Create The Home Office Of Your Dreams

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Whether you work full-time at home or occasionally need to conduct business in the evenings or on the weekends, a home office a great way to utilize an extra room. A dedicated workspace in your home can be designed to increase productivity and comfort. Here are 5 ideas to get you started.

CHOOSING A CHAIR

Invest in a good office chair. Investing in an ergonomic office chair is essential. You may be spending anywhere from 30 to 50 hours a week sitting in it, so your back will thank you. Purchasing one with multiple adjustments is ideal so it fits you just right.

THE RIGHT LIGHTING

Switch up your lighting. Fluorescent lighting has been proven to be hard on the eyes. Make the switch to LED or halogen light bulbs in your home office and try to let in as much natural light as possible. Also, consider finding a desk lamp to reduce headaches and eye strain.

KEEP IT CLEAN

Keep essentials in reach and organized. Nothing says productivity like a clean, neat workspace. Select a desk with a lot of storage or install creative shelving to keep items like pens, pencils, extra batteries, calculator, notepads, and more stored within arm’s reach.

SPICE IT UP

Decorate bright. Pick a color you love and use it to spice up the room. Use cheery yellow or red or relaxing tones like green and blue, instead of beiges and browns.

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE VIEW

Aim for the view. If possible, place your desk so you are facing a window instead of a blank wall. Natural light can do wonders for staying alert and you can give yourself a short mental break when necessary by looking to the outdoors.

THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – Pre-Halloween Celebrations Continue!

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With so many Halloween events taking place in Chicago, no wonder Chicagoans must celebrate all month long!  And this weekend is no exception!!

As dusk arrives Saturday evening, our creative communities will assemble on State Street from Lake to Van Buren Streets for the 5th annual Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade.  This event is a magical evening (6 p.m.-8 p.m.) parade that celebrates Halloween as the “artist’s holiday.”  It’s a powerful procession filled with large spectacle puppets, legions of lanterns, costumes, performances, music, dance, dramatic lighting and more set against the backdrop of Chicago’s skyline!  Afterwards, attend the free parties at Millennium Park and Maggie Daley Park!!

The 4th annual Campfire Horrorscontinues this Friday at Northerly Island (1521 S. Linn White Dr.) showcasing scary classics ranging from tame to terrifying.  Again, each screening will be accompanied by campfires, marshmallow roasting, Mars Wrigley treats, free popcorn and hot beverages.  This Friday’s screenings include:

Shaun of the Dead (R) (7 p.m.)
A man’s uneventful life is disrupted by the zombie apocalypse, and he decides to use the opportunity to save his friends as a chance to win back his ex.

I Know What You Did Last Summer (R) (8:45 p.m.)
Four young friends bound by a tragic accident are reunited when they find themselves being stalked by a hook-wielding maniac in their small seaside town.

Come celebrate this Spooktacular time of year at this Saturday’s Halloween in the Parks where there is something for everyone:

Pumpkin Patch (10 a.m.-1 p.m.) – Sheridan Park (910 S. Aberdeen St.)
Enjoy this pumpkin patch featuring treats, costumes, pumpkins, petting zoo, inflatables, and face painting for youths 3 through 12 years.

Pumpkin Patch (10 a.m.-2 p.m.) – Portage Park (4100 N. Long Ave.)
Portage Park brings a little bit of the country to the city with its annual pumpkin patch.  Join them for an afternoon in the park at this family-friendly event where everyone just loves pumpkins!!

Fall Festival (10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.) – Jesse White Park (410 N. Chicago Ave.)
Enjoy a day in the park jam packed with fun fall activities, including games, bounce house, and pumpkin paintings.  For children ages 3 through 12 years.

Halloween Festival (11 a.m.-3 p.m.) – Pulaski Park (1419 W. Blackhawk St.)
This festival features Inflatables, pony rides, hayrides, face painting, cold-blooded creatures show, and concessions.  The cost is $10 per person.

Pumpkin Patch (11 a.m.-3 p.m.) – Rainey Park (4350 W. 79th St.)
You are invited for a goblin good time while enjoying a pumpkin patch, pony rides, food, games, arts and crafts, treats, face painting, hayrides, pictures and more!  Free admission but nominal fee per activity.

Fall Festival (12 p.m.-5 p.m.) – Maggie Daley Park (337 E. Randolph St.)
Join in a fun, family fest filled with fall activities, crafts, and much more family fun.  After the fest at 5p.m., join us as we are led to the Arts in the Dark Parade.  Best of all it’s free!

