Get organized about your home renovations. Make a wish list. In one column, put your wants. In the other, your needs. That way, when faced with tough choices down the line, you’ll have a clearer picture of your priorities—what has to happen now and what can wait. (A second bathroom upstairs might be a must; a stainless steel Viking range, maybe not so much.)

Determine your budget. Before you meet with a contractor or an architect, you’ll need a ballpark estimate—then both of you will be able to talk honestly about what’s possible. (P.S.: It’s a good idea to build some padding—at least 10 percent is recommended—into your number, for all those unexpected uh-ohs and might-as-wells that will crop up.)

Consult the calendar. What is your timeline for the renovation? If you want the living room done for, say, Jenna’s graduation party, don’t wait until spring to start talking about it. Likewise, you won’t want to install a new roof when a New England winter is looming—or schedule any major demolition a month before you host a family reunion.

Begin looking for a contractor. This isn’t the time to crack the Yellow Pages. Ask everyone you know in the area about their experiences, good and bad. You should also consult the websites for the National Association of Remodelers (nari.org) or the National Association of Home Builders (nahb.org); the professionals belonging to these organizations are bound by strict codes of ethics and business practices.

Start interviewing contractors. Some key questions to ask: •Do they charge by the hour or by the project? (If your renovation is on the larger scale, push for a flat fee.) •What is their policy and pricing on change orders? (If you are paying by the project, changing your mind along the way can add up fast.) •How many other clients do they have right now? •What is their availability? Can they complete the project in the time frame you expect? •Do they have a specialty? •What are their references? Do they have any former clients who would be willing to let you inspect their work? Are there before and after pics? •Are they bonded, licensed, and insured to perform work where you live? (The rules vary by state and town; check your local government website for specifics.) •Perhaps most importantly: Do you click with each other? Is communication easy? Let your instincts be your guide; if you don’t get a good vibe now, just imagine how bad it’ll be when someone is elbow-deep in your electrical wiring.

Examine the fine print of the contract. Make sure the following is included: •The deposit: The amounts vary by state and proprietor, but you shouldn’t be expected to put down more than one-third of the total cost up-front. •A start and finish date. •The schedule of payments. (Request that a final payment of 3 percent to 10 percent is made only upon full completion of the job.) •A clause about binding arbitration; in other words, if something comes up during the work that you are unsatisfied with, you have a right to go to an independent third party who’ll decide how to fix it. •Right of rescission; meaning you have three business days from the signing of the contract to change your mind and get out of it.

Finalize household arrangements. Now that you know when the work will begin, make any additional plans, such as reserving storage