Feeling Overwhelmed?: Your Essential Checklist for a Successful Home Renovation
how to prepare for your remodel
You want to remodel your home But you hesitate at the thought of:
Runaway costs
Disruption & delays
Decision fatigue
Making mistakes
We hear you! But it doesn’t need to be that way! We have guided homeowners through successful remodels for more than 20 years, and we know what it takes to prevent unwanted “surprises” from start to finish. Can you eliminate delays, unexpected costs and disruptions? No! But you can:
Reduce stress
Prevent unnecessary costs
Save time
Enjoy the process
Create a home you will love
We aren’t saying it’s easy, but if you follow these 5 steps, you will be on your way to your dream renovation.
1. Find your North Star.
It’s goal setting 101, we need to know where we want to go, especially if we want to get there without delay.
Write down your wishlist. It might include:
A kitchen that makes cooking and entertaining a joy
A bath that promotes wellness every day
Refreshing surfaces and furniture so your home reflects your style today, not 25 years ago.
If you aren’t sure what you want, write a list of what is wrong, say, the fireplace that makes you cringe. It’s usually a combination of function and aesthetics, (the kitchen work flow is awkward and you’ve always hated that backsplash.)
Before photo at waterfront condominium kitchen.
Imagine how it will feel to live in your home when all of the problems are resolved and you can focus on living your best life.
Hop online and begin collecting inspiration images. Focus on the the overall style and feel that resonates with you, design details will come later.
2. Connect with the right team.
You need a designer who:
Carefully listens to you; helps you clarify your goals; and translates them into a functional and beautiful design that’s even better than what you imagined.
Has the experience to execute a project like yours.
Has a clear process and can estimate how long each phase will take.
Has clear answers about their fees.
Their portfolio has projects similar to yours, or in the style you want.
Has the services you need: Do they select finishes and provide material schedules? Will they provide permit ready drawings? Do they offer construction administration to keep the project running smoothly after design is complete?
You need a builder who:
Clearly explains what to expect from start to finish.
What it takes to go from a “ballpark” figure, to a preliminary budget, to a fixed quote.
The process for bidding, permitting, scheduling, and managing subcontractors.
How they will keep you informed as issues come up that will impact the schedule and budget.
Before making a decision about these key team members:
Look at their work. Is it inspiring? Does the quality match what you are dreaming of for your home?
Read reviews and check their references. Qualified designers and builders will be happy to provide references.
Do you feel good working with them? You are going to work together for many months and it’s important to enjoy their company. Remember: Renovating can be fun!
Find out more:
If you aren’t sure whether you need an architect or an interior designer, read this article to learn about their roles.
You can also find a post about how to select the right general contractor.
3. Set a realistic budget.
I always ask potential clients what they are planning to invest and share costs from recent projects that had a similar scope so they know if their budget expectations align with their project.
Your builder will provide a firm quote when you have a complete design, including materials. But in the meantime your builder should be able to give you a budget range for the scope of work you are planning based on their experience. It’s the first check to make sure your budget is aligned with your goals.
Search online for articles on remodeling costs in your city or region.
Add a generous contingency, 20-25%. (See Expect the Unexpected below.)
4. Plan.
Take the time to carefully think through every decision keeping livability, maintenance and budget in mind.
Focus on timeless style that will outlive current trends. Yes! You want it to be current and stylish! But you don’t want it to feel dated in 5 years.
Consider your functional needs now and how they might change. Your designer can help you think through the pros and cons of your design choices over the long term.
Ask for advice on ways you can enhance the livability and value of your home with sustainable materials and added energy efficiency.
Allow plenty of time for thorough planning before construction begins. Complete construction drawings will give you a firm budget number, speed up bidding and permitting, and help the trades work more efficiently. If you are finalizing materials during construction, you risk stopping work while waiting for materials to arrive.
Stick with the plan. Last minute changes mean delays and added expense.
5. Expect the unexpected.
A home renovation is intrinsically stressful. There will be delays and there are often unanticipated costs. The trades will come to your house, demolish it and then s l o w l y transform it into the home of your dreams, making noise and a mess at every step. Knowing there will be surprises at the outset will help you navigate the journey more easily.
If possible we recommend moving out before demolition. It can speed up construction and more important protect you from the noise, dust and general disruption to your daily routines.
If you are staying in the house your team can help you prepare by explaining what areas will be affected, for how long, and what they can do to minimize the disruption. Often we plan for a temporary kitchen, laundry, whatever is possible to minimize the impact of construction.
Trust your team. It is their job to keep you informed and problem solve when issues come up.
It helps to learn about the construction process ahead of time and why there are delays and unexpected costs.
We have worked with hundreds of clients and in the end they love their home and unanimously report that it turned out better than they expected. We hear from them years later that they still get joy out of the finished project. So when it feels like what were we thinking . . . remember your North Star.
After photo at waterfront Strand condiminium. Finished Japandi style kitchen with warm custom walnut cabinets, handmade ceramic tile walls for color and texture, and a spacious open feeling.
We are here to help!
If you are considering a project, give us a call. We are happy to answer your questions and help you get started! In the meantime, find out more about our process here!