Halloween Campfire (2 p.m.-5 p.m.) – Kilbourn Park (3501 N. Kilbourn Ave.)
Join us for family fun in the park and S’mores!  $5 fee is per child 3 through11, parents are free.

Little ghosts and goblins of all ages will have a howlin’ good time at Brookfield Zoo’s family-friendly Halloween event Boo! at the Zoo held every Saturday and Sunday through October 27th.  This event features candy stations, kids’ crafts, a hayride, a corn maze, a 1 p.m. costume parade, a 1:30 p.m. dance party, animal chats, hourly pumpkin smashing, and more!  Come dressed-up in your favorite costume and head to Boo! at the Zoo for a day filled with fun and not-so-scary festivities for the entire family!!

Are You Ready to Celebrate Halloween?

CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS: Bucktown and Wicker Park, Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Chicago Loop, River North, Evanston

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Bucktown and Wicker Park: Get in the Halloween spirit with a free pumpkin carving event at Remedy! It’s Weird Wednesday: Annual Pumpkin Carving Party on Wednesday October 23. There are two sessions: one at 7 pm and one at 11 pm. There is no cover, but it is a 21 and up event. Pumpkins and carving tools are provided (while supplies last). Specials include $8 Miller High Life bottles paired with an Evan Williams shot. Patrons who arrive early can enjoy Remedy’s Halloween decor and a half-price everything happy hour from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. 

Lakeview: Fall is the perfect time for the Lincoln Avenue Beer Stroll! On Sunday October 20 from 3 to 6 pm, you have two routes to choose from. Businesses along Lincoln Avenue will transform into tasting destinations! This is a ticketed event and includes beer samples from local breweries paired with complimentary bites. Over 20 local businesses and restaurants are participating and there are over 30 different types of craft beer to try on each route! If you want to get in the Halloween spirit, come dressed in costume for your chance to win the Costume Contest! Each Beer Taster will receive a specially printed beer tasting glass and map guide listing each beer & business location. Tickets are $35 in advance and $45 the day of. Find route information and participating breweries here.

Lincoln Park: Need a new after-work happy hour? Join the Chicago History Museum for History Happy Hour on Tuesday, October 29. The series features two free drinks and activities highlighting their collections and exhibits. Specialty cocktails will be provided by El Jimador Tequila with a Habanero Margarita and a Paloma. DJ Lunatik will be providing music for the evening. There will be Scary Legends Storytelling where you can listen to ghost stories and hear scary moments from Chicago’s history. There’s also a Creepy Collections exhibit where you can discover the history behind mysterious and spooky objects pulled from the Museum’s archives for one night only. There will also be a cash bar and food for purchase. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door, $15 for members in advance, and $20 for members at the door. Find more information and buy your tickets here.

Chicago Loop: Really get into the spirit with the Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade! On Saturday October 19, starting at 6 pm, the parade is on State Street from Lake to Van Buren. This magical evening parade celebrates Halloween as the “artists holiday”. The event draws together world-renowned institutions, celebrated Chicago organizations, important programs like After School Matters, and aspiring artists in every field.  Arts in the Dark delights the audience with unique floats, spectacle puppets, and creative performances that are exceptionally dramatic set against the backdrop of historic State Street! Find more information on the parade’s official website.

River North: This Halloween, Joy District is throwing it back to your favorite summer camp slasher movies. On Thursday, October 31 beginning at 9 pm, dress in costume and enjoy drinks, summer-camp inspired decor, and performances throughout the night. Your ticket includes entry and one free drink! You must be 21 to attend this event. Early bird tickets are just $20- so don’t wait! Get yours here today!

Evanston: It’s time for Fall Fest Evanston! On Saturday October 26 from 12 to 4 pm, celebrate the fall season in style. You’ll enjoy eats and treats from Slim Kim Popcorn, La Preferida, Blue Moon, Nuestro Queso, Giacobbino’s, PRE Grass-Fed Beef, Matt’s Cookies, and more. This event is hosted by and located at Jewel-Osco (2485 Howard St). Find more information here.

RACHEL HOOVLER & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

Restaurant Review – Brown Bag Seafood Co.

