Even the most determined do-it-yourselfer will eventually come up against a project that is beyond their skill set, such as updating a kitchen or electrical work. A smart homeowner will establish workable, comprehensive plans no matter how small the renovation.
You don’t need an architect to draft blueprints for your bathroom redo, but you do need to know what you want in terms of cabinetry, tile, fixtures and finishes. If you haven’t made these decisions before you call a contractor [1], the pricing process will be based on what they think you want rather than your actual expectations.
Links:
[1] http://www.moneypit.com/blog/tom-kraeutler/finding-best-contractor-your-home-improvements