It is important to remember:

Everything that is cheap is tempting, but remember that it is usually a recipe for disappointment, anger, and large, unexpected expenses. Therefore, it is important to choose the best and most affordable deal that includes the words: complete, schedule guarantee (= fine for late payment), quality, and of course, updated recommendations.

Invest a lot of time in choosing the contractor. Use your sense of criticism to see if you can get professional and courteous service from him, check that he is a registered contractor, check that he has insurance covering his work, check what the atmosphere is among the workers (shouting, accusations or calmness).

Make sure there were any delays and how you can insure yourself in this case (because you will have to pay rent for longer, or you will not be able to rent your apartment on time).

Check the possibility of insuring the project on your part.

Look for a reliable, licensed, and experienced contractor. You have received recommendations and, together with the architect/designer, you have seen various works by the contractor.

While you wait for building permits, you can start getting quotes.

You must decide whether to build with a key contractor - that is, one person or a contracting company that is responsible to you for the entire construction process. Or independent construction, which means receiving bids and working with all the subcontractors and various professionals, the skeleton contractor, the electrical contractor, the carpenter, the tiler, and so on.

The main advantage of working with a key contractor is peace of mind, but building this way can be more expensive. In independent construction, you essentially become the foreman and supervisor of the construction, which means it is worth asking for understanding and consideration from your bosses at work or your clients, because you will be less available to them in the near future.

In any case, you must show a presence at the construction site, understand the work process and be in contact with the contractor, supervisor and architect or designer.

As a friend who recently finished building his house and served as a contractor told me, 'Most of the time during construction, you don't build,' meaning most of the time you will find yourself waiting for the various professionals.

Understand what the professionals do and be active partners in the construction process.

Request accurate work schedules from the contractor/supervisor/site manager and provide full payment upon completion of the work.

The contractor and the materials are the highest expense in the project, so it is worth negotiating properly, especially after comparing prices. At the same time, the goal is to get an excellent product, so you need to look for the most affordable offer.

It's worth paying for a bill of quantities that the inspector/architect/designer/project manager will prepare. This way, you won't get caught up in unexpected expenses and you'll have control over changes and additions and know how to price them.

Don't trust the contractor to count the electrical/lighting costs. Count them yourself on your own time and you will see that there are differences in quantities and definitions.