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I love seafood, but it can be so expensive to order when eating out! This week took me to an awesome, affordable, counter-serve seafood restaurant: Brown Bag Seafood Co. The atmosphere is just delightful, with bright blue accents, industrial light fixtures, and light maple tables. The concept is simple: you grab a laminated menu card and check off your choices with a dry erase pen. First, you pick your protein. They have a large list of choices including grilled salmon, crispy cod, grilled or crispy shrimp, seared tuna, curry fish cakes, grilled chicken, and more. The second step is to choose your “style”. The first is the Powerbox: a blend of brown rice, quinoa, wheatberry, spinach, and herbs. There’s also the Veggiebox: a blend of sautéed brussels, broccoli, green beans, kale, fresh spinach, and herbs. You can also choose a Greens & Grains, which is half a powerbox and half a veggiebox. You can also choose a Salad: leafy greens, kale, carrots, red cabbage, crispy onion, shaved parmesan, and herbs. There’s also a Sandwich: fresh bread, slaw, herb sauce, pickled red onion, and herbs. I chose to try the Tacos: flour tortillas, slaw, herb sauce, pickled red onions, jalapeño, and cilantro. I subbed out corn tortillas and chose grilled salmon for my protein. These were absolutely wonderful! The salmon was perfectly cooked- crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. I loved the slaw- it had a great, tangy flavor. My dad ordered the Grilled Salmon Firebox: sriracha-sesame soy glazed salmon over grains, with spicy kimchee, jalapeño, and cilantro. This was fantastic as well! The grain mix was really tasty- sometimes they can be so bland and lackluster, but this was really awesome. I loved the addition of the kimchee- it gave the dish a lot of depth and spice! My mom ordered the Grilled Salmon Veggiebox, which I was also impressed by. The veggies were fresh, cooked well, and packed full of flavor. I thought the quality of the food was awesome for the price and left feeling full and satisfied. I will definitely be back to try more items here! 

Brown Bag Seafood Co. has six brick and mortar locations in the city, as well as six Dockside locations. You can find location information here. Brown Bag also does online ordering and catering. Check out this awesome spot on their website.

RACHEL HOOVLER & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

5 Fall Design Ideas That Will Boost Your Creativity

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As homeowners pull out Halloween decorations, however, they often take the opportunity to look around their homes and make some more permanent changes. Whether it means splashing walls with a fresh coat of paint or rolling out a new rug, even the smallest changes can make a difference in the way a home looks.

With the cooler fall temperatures, this is the perfect time to tackle those interior design projects homeowners have put off all summer. As an additional bonus, your home will be ready for entertaining friends and family this holiday season. Here are eight of the latest design trends to help inform your decisions as you redo your own living spaces.

Reclaimed Wood

Not only is reclaimed wood good for the environment, but it is attractive, as well. You can craft everything from light fixtures to desks using salvaged wood.

Space-Saving Design

Even if you aren’t challenged for space in your new home, you can always use more space. With a little creativity, you can free up extra storage space and extend the size of your home.

Mixing Metals

Historically designers have worked hard to achieve uniformity in the metals in a room. If a kitchen had stainless steel appliances, the last thing a designer would consider was gold knobs and handles on cabinets. But multiple metals in one room is gaining in popularity, as demonstrated in these designs.

Mismatched Colors and Patterns

Instead of painstakingly matching every item in each room, this new design trend frees you up to pair items that wouldn’t have normally been matched. With the right touch, you can even make different patterns and clashing colors work together.

Mixing Some Old with Some New

It’s a great time for homeowners on a limited budget, since budget decorating is all the rage. Combine new items with finds from thrift stores and garage sales for a trendy, eclectic look that catches the eye and impresses guests.

This fall, update the look of your home with one of these exciting design trends. You’ll have something to show off when family visits for the holidays and you’ll give your home a new look going into the new year. Best of all, many of these ideas can be done with minimal expense, keeping your budget free as you prepare for the gift-buying season.

Kathy’s Home & Garden Tips – Have a Safe and Fun Halloween

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Much of Halloween safety is just common sense but it’s always a good idea to do a quick review. Twice as many children are hit by motor vehicles on Halloween than any other night of the year. Please do try to pay more attention when driving on Halloween. Make eye contact with children at crosswalks. And parents, tell your children to do the same. Making eye contact assures that both drivers and children see each other and keeps accidents to a minimum. 

Carving pumpkins can be a dangerous undertaking, even for an adult. Let younger children decorate with markers, paint, glitter glue, and stickers. Parents can carve a few to light. Speaking of lighting pumpkins, skip the candles altogether. They’re too dangerous. Battery-operated LED lights are much safer and flicker just like candles. They can even rotate colors! 

