Tools for Remodeling

Financial Tools

• If you want to redo your bathroom completely, you're likely looking at spending well into the thousands, if not the tens of thousands. How are you going to pay for this? A home equity loan is one solution, or a short-term loan that you consolidate with other debts. While your improvements may be tax-deductible, will the costs be enough to merit an itemized deduction? Home remodeling tools are available online that will help you figure out what the payment on your equity loan would be; compare offers between lenders; work out how high you'd be taking your debt-to-income ratio; and even figure out what your tax break would be. You can also analyze home values in your neighborhood to see if you'll ever get a return on your investment. LetsRenovate.com is one website that offers financial tools.

Simulation Tools

• You need to know how many square feet you have to work with, both inside and outside the house, depending on your particular project. While you may know how big each room in your house is, and you may know the total square footage of the property, there are hidden square feet in closets and walls that will be at your disposal in some remodeling projects. There are online tools that will help you figure out your square footage more accurately. If you're looking at building a home from the ground up, there are tools that will figure out how to arrange your rooms most effectively. FrugalHomeDesign.com is one website offering simulation tools.

Visualization Tools

• Once you've figured out the space you have to work with, there are online tools that will help you visualize what your new rooms will look like. Previous generations had to make do with a big book of carpet samples and paint swatches; now there are online tools that show you a room with different paint colors, tile surfaces, cabinet designs, and countertops at the click of a mouse. Even different exterior paint or siding options can change instantly, so you can display the fruits of your imagination on your computer monitor. Realtor.com is one website that offers visualization tools.

Contractor Searches

• Let's face it--unless you're among the most skilled do-it-yourselfers, you will run into a job you don't know how to complete, and if you make a mistake, when it comes time to sell your house, that mistake will loom large on the homeowner's inspection. There are online tools that will help you find local contractors in a variety of trades who can help you with your remodeling project. RemodelingMySpace.com is one website that offers contractor searches.