When you’re charting your course through the adventure of renovating your home, it helps to know what pitfalls you might encounter along the way:

It can be challenging to stay on the conservative path once you have physically initiated the project. For example, we had friends that undertook an exterior remodel project. They included new windows, new siding and new landscaping in the budget. Upon completion, the property appeared like-new, except for the exceptionally long circular driveway. The blacktop was old, cracked, uneven and even had a few potholes. One of the most prominent features from the curb suddenly jumped out at them. The new blacktop put them well over the budget.