Make your home safe for trick-or-treaters by clearing a path to the door; free from lawn implements, toys, or decorations. Keep decorations off the stairs and railings. Hand out treats, rather than letting children grab from the bowl. If you have a pet, it might be best to have a family member stay with them in another room. Doorbells ringing constantly and people tramping up and down stairs can make even the most placid pet go a little crazy. Chocolate can make pets very ill and Xylitol (found in many treats) is extremely toxic to dogs. 

As for costumes, keep a few basic principles in mind. Use makeup instead of masks that obscure vision. Be sure to test on a small area for skin sensitivity. Costumes should be short enough as to avoid tripping, especially when walking up stairs. Speaking of walking, no oversized shoes or high heels. Gym shoes are best; boots if the weather is wet. Bright costumes are best but put reflective tape on costumes, candy bags, and pails. Keep accessories to a minimum. Swords and other accessories should be made of soft plastic. Do not use decorative contact lenses, they are not safe and can cause permanent eye damage. 

Plan a route with older children and accompany younger ones. Encourage children to stay on sidewalks. They should avoid alleys and running across lawns. Use crosswalks and never run between parked cars. Only go to well-lit houses. Don’t eat any candy until it’s been checked at home. Tampering is very rare, but some people do give out old or improperly wrapped treats. You can check out some dentists that will buy or trade treats for toys.  

KATHLEEN WEAVER-ZECH & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – Let the Pre-Halloween Celebrations Begin!

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Now that the fall season is in full swing around here, it’s time for Chicagoans to begin their pre-Halloween celebrations!

Experience 2019’s most spine-chilling fun run/walk at the 8th annual Crypt 5K Run/Walk through the grounds of Rosehill Cemetery (5800 N. Ravenswood Ave.) in the Edgewater neighborhood this Saturday (7 p.m.-10 p.m.). Run or walk the candlelit course of this sprawling 350-acre Victorian-era cemetery that opened in 1864 and is laden with gargoyles, monuments, mausoleums, and frightful scenic paths. And then there’s the eternal spirits who reside in Rosehill!  In addition, there’s a post run/walk pumpkin party at the Fireside Restaurant & Lounge (5739 N. Ravenswood Ave.) where you can celebrate your cemetery escape. Come and check out fall’s most “spirited” event!

The Chicago Park District has announced the schedule for its 4th annual outdoor horror movie series Campfire Horrors returning to Northerly Island (1521 S. Winn White Dr.) on Fridays throughout the month of October. Enjoy scary classics ranging from tame to terrifying.  Each screening will be accompanied by campfires, marshmallow roasting, Mars Wrigley treats, free popcorn, and hot beverages. This Friday’s screening is Stephen King’s “Misery” featuring menacing and memorable performances from actors Kathy Bates and James Caan!!

Come celebrate this spooktacular time of year in Chicago’s parks and enjoy Halloween in the Parks.  This weekend’s kid-friendly events are:

SATURDAY

Fall Festival (10 a.m.-3 p.m. & Sunday) – North Park Village Center Park (5801 N. Pulaski Rd.)
Activities include a scarecrow building contest, children’s nature crafts, storytelling, live music, a market, tours, and seasonal refreshments for purchase!

Pumpkin Patch (11 a.m.-3 p.m.) — Hale Park (6258 W. 62nd St.)
You are invited for a goblin good time with a pumpkin patch, pony rides, food, games, arts and crafts, treats, face painting, hayrides, pictures, and more!

Pumpkinpalooza (11 a.m.-3 p.m.) – Skinner Park (1331 W. Adams St.)
Families will be able to pick pumpkins, pet farm animals, play games, jump in inflatables, and much more!

SUNDAY

Mini Pumpkin Patch (12 p.m.-3 p.m.) – Bell Park (3020 N. Oak Park Ave.)
Enjoy games, crafts, inflatables, pumpkin painting, and pick your own pumpkin.  Make sure you bring your camera to take a fall family photo or selfie!

If you’re still trying to embrace fall, Saturday brings the 5th annual Bacon and Beer Classic to Soldier Field (1410 S. Museum Campus Dr.) in the South Loop.  On hand will be over 100 craft beers from the best local breweries, unlimited original bacon-inspired dishes, music, games, giveaways, and so much more!  Bacon and beer – it’s a marriage made in heaven!!

Lastly, the Chicago Marathon begins and ends in Grant Park (337 E. Randolph St.) in The Loop on Sunday with a post-race party in Butler Field (100 S. Lake Shore Dr.)!  Even if you’re not a participating runner, come cheer on the runners and join the party!!

Time to Bring on Halloween!

CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS: Lincoln Park, Bucktown and Wicker Park, Lakeview, Lincoln Square, Logan Square, Oak Park

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Lincoln Park: It’s time for Spooktacular 2019! The 11th Annual Clark Street Spooktacular is a fabulous Halloween event for all ages. On Saturday October 27 from 1 to 4 pm, participating businesses on Clark Street from Armitage to Diversey will transform into trick-or-treat spots featuring candy and surprises for the whole family! Along the way, you’ll see jugglers, stilt walkers, and magicians. Trick-or-treaters can also show off their costumes for a chance to win prizes at the annual Spooktacular Costume Contest hosted by Team Rehabilitation Physical Therapy (2727 N. Clark). Find more information here.

Bucktown and Wicker Park: Chicago families looking for a safe place to trick-or-treat- look no further! In the Wicker Park, Bucktown, and West Town neighborhoods, local businesses and shops are hosting a neighborhood trick-or-treat extravaganza. The event is on October 31 from 3 to 6 pm! There will be more than 60 stops along the route running from Halsted to Western Aves. Participating businesses will have balloons on display- so you know where to stop! This event is free to attend. Find more information here.

Lakeview: Fall is the perfect time to find a new trivia night! Will’s Northwoods Inn has your back. They host Trivia Girl’s Team Trivia on Tuesday nights at 8 pm. Bring your own team or join one there- you can have up to 7 people! You’ll compete for prizes (the top three teams will get  prizes) in this free, live hosted event. Will’s has a variety of specials, including $6 bombs, $5 Sweet Tea Vodka cocktails, $5 Jack Daniels cocktails, and $4 Guinness pints. Find more information on their website!

Lincoln Square: Dovetail Brewery and Begyle Brewing are together again for their fourth annual Oktoberfestiversary! For two days this weekend, Saturday October 12 and Sunday October 13, they’re celebrating the neighborhood, the season, and of course, beer! Each day is from 12 pm to 10 pm. The festival is free to attend- with a suggested $5 donation. There will be special tappings from both breweries on Saturday and Sunday, with a large selection of beer on tap to quench your thirst. You’ll get to sample food from Chicago’s finest food trucks and pop-ups all weekend! Featured food trucks include DonerMen, Three Legged Tacos, Paulina Meat Market, Our House Pizza, and many more. There will be activities for all ages including balloon creations from Mind Blowing Balloons, skee ball courtesy of The SKEE League: Chicago, coloring activities, and an art wall! Find more information here.

Logan Square: Mark your calendars for PumpkinFest! On Saturday October 19 from 10 am to 2 pm at Unity Park, you’ll experience a classic fall event. There will be free pumpkins (while supplies last), pumpkin decorating, a costume parade, popcorn, cider or juice, face painting, treats, music, and more. Find more information here!

Oak Park: This weekend- if you dare- join the Park District of Oak Park for a spooky stroll through Austin Gardens! This Saturday, October 12 from 6 to 7:30 pm, you’ll spend the evening strolling through the spooky setting of Austin Gardens, carve or decorate your own pumpkin, get your face painted, enjoy marshmallows and family-friend ghost stories around the fire, and finish the evening with a magic show. Halloween costumes are very much encouraged! Each person attending must register- which you can do right here. Get ready to get spooky! 

RACHEL HOOVLER & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

Restaurant Review – Northside Bar & Grill

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On a rainy, chilly Chicago evening, you’ve got to find a cozy and inviting spot for dinner. And find one we did: Northside Bar & Grill in Wicker Park. The atmosphere is wonderful, with lush green plants, a fireplace, high ceilings, cozy couch seating, dark wood tables; the list goes on and on. We came in on Saturday night around 6:45 and were seated right away – always a plus in my book. Their regular menu offers a variety of appetizers, salads, sandwiches, and burgers. They also have a rotating daily special menu. My eye was immediately caught by the Chicken Giardiniera Sandwich: grilled chicken, provolone cheese, hot giardiniera, and pickled red onion on a ciabatta bun. Easy choice for me! I chose their seasonal vegetable instead of fries. This was delicious! I love ciabatta bread and it was the perfect base for this sandwich. In my opinion, giardiniera is a perfect condiment- it goes well with anything! This was no exception. The chicken was grilled perfectly, a little crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. The seasonal vegetable was a medley, with zucchini, broccoli, carrots, and onion. My boyfriend ordered The Big Burger: a hand-formed Angus prime patty with tomato, red onion, lettuce, and cheddar cheese; all on a brioche bun and served with fries. This was very tasty! The burger was cooked well and I love a brioche bun. We all agreed that the fries were the real star though. The texture was fantastic- crispy on the outside and perfectly soft on the inside! We have been trying to figure out how they came out so well. Our theory is that they were battered fries- dipped into some sort of flour mixture prior to frying. However they were cooked, they were delicious! My friend ordered the Steak Fajitas: skillet steak, grilled onions, and peppers, served with all the fajita fixings: corn tortillas, guacamole, salsa, and sour cream. These were super tasty! I loved the seasoning on the steak and the grilled veggies were very good. 

