The vast majority of homeowners know they have to sit down with a pencil, paper, and calculator before the drone of hammers begins with a remodel project. What many don’t take into consideration are the hidden but easy to spot costs of remodeling. Quality DesignWorks, a design-build company in Gainesville, FL, shares nine of these common costs.

1. Food & Meals

When it comes to the average home remodel cost, it greatly depends on which room is undergoing work. The kitchen is time and time again called the heart of the home — until it’s under renovation. The average cost for a kitchen remodel ranged from $5,000 for a small remodel to up to $60,000 for high-end. luxurious renovations. No matter the estimate for your project, it’s important to leave a line in the budget open for food and meals that will need to be bought and/or cooked outside the home during this time.

2. Lodging For Yourself & Pets

It’s not uncommon for a home renovation project to quickly encompass more than the initially designated area. Except when this happens, the homeowner and others in the residence usually wind up scrambling to live elsewhere until the work is complete. If friends and family are able to host everyone, generally the cost of lodging is lower than if it was a week-long hotel stay. But, it’s still a hidden cost but not one that can’t be budgeted for.

3. Pest & Rot Damage

Sadly, what hides below the surface in many homes is pest and rot damage which is only discovered when a home remodeling project is well underway. Damage caused by termites and other wood-loving insects, such as carpenter ants, is notorious in terms of hidden costs. But, having a home inspection prior to beginning work is a good way to know beforehand if the project budget needs any adjustment.

4. Property & Land Surveys

If your next home project is to add a bathroom or otherwise expand your home size, it’s a good idea to have a land or property survey done first. The reasons why property boundaries change over time are innumerable but the cost of a survey now is likely to be significantly less than a legal dispute with a neighbor.

5. Future Updates Now

Your home may currently meet your lifestyle wants and needs, but what about in 10 or 15 years down the road? Budgeting for future updates is not only a hidden cost of remodeling a home but a proactive approach to unforeseen renovations later.

6. Debris Disposal

The amount of construction debris amassed during a remodeling project is usually significant — and it can’t be placed curbside along with your household trash. During remodeling, many homeowners bring in a dumpster for short-term use. And while budget dumpster options are available, remember if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. Most professional companies, such as Quality DesignWorks, include debris handling and disposal in the project estimate.

7. Updating Code Violations

Local building codes are usually periodically updated which means if you’re mulling over a change or two to the home, there’s a good chance these codes have changed. What this means for the total cost is its likely to increase but a design-build company, such as Quality DesignWorks, can explain the updated information and how it will impact the project.

8. Home & Wall Décor

Sometimes called decorative extras, these small touches are what pull a remodeled space together in a home. Maybe you’ll be using décor already in the home or would like to introduce a new design scheme. Whatever the final decision, make preparations now for any home décor,  such as reinforcing a wall for a heavily framed piece of artwork.

9. Permits

Most homeowners know that the various permits legally required to complete renovations have a cost. It is the specific cost of each required permit that catches renovators off-guard as permit price is based on project location and project size.