No doubt you have heard horror stories about t unfinished remodeling projects and trampled budgets? It’s understandable that you may take pause at the idea of tackling a project of your own. Here’s the good news; it doesn’t have to be that way. Outlined below are a few critical steps you’ll need to complete your project without going crazy or over budget. Let’s get started!
Choosing Your Destination
The goals for your project will be uniquely yours. After all, you live in and use your home in a way that is unique to your family and lifestyle. At this initial planning stage, try not to think about where the walls will be or how to solve specific challenges. For now, concentrate on the ways you’d like to use the spaces in your home most efficiently and the obstacles that prevent you from doing that now.
Create a list of things you dislike about your space and a list of the things you love. Next, list your “wants”, similar to your wish list on Amazon. Putting these wants and needs in writing will prepare you to communicate clearly as you work with your contractor and designers to create your perfect space.
Establish a Budget
All remodeling is uniquely personal, and your budget can feel intimately personal. Before meeting with a contractor, consider how much you are comfortable investing to reach your goals. Being upfront and honest about your budget with your contractor is critical to your project’s success. Remember, they’re part of your team and can better help you achieve your remodeling goals if they know your realistic budget.
Assembling Your Team
Do you need an architect first or a contractor first? That’s a great question, and our answer is…both! Just like a great sports team, your remodeling team needs a head coach. An experienced design-build contractor can bring together all the players your project will need and coordinate their efforts to achieve your goals.
Designing Your Space
A good design will save you money, time, and aggravation. Without a thorough detailed design, budget overruns and construction delays are almost guaranteed. A simple selection like countertop material can differentiate between staying within budget and a $5,000 change order. You may be eager to get hammers flying, but it is crucial to take the time and attention to design your space completely and be sure of your selections before construction begins.
Getting the Best Value
We did not title this section “How to Get The Cheapest Bid” for a reason. Value is rarely about the lowest dollar figure but what you are getting for that dollar. A thoughtful and thoroughly designed project will ensure that you know your project’s cost and precisely what you’re achieving for the money you are spending. While the advice to “Get three bids” approach can work to compare pricing, it doesn’t serve to give you the whole picture. Without a defined design for bidders to use, the three bids will likely not be comparable. . The road to a successful project requires choosing a remodeling contractor based on important criteria beyond price alone. Comparing companies on the quality of their work, the longevity of the company, clarity of processes, and customer satisfaction will help you get the best outcome for your project..
Getting a Contract
It seems elementary, but a detailed and concise written contract is vital to establishing a good working relationship between you and your contractor. . It’s like an insurance policy; you hope you won’t need to use it, but you’ll be pleased to have it if you do.
A good contract will include a complete description of the work to be completed, detailed drawings, and information regarding how changes are handled. It will also clearly describe how and when payments will be made.
In addition to the contract, be sure to get a copy of the company’s warranty and understand what it does and does not cover.
Construction
While this can be the most challenging aspect of your project, it can also be the most exciting if you have followed the steps above. With all the I’s dotted and T’s crossed, you and your contractor will know exactly what is expected, and the craftsmen will be able to do their jobs efficiently.
Before the start of construction, be sure to clarify who your point of contact will be and get a copy of the written schedule for the project as well. Knowing what to expect will help lower your anxiety and increase your anticipation while the hammers are pounding.