Hiring a general contractor is one of the most important parts of the home renovation process. Renovations can either be frustrating or exciting and hiring the best person for the job can make all the difference in determining that outcome.

It’s fun to dream about how nice your home will look after a remodel. Whether you’re doing a total redesign, creating your dream home, or simply updating some old appliances and features, there’s a lot to plan before getting started. Here are 10 things to make sure you know before starting your project:

Your walls are cracking, there’s mold on the baseboards, the lead paint is chipped and dated from groovier eras; it might be time to consider some home renovation. As homeowners and property investors, making the decision to renovate can increase property value, equity, and upgrade any antiquated home, apartment, or complex.

The idea of remodeling can be an exciting prospect. You have a new vision for your home, but watching a few DIY videos or binging the HGTV channel won’t likely provide you the expertise to start gutting your living space.