My son made me very proud today. We spoke about all the new challenges and responsibilities that he is facing in the fifth grade, and how he is going to deal with them. He has decided that he is going to start the new year right and give his best effort from day one. What a great kid. I have always believed in being the best you can be, and giving your best effort at each challenge you face, and I am proud that he does too.

I am a renovator and custom homebuilder and over the last 15 years have seen far too many frustrated families and mediocre projects that suffer in the end due to starting out in all the wrong ways. I believe that your full effort at the beginning of any renovation project is the only way to ensure quality results. While everyone has their own measure of what “quality” means, I define quality as “a result that you will be happy with for many years to come both personally and financially.” As a very wise woman (my mother) used to tell me, “The bitterness of poor quality lingers long after the sweetness of cheap price is forgotten.”

Many homeowners and contractors mistakenly confuse quality with expensive materials such as granite, marble, custom mouldings, custom cabinetry, and designer fixtures. These items alone do not mean quality. The best way to ensure quality is to work closely with a good contractor from day one and make strong informed decisions at each step. I know what you are probably thinking — easier said than done. I have to agree, the process of renovation is daunting enough, without any more to think about. Trust me, it is worth the extra effort. Let me offer some thoughts to consider in order to get the quality results that you deserve.

I cannot stress this enough; you should expect and insist on quality right from the start. As long as we continue to accept sub par work and planning, contractors have little incentive to provide anything other than merely adequate quality.

As for most people, your home is your single largest investment. Do not do anything to jeopardize the equity in your home. Beyond aesthetic and physical needs, the financial aspect of your renovation is very important. You want to make sure that whatever you spend goes toward protecting and improving your investment and not compromising your long-term plans.

It is always important to look under the surface for quality. Structural quality is too important not to mention. This is the quality you don’t see... at least, not if it’s done right the first time. You don’t want floors that sag, warped doors, and a leaky basement.

Remember, design is not something you can change once it is done. The rule is to get it right the first time. This is a rule that too many people forget. There is no compensating for bad design and good design need not cost more. Quality design should look good and feel great. Visually, design can be judged right from your plans. Does it look appealing to you? Are the proportions correct? Do things feel balanced? Also, consider that design requires thinking ahead past the esthetic to the practical. Will the refrigerator be too far away from the oven? Are two bathrooms enough with a growing family? Will the breakfast area be too small for company? Be sure of your decisions before you move ahead to the building phase of your project.

After the dust has settled, and you are living in your new space, you’ll be looking at the finishes. To ensure that your finishes look and feel great for many years to come choose materials that wear well, are well built, and work within your budget and long-term plans for the space.

It is these three elements ­ structure, design, and finish ­ that combine to produce seamless quality. It’s something your family will not only enjoy every day in your home, but also when it comes time to sell. In the resale market, buyers want homes in move-in condition and they will always pay more for quality.

If you plan for it from the start, quality does not have to cost a fortune and can be achieved without overspending. Good luck with any renovation projects.

Bruce Borden is an award winning expert renovator and custom-home builder. You can download his free report Home Renovation Planning: The Seven Surefire Strategies for Failure (and How to Avoid Them) at www.thetruthaboutrenovation.com or you can reach him at bruce@waldendesignbuild.com