Many people make resolutions this time of year–lose weight, pay off debt, on and on. Resolutions aren’t a bad thing if they help motivate. When it comes to home remodeling resolutions, there are plenty to try:

Plan Your Remodeling

The key ingredient in any home remodeling project is planning. Whether it’s a kitchen remodeling or a room addition, plan it out. Think about what you want and why. How do you use your space? What might make it function better? Then work with a good contractor to make it happen.

Find the Right Contractor

Contractor issues are one of the biggest hurdles to remodeling, but they don’t have to be. If you do your homework, really check references and make sure the contractor specializes in your type of remodeling, you should be fine.

One thing people forget is to go look at the contractor’s references and ask lots of questions. You might see tiles out of alignment, cabinet doors that are uneven…it’s all in the details. A good contractor should be happy to show you his or her remodeling work.

Don’t Overspend When Remodeling

Sure, many remodeling projects go over budget because of unexpected surprises, but you can build that into your project. Avoid letting the remodeling project run on and on because you keep asking for more changes. Set a budget you can live with, add a 10 to 15 percent contingency and then call it a day. If you’re doing a kitchen remodeling, for example, that 10 percent can add up–try not to let it go higher.

Check out this handy remodeling estimator that takes you through several scenarios in terms of level of finish and cost.

As the New Year approaches, think about what types of remodeling projects you want to do. Then make a few resolutions–ones you can keep.