I’ve always loved cooking, but I used to dread my kitchen. The cabinets were outdated and mismatched, the countertops were dull, the floor looked like it belonged in a basement and there was no way anyone would ever want to eat what I made in that room. So finally I decided it was time for a serious renovation. But before you dive into your own project—whether you’re upgrading one room or an entire home—here are some of the lessons I learned along the way:

Plan for the worst.

When planning your kitchen renovation, it’s important to think about the worst-case scenario. You have a contract with your contractor, but what if they don’t live up to their end of the deal? What if they go out of business or get hit by a bus before the project is done? What if you find out that your beautiful marble countertops are actually made from asbestos and will kill anyone who comes into contact with them?

You should always plan for these kinds of things–that way, when something does go wrong (and it will), you’ll be prepared for whatever comes next!

Check out a few stores.

• Check out a few stores. When comparing prices and materials, it’s important to note that the same product can be listed at different prices from one store to another. Make sure you’re comparing apples with apples by checking out both the price and quality of materials at each place you visit–and don’t forget to ask if

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