In 2018, a renovation project in Georgia took a mysterious turn when over 1,000 human teeth were found inside the walls of a building. It was later revealed that the building had been occupied by dentists during the early 20th century. Do you know what may be just behind your walls?

Today, more than half of American homeowners have at least one remodeling project on their to-do list. Though it may be tempting to go at it as a DIY, there’s only so far a can-do attitude can take us. Around two out of three homeowners plan to do at least some of the work themselves, but three in four have little to no experience with renovations at all. By the time these projects are well underway, homeowners may find themselves way in over their heads, both mentally and financially. More than one in four home renovation projects will go over budget and among them, more than half will do so during the construction phase. Unexpected complications and the costly mistakes that follow, however, may be avoided. From architects to home inspectors to interior decorators, professionals can tell you more about the state of your home than you know yourself – including what’s behind those walls.

Here’s how to stay on task without losing your cool when beginning on a home renovation project, what to know before you start, and when to get in touch with professionals.