House Confident

Hi Reader, A quick note before we begin... Summer’s on the way and it’s the season of home improvement projects. Whether you’re working on a simple project (like replacing your stove, our topic for today) or a full-on renovation, sometimes you just need a second opinion or an outside perspective. If that’s you, come join me for a free live Q&A at 9AM PT (12PM ET) Saturday, June 20 — that’s two weeks from tomorrow. I’ll be hanging out for an hour to answer your questions and help you make...

Hi Reader, Almost every client who comes to me wanting a new fridge actually wants a bigger fridge. The problem is that a bigger fridge means more room. More room means the cabinets beside it have to be modified, rebuilt, or replaced. And all of a sudden, you’re one step closer to a much, much bigger project than you bargained for. So before you start shopping, the first question you should be asking yourself isn’t "which fridge should I buy?" It's "am I willing to change my kitchen for it?"...

Hi Reader, One of the biggest parts of any kitchen reno is the appliances. I get into the reasons for this here, but suffice it to say — making sure that you have all your ducks in a row before you buy your appliances is really important. So today I thought I’d run through what I wish all my clients knew before they set their hearts (and their wallets!) on a so-called dream appliance: 1. Double check your electrical requirements Does the new appliance have different power requirements than...

Hi Reader, If your budget forced you to cut half your vision, what would you absolutely protect? There will be many points during your home reno or construction project where you’ll need to decide how to spend your money. Unless you have an unlimited budget, there will always be something that has to give. Knowing from the start what is truly important versus what is nice but not actually necessary is a huge help when those decisions come up. The Non-Negotiables are things like: Stuff that...

Hi Reader, Last week we talked about contingency funds and why renovations need a bigger buffer than new builds. The short answer is: you never really know what's hiding behind the walls until you open them. But there is one thing that can help you take a more educated guess, and that’s the age of your home. Era of construction is one of the most reliable clues a contractor has before a single wall gets opened. Different decades mean different materials, different codes… and different...

Hi Reader, Renovation budgeting would be so much easier with x-ray vision. You’d be able to look at a wall and see exactly what’s hiding behind it: Old wiring that hasn't been touched since the '60s Copper pipes that are wearing a little thin Newspapers that make a great time capsule but awful insulation Black mold or water damage that might as well have a “💸💸💸” sign beside them And while a good contractor can make an educated guess on what to expect based on clues like the era of your home,...

Hi Reader, When it comes to home construction and reno projects, there’s one conversation that gets avoided more than any other: the budget. Homeowners avoid it for a few reasons: They’re not sure where to begin. Totally understandable! Construction budgets are complicated and can quickly feel overwhelming. They’re not sure how the process works or what to expect. Is now the right time to talk about money? They don’t want to challenge or question the professionals they’ve hired — after all,...