Renovating or adding on to your home can be both a challenging and exciting time. With a little planning, you and your marriage can both survive. Depending on your project, some of these suggestions may or may not apply. Planning for a second story addition would certainly be different than planning for an interior bathroom or kitchen remodel. No matter what your project is, good planning is key to a successful outcome and a happy journey. Below is a list of milestones I would suggest considering.
Scope
Deciding on the scope of your project is easier said than done. There are many factors to consider; is this a short term fix in order to sell your home? Are you adding to your family? Family members need more space? Kids need their own bedroom? Is this your forever home and it’s time for an update? If there are multiple decision-makers involved, being on the same page is critical. Sit down together, make a list of what each think is necessary for your project, then discuss and merge the lists together. At this point, there does not need to be a 100% agreement, as the designs develop, organically, some items will work better than others. Make sure if your project includes provisions for a parent or other family members being added to the household, include them in the conversation. After defining your scope, make a wish list, including must have, would like, and optional.
Budget
Setting a budget seems logical and easy, do your research. There is nothing worse for both the client and the contractor than to spend time making an appointment, meeting, discussing the project, then finding out the project is much more than you thought. Reviewing articles like the 2019 Remodeling Impact Report compiled by the National Association of Realtors and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry can help in setting realistic budgets.
Timing
Discuss the timing of your project. Start with the date you would like it completed by and work backward from that date. Projects vary in length depending on many variable factors. In general, you can expect a second story addition to run 4-6 months, simple additions 3-4 months, complete kitchen or bathroom remodels 2-3 months. Add your planning time plus ordering materials and getting permits. Product selection and designs can take 1-2 months, and 1 1/2-2 months to order material. Ordering material before the project is a critical part of keeping things moving as smoothly as possible. There is nothing worse than having your home torn up only to find out a critical component is back ordered or came in damaged and needs to be ordered again. Project lengths of 4-10 months from planning to finish should be allowed.
Preliminary Product Selection
If your project will include a kitchen or bathroom remodel, start researching products and designs that appeal to you. Selecting exact products is not the focus at this point, just look at styles and finishes that appeal to your taste. Print out pictures to share with your family and contractor/designer. Reviewing web sites like Houzz, Pinterest, or google will give a nice cross section of ideas.
Initial Contractor Interviews
Check with neighbors, family, and reviews online for references. After you have selected several contractors to interview, check their license numbers at the CSLB paying attention to the issue date of the license, bond information and whether or not they have worker’s compensation insurance. Once you are satisfied and have selected at least three contractors, call and make an appointment with each of them. Prior to the interview develop a list of questions to ask each of them. Reviewing pamphlets at the CSLB website will help in developing questions that are important to you. An experienced contractor should be able to provide you with a verbal ballpark figure based on basic information about your project. I suggest not using these ballpark figures to select a contractor, rather test that your project is within a comfortable budget range. The selection you make at this point should not be based on price but a contractor you think you can communicate well with. Select one that seems to have a grasp on your vision for the project, a contractor you can see working with from planning to completion.
Final Product Selection
Once you have selected a contractor to work with, start your product selection. Selecting all your product prior to starting designs will give the contractor some insight into colors, textures, and styles you may like. If your project includes a kitchen, select all your appliances. The contractor will use this information to complete a preliminary layout allowing enough space for all features you think are necessary for your project. Keep in mind these selections are fluid and as the design develops some of these features may be eliminated or modified to fit the space and your budget.
Designs
Based on the interview process, products you have selected and the measurements of your home the contractor will develop a set of plans. The plans should include floor plans, electrical plans, interior and exterior elevations as needed, and be detailed with a list of materials. This is a critical stage to ensure that prior to final pricing your contractor understands exactly what you expect and that you have an understanding of exactly what your contractor is going to provide.
Contracts
Once all the final material selections have been made, all plans have been finalized and approved; require your contractor provide a written set of specifications including all quantities, cabinet details, brands, model numbers, and finishes. The CSLB has minimum requirements that must be included in all home improvement contracts.
Provisions During Construction
Be sure to plan for pets, meals, and general family life during construction. Pay special attention to how pets will be cared for, kept away from work areas and open doors. Children are very curious and will be very interested in the process, set your needs with your contractor prior to starting the project. There will always be some contingencies in every project, items you may want to be added, unforeseeable items hidden in walls, meals out, maybe even lodging, be sure to have a contingency fund built-in.
Remodeling or expanding your home is an exciting time and can be exhausting. Recognize going into your project there will be many challenges. Planning and discussing your project with the entire family and your contractor upfront will ensure it’s a rewarding experience when all is completed.
Proper planning prior to starting your project will ensure your project looks as you envisioned, moves along as smoothly as any home renovation can, and will give you the tools needed to communicate effectively with your contractor. Developing a comprehensive plan prior to starting will set expectations that both you and your contractor will understand, leading to a relationship that long after your project is complete will allow you to meet your contractor in the street and not throw bricks at him.
Baccaro Construction is a premier “Design and Build” contractor with NKBA certified kitchen and bath designers, working with our clients from the initial “Wish List” to setting the final finishing nail. If you are ready for your first free consultation, call us.
If you have any specific questions or suggestions for future posts, please contact me at Peter@baccaroconstruction.com.