Planning Your Remodel

Select a Contractor

First and foremost in planning your remodel is selecting a licensed contractor. This will preferably be someone you know and trust.

If you don’t know a contractor and don’t have a referral from a friend, ask for a free consultation and just spend a little time getting to know the contractor. You will want to ask open ended questions to help you asses:

1.) Does this person seem trustworthy?

2.) Is it comfortable communicating with this person and do you find them to be cooperative?

3.) Do their design choices align with your goals?

If after the initial meeting you feel good about that person, ask for references and take time to call them. Just a few minutes checking references can be invaluable in determining the quality of work they produce and hearing the experiences others have had in working with them.

Communicate Your Vision

Share Notes: A good contractor will generally lead the consultation with probing questions to discover your likes/dislikes and priorities. Just the same, the more notes you have assembled to communicate any and all desired results, the more successful the planning stage will be. Start now by keeping a running list of things you hope to accomplish.

Photos: We have all heard “A picture is worth a thousand words” and in planning remodeling projects it is certainly true. The first assignment I give my clients is to assemble photos of “things they like”. If it is a kitchen remodel, it is as simple as going on Houzz or any number of home sights and searching “kitchen inspiration pics”. From there save the images that appeal to you even if you are not sure it can be accomplished in your specific situation. The more your designer/ contractor knows about your likes and dislikes, the better equipped they will be to customize your project and make it the best space for YOU.

Cost, Schedule, What to Expect

Once the details of the remodel are decided make sure you are on the same page with your contractor in regard to cost, schedule, and what to expect during the process.

Cost

Before ever beginning a project there should be a signed agreement with specific information on the cost of the project and when payment will be due. Having a written record protects all parties and helps ensure your expectations are met.

Schedule/ Timeline

You should have a reasonably accurate idea for how long the project will take and what could cause possible delays. Ask your contractor for a list of action items you will be responsible for (selecting finishes, ordering appliances, etc.) You will want to address the items requiring more lead time first. Taking action on this list early will prevent delays later.

Also, be very specific on what days and times are fair game (i.e. does your family need Saturday free from construction noise, or do you want that to be a workday to complete the job sooner?)

What to Expect

Home renovations can be stressful times if not carefully managed and anticipated conditions clearly communicated. If you are living in your home during the remodel, what steps will be taken to make the experience as pleasant as possible? Together with your contractor make it a priority to both protect your home and keep home life as pleasant as possible during the process. There should be a specific plan for debris removal, construction traffic, and protecting the remainder of your home from dust, foot traffic, etc.

At DTS, these are principles applied to every project we do. If you have a project in mind but are not sure about the what, when, and how, I would love to meet with you and discuss how we might be of help.