[SPONSORED]
The personal stories of one Realtor’s battles and triumphs in the highly-competitive Bay Area Real Estate Market, seeking to illuminate and humanize the very real ups-and-downs of homeownership.
Renovations and building projects — no matter the scale — always benefit from some critical DOs and DON’Ts.
Hola! I’m back from a quick trip to Espana, having taken advantage of a pause in my schedule to visit my sister, Jill, in her new apartment (and in her new life) in the historic “Gotic” neighborhood of Barcelona, where she’s officially an “expat,” retired, and absolutely thriving! (Thank you Sarah, Kate and Elizabeth for the coverage.)
Barcelona is a walker’s paradise (flat and scenic), so we’d start the day with a stroll on the beach with her dog, Luna, find a local “cafeteria” for a “cafe con leche,” and then explore the numerous museums, cathedrals, markets, art galleries and shops along the way before retiring in the late afternoon. One evening, we took a cooking class where we learned to make paella and potato tortillas (potato omelettes), and on another day, we met up with a group of like-minded travelers for a “Gaudi Bicycle Tour” around the city that was capped off by a stop at the world famous “La Sagrada Familia” (The Holy Family).
The largest, and as yet, unfinished Catholic cathedral in the world, the Sagrada Família began construction in 1882 under architect Francisco de Paula del Villar before Antoni Gaudí took over as chief architect just one year later, in 1883. Considered his “maxnum opus,” Gaudí devoted the remainder of his life to the project. At the time of his unexpected death in 1926, less than a quarter of the building had been completed. On February 20, 2026, the basilica reached its final height of 172.5 meters (566 ft) when the last section of the central tower was lifted into place.
Attracting more than 4.5 million visitors each year, the cost of construction exceeds $25 million ANNUALLY, paid for entirely by ticket sales and private donations. (No one knows exactly how much has been spent to date.) Although work began in 1882, in 2016 it was discovered that the basilica never had an official building permit. (Gee, you think someone would have noticed.) To legalize its status, a special plan was approved in 2019, wherein the foundation agreed to pay a total of €4.6 million in fees and roughly $41 million USD in fines . . . (That’s an expensive building permit to be sure.)
But for those of us on a budget (and that’s MOST of us), here are the DO’s and DON’Ts of home construction, courtesy of ChatGPT:
1) Do set a realistic budget—with a contingency. Your construction budget should include:
- hard costs (labor/materials)
- soft costs (permits, plans, engineering, design)
- temporary housing/storage if needed
- 10–20% contingency for surprises
(If you skip this, your “dream project” can turn into a series of expensive compromises.)
2) Do define the scope of work before you break ground. Be crystal clear about:
- what you’re building
- what’s staying
- what’s changing
- what level of finishes you want
(Changing plans mid-project is one of the fastest ways to blow your budget and timeline.)
3) Do hire the right team from the start. The right people matter more than almost anything else:
- architect/designer
- contractor
- structural engineer (if needed)
- expeditor/project manager (if applicable)
(Hire for experience, communication, and references—not just the lowest bid.)
4) Do get multiple bids. Always compare at least 2–3 qualified contractors. Look beyond price and compare:
- scope of work
- allowances
- exclusions
- timeline
- supervision plan
- payment schedule
(The adage “you get what you pay for,” is absolutely true with respect to renovations.)
5) Do check licenses, insurance, and references before signing a contract.Before signing anything, verify:
- contractor license
- liability insurance
- workers’ comp
- recent client references
- similar completed projects
(And yes—actually call the references.)
6) Do get everything in writing. This includes:
- scope of work
- materials/finishes
- payment schedule
- start/completion expectations
- change order process
- warranty terms
(Define what ISN’T covered as well as what is.)
7) Do understand the permit and approval process. Make sure you know:
- what permits are required
- who is pulling them
- what and when inspections will happen
- whether zoning, design review, or HOA approvals apply.
(Never assume “the contractor is handling it” without confirming, and ALWAYS have the permits finalized!)
8) Do prioritize function over trends. Choose layouts and materials that support how you actually live:
- storage
- traffic flow
- lighting
- outlet placement
- durable finishes
- maintenance needs, etc.
(Pretty is nice, but practical is what you’ll appreciate day in and day out.)
9) Do make selections early. Specify your choices as much as possible before demo or framing begin:
- flooring
- tile
- plumbing fixtures
- appliances
- windows/doors
- cabinetry
- lighting
(Late decisions cause delays, rushed choices, and substitution headaches.)
10) Do stay involved in the process, and communicate regularly. Even with a great team, you need:
- regular check-ins
- site walk-throughs
- written updates
- quick decisions when issues arise
Having remodeled seven of my own homes, not to mention hundreds of others for our Sellers, the best advice I can give you regarding any renovation is to set a budget, stay flexible, be coachable, be organized, hire professionals, pivot when necessary, be solution-oriented, and expect delays along the way (that’s not just a recipe for renovation, but for life).
Whatever you decide to tackle, let’s just hope your project is not as drawn out as La Sagrada Familia; that’s definitely been a long time coming. (I’d have fired my contractor long ago.)
How can we help you?
Julie Gardner & Sarah Abel | Compass Realty
Not just Realtors, but consultants in all things house and home, we’re here to educate, explore, examine and refer . . . In short, you may count on us to take care of your home as if it were our own and anyone who knows us, knows we take pretty darn good care of our homes.
Learn MORE