Northside Bar & Grill is open Mondays through Fridays from 11:30 am to 2 am, Saturdays from 11 am to 3 am, and Sundays from 11 am to 2 am. They have several weekly events, including an Open Mic Night and a Trivia Night. Find more information here.

RACHEL HOOVLER & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

Remodeling Mistakes You Should Avoid

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Remodeling your home? If so, there’s some planning required on your part before you dive into whatever project you’re working on. Keep in mind that while certain things you do will help the project in a positive way, there are also things that you might do that could totally sabotage your efforts.

Are you a novice at home remodeling? Then make sure you don’t make the following mistakes:

Not Making All Necessary Decisions Before Moving Forward

If you don’t take the time to scope out every detail of your project before construction even starts, you’re making a huge mistake. A reputable contractor will understand this, and will carefully walk you through the entire project from A to Z in order for you to be able to anticipate all the scenarios that might pop up along the way. But in addition to these scenarios that need to taken into consideration, you’ll also need to think about things like paint colors, faucet selection, hardware choices, and other details like these.

You might think these are minor decisions that need to be made, but you’d be surprised at how much they can influence the overall product. The hardware you choose might not be the ones delivered, or the faucets you want might be on backorder. Things like this can make a 4-week project turn into an 8-week ordeal.

Make sure you make these decisions well in advance to avoid any hiccups.

Not Having a Detailed Floor Plan Designed

Working without a design drafted up is a huge faux-pas. How are you going to know precisely how everything will be laid out without a solid floor plan? There are tons of elements that go into making up a space, and having a detailed plan in place will help you nip any problems in the bud before they become major issues.

Your best bet? Hire an architect and a designer.

Changing Your Mind Too Often

OK, so it’s pretty common for people to change their minds about a previous decision made when it comes to home renovations. And while this might be fine the odd time, changing your mind too many times can not only completely complicate the project, but it will also cost you a lot more at the end of the day.

Every time you change your mind about something, it’ll result in a charge order. This costs money. You’ll also be throwing off the scheduling with every little change you order. Think about it: the change need to be communicated to everyone on the job so that they can ditch the old plan and get with the new. This will basically delay the completion of the project.

It’s fine to make a change here and there, but you need to be aware of how this will affect the overall job.

Not Having an Emergency Fund

Planning ahead is key, not only to make sure the end product is exactly what you had envisioned, but also to make sure the project stays with your budget. But of course, it’s highly unlikely for home remodeling projects to stay well within budget, which is why an emergency fund needs to be set up and kept on the side in case the costs are a little more than you had initially anticipated (and they probably will).

If you plan well enough from the get-go, you should be able to comfortably get away with a 5% or 10% contingency.

Putting a Bandaid on a Major Problem

You might want to reface your kitchen cabinets, for instance, but sometimes a lot more work will be needed. There may be times when the entire kitchen cabinetry may need to be ripped out and replaced entirely if the materials are rotting or sagging. There may even be times when entire walls may need to be replaced, or in much more extreme cases, the entire house may need to be ripped down as is the case with faulty foundation.

Be honest with yourself, and be realistic about what really needs to be done so that you’re not just covering up a problem temporarily. Listen to the advice of your contractor about what he suggests needs to happen. Hopefully, you’ve chosen a competent and reliable contractor who will give you open, honest answers that are best for you, and not just for his wallet.

Don’t Get in the Way

Want to disrupt the workers and delay the completion of your project? Getting in the way will do just that. Sure, you want to make sure everything is going the way you want it to, but don’t be a nag. Sorry to sound brash here, but every time the workers need to stop to talk to you or to work around you, it causes a delay (not to mention annoys the workers).

If the conversation is important enough that it can’t wait, that’s one thing. But to chat up the plumber or electrician about every minor thing is just a downright distraction.

Do yourself a favor – hire a contractor, and other professionals involved in home remodeling. They’ll give you a plethora of advice about you should and shouldn’t do before, and during the construction. Doing your due diligence will not only save you time and headaches, it’ll save you money too.