So you’ve decided to spruce up your pad and after a lot of researching and budgeting, your project is finally under way? But…what happens when unforeseen problems (and costs) or changes pop up mid-renovation?

Here’s how to plan ahead so you’ll have plenty of money (and time) to finish your remodeling project.

Well, first of all, let’s change those “what-ifs” to “whens.” Sorry, when it comes to home renovations, complications are inevitable. But if you plan for these certain roadblocks from the get-go, a little bump in the renovation road won’t turn into a redecorating disaster.

That means you need to pad your budget and timeline before you start picking out new flooring or appliances, or even hiring a contractor. So when you’re making out your renovation budget (and pinning down your time frame), you can generally increase the entire thing by 15 to 20 percent, depending on the size and scope of the work you’re having done. And the more work you’re doing, the more time and money you should set aside for unplanned extras. Remember that it’s always best to err on the safe side and overestimate: You won’t regret having money left over, but you will regret having to live with a half-finished kitchen because you don’t have enough money to finish the project.

-- The Nest Editors