One of the reasons people remodel their homes is to improve comfort. Unfortunately, the process can be anything but comfortable, if not downright chaotic.

If you're planning to remodel your kitchen or bathroom or to add on much needed space, we have some advice.

We have made our living for more than 20 years as remodeling contractors. During that time, we have helped hundreds of homeowners transform their remodeling dreams into a reality.

Whether we're talking with a prospective client or addressing consumers at a home and garden show, we always begin our discussion by stating the three most important steps of a remodeling project. They are, in order of importance, planning, planning and, you guessed it, planning. We believe that planning is the best defense against things going awry. It is much easier on the pocketbook, construction schedule and nerves to move a wall on the drawing board using an eraser than to tear out the real McCoy using a hammer and prybar.

Seat-of-the-pants planning is risky. Most decisions should be made before the first nail is driven. Size, design, finish selections (doors, hardware, plumbing fixtures, appliances, counters, cabinets, flooring, paint colors, etc.), schedule (commencement and completion dates), contract language (yes, there should be a contract) and, last but not least, cost are among the many details that should be worked out before signing on the bottom line. Pressure from a contractor to begin a job right away and make decisions along the way is a recipe for disaster. Run the other way when someone suggests doing this.

Part of good planning is making decisions that will give you the best bang for your buck. Some people think they can save money by performing some of the remodeling tasks themselves or by using home-center “bargain basement” products such as plumbing fixtures, lighting and paint. Be careful not be penny-wise and pound-foolish. For example, some homeowners will try to save money by reusing plumbing fixtures and appliances. The old stuff might not look bad in its original setting, but with new walls and fixtures, an old tub or appliance can look mighty ugly. The few hundred dollars that you save in purchasing a new fixture can cost you thousands in the long run in diminished value. Not to mention the fact that an old appliance might not be energy-efficient, or repair parts might be impossible to find.

The design of your project has a tremendous impact on how it is perceived and, hence, its value. Installing basic cabinets and counters and expensive ceramic tile on the floor is ill-advised. This creates a mix of low-end and high-end finishes. It would be better to spend less on the floor and more on the cabinets and counters...for uniformity. The same mistake is often made when choosing appliances. Avoid picking one high-end product and then choosing mid- or bottom-tier items to keep your budget intact. This approach gives an imbalanced look to the room. A better solution is to start with more affordable products across the board.

Painting is one of the most popular do-it-yourself tasks. Almost anyone can paint, or so they think. You can buy the most beautiful doors and trim, and have the best wall finish, and destroy them with a substandard finish. When it comes to painting, the mistake that most people make is buying bargain-basement paint. If you buy cheap paint, you'll be applying coat after coat trying to get the paint to cover. Cheap paint has cheap ingredients. It requires more coats for good coverage, fades more quickly, won't wash well and will require repainting sooner. Buy high-quality, brand-name paint.

Need to cut costs? Consider using less expensive finishes that mimic the more expensive stuff. For example, some modern plastic laminate counter patterns can look exactly like natural granite. Keep in mind that, if necessary, counters can be replaced down the road when dollars permit. The places not to cut corners are in the walls with plumbing and electrical. Installing extra outlets and wiring for extra phone and fax lines and running cable for televisions and computers can cost pennies on the dollar while walls are open. Doing so after the fact can cost a lot.

For more information on how to get the most for your remodeling dollar and how to get through a remodeling project unscathed, pick up a copy of our book...“Home Remodeling for Dummies.”