Remodel — What Does it Really Take?
If you are considering taking on a home renovation project, it is important to keep in mind that all remodels are unpredictable. So, rarely will you cast a vision, have a meeting or two with your designer then take one trip to Home Depot.
It is also rare that your remodel will flow smoothly and will not be derailed once or twice with unforeseen problems like weak support beams or hidden mold. While most problems can be solved and handled quickly with the right team, you should keep your expectations realistic around the magnitude of the project as well as how much time it will actually take to complete.
So really, in short, the answer to this question is A LOT of work. Even the most basic kitchen or master bedroom takes a lot of planning and work. It all starts with your style, vision and color palette. But, it is important to remember that before you get to the end result, the beginning and middle stages can be quite consuming with meeting after meeting.
So, before you jump into a project, here is a glimpse of what it takes…
Initial meeting with the designer. This is where your designer listens to your thoughts and ideas. Ideally, she will want to make your dream and vision come to life in your space, using her expertise, ideas and input. Afterall, this is your space and it should be a direct reflection of who you are and what you desire.
Questionnaire and budget: This is where you can write down your expectations and wants. Your designer will also help you set and prioritize your budget. She will listen to all the things you want in your space and will give you a realistic expectation of what it will cost to execute that.
Contract: design fees are either determined by the number of hours worked or are based off a percentage of the job. The cost of furniture and décor are not included in this cost.
Measuring: this step involves taking measurements of the space so you can order the right materials.
Scope of work: this is where every area of the home is inspected in detail and approved by the contractor as well. Permits will need to be obtained if required and this can take time so its necessary to do this early on.
Drawings from designer: this includes all drawings, including any changes to the floorplan (i.e. walls or windows removed or relocated). This also includes drawings of various areas with their ideas for layout and elevation (front view) of a space. For example, maybe the kitchen window space or the media center needs to be adjusted.'
Meetings with contractor/s: time to choose your contractors! My biggest piece of advice is do not choose the cheapest! You should listen to your designer on this one as she will know the best contractors and subcontractors to work with in your area.
Material selection (my favorite part!): this is where you choose the type of flooring, paint, cabinet color/style, stone (countertop), backsplash, windows, hardware and fixtures, lighting, etc.
Once the contractor is chosen a start date is established. IDEALLY THE DESIGN OF YOUR PROJECT IS DONE BEFORE CONSTRUCTION BEGINS. (THIS WILL SAVE TIME AND MONEY). It is also important to check and make sure all the materials you want are in stock so you can order them or choose a backup before the start of the project. If the contractor starts and the materials are unavailable, this could really interfere with the timing of the project.
This is all done prior to construction. Once this is all complete, the next step is to move forward with demolition and your actual renovation will begin! This process includes demo, framing, drywall, electrical, trenching, plumbing, etc. And while this step is the not so pretty part, it sure is essential!
After demolition is complete, the fun part comes in: cabinets, flooring, countertop, backsplash and lighting are installed, and your project comes to life!
So, that’s the process in nutshell! My best advice is to always start with budget…a healthy budget. It is not worth starting this process until you can make it all come together. So, if you don’t have a realistic budget set or you cannot manage it, wait until you can complete it exactly as you want. Otherwise, you will find yourself in renovation mode for a long time and you will never be fully satisfied.