Short answer: A home renovation checklist for a house you just bought runs hidden problems first, cosmetic last. Start with water, electrical and anything your inspection flagged. Then find out whether the last owner's remodel was permitted. Then settle the layout before touching finishes, so nothing gets torn out later. The dated backsplash that bugs you every morning waits its turn. Maybe you love the house, just not the basement finish or the bathroom the previous owner di

Short answer: To find a good contractor, start with referrals from people who had the same kind of job done, then go see a finished job like yours. Judge the first contact: how fast they call back, whether they look at the space before they price it, and how many questions they ask about your house. Before you sign, get proof of insurance, a written scope that names the materials, and a payment schedule tied to finished work. Before he ran Husky Cara, our owner Gregory "Caesa

These are the questions to ask a contractor before hiring anyone for a kitchen, bathroom or basement. Ask all three bidders the same ten, before you compare a single price. They cover past work, insurance, what the price really includes, how payments work, who shows up every day, and what happens when something goes wrong. Get the answers in writing, or at least in an email you can point back to later. Still collecting names? Our guide on how to find a good contractor covers

Short answer: In Alpharetta, finishing a basement needs a building permit. So does any kitchen or bathroom remodel that moves plumbing, adds electrical circuits or changes framing. Painting, tile, flooring and swapping a fixture in the same spot usually don't. Which remodels need a building permit in Alpharetta? Anything that changes what's inside the walls needs one. That means framing, drywall, plumbing lines, wiring and ductwork. Surface work usually doesn't. Alpharetta ha