Remodeling or renovating your house can be a complicated, disruptive and expensive process, especially if you haven’t thoroughly researched the project's potential costs and liabilities. Before undertaking any alterations to your home, make sure you plan well, choose your materials carefully, and hire qualified contractors. And don’t forget your legal obligations regarding zoning and permits. In other words, there is a lot for you to know. Luckily, the Internet provides a host of excellent resources for educating yourself about all aspects of major home improvement:

• Planning
  
  
• To help transform a shapeless idea into an actual project, see This Old House online's “Home Renovations” section. Here, you’ll find articles outlining design strategies for a range of projects: everything from rebuilding stairways to maximizing space in shared bathrooms to green remodels, and more. 
  
  
• About.com’s helpful article Before You Remodel will provide you with guidelines for each step of a major project. Be sure to also browse through their extensive “Resources for Remodelers: How-to Tool Kit”.
  
  
• For a helpful contractor evaluation checklist, go to House Remodeling and Repairs: Finding and Choosing Professional Help from the Homeowner’s Information Center. See our Contractors article for more information on locating and hiring the right person.
  
  
• AsktheBuilder.com also offers a whole range of useful articles in its “Planning–Blueprints” section.