STARTING A RENOVATION - THE FIRST STEP

This is a giant money saver if I ever heard one.  So you might have ideas and a budget for your renovation - now what?  There's so much bad information out there it's no wonder there's a problem with the industry.

If it's a big job involving lots of trades, then option "A" is by far your best answer.
If it's a deck for example, a designer is your next best option.

Option:"A"

Multi-Trades Involved Or Large Size/Scope

Hire a General Renovation Contractor first, who works with a Designer(BTW, Not an Architect or Engineer). 

Option: "B" (Not as good)

Not as good: find a designer (or worse yet on the wallet: an architect, engineer), get drawings, then find a contractor who will agree to follow them

DO

1. Research contract types:  "Fixed Price",  "Unit Price" & "Cost Plus" for example and understand which one you should use.
2. Research General Contractors in your area for "The Basics" and read "How To Find A Contractor You Can Trust"
3. Get an idea of how much designers typically cost - but don't hire them unless you're doing Option 2 above.  It's sometimes best to let your contractor pick the designer so you have an option to hire one that has one "in house" 

DON'T

1. Don't get an estimate period - it's just a good way to have false information.  
2. Don't waste/frustrate contractors with back and forths with estimates or quotes when they don't have the job or plans.
3. Don't get quotes UNLESS the job is a NOT multi-trade and you're hiring for say doing a deck structure.

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Cheers!

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