10 Steps to Remodeling Your Home

Mar 15

Whether a small kitchen remodel or a large addition, you want to improve your home, but you may not be certain what steps to take and which professionals to hire to complete the project successfully.

Step 1: Identify your project goals, budget and a timeframe.

Ask yourself, why do you want to remodel? Is it to make room for a growing family? Is it because you are sick and tired of same old bathroom tile? Is an aging parent moving in with you? Are you planning to sell your house and the remodel is meant to bring it up to market standards? Knowing why you are remodeling, not just what you are planning to do, will help everyone involved in your project make best decisions for your desired outcome.

The second very important question is “What is my budget?” It’s a bit of a chicken and egg question: if you start with a number in mind, your project scope will adjust to fit that number, and as you add or subtract specifics of the project during the design process, the budget will fluctuate with it. You should, however, have an idea of what you can and cannot afford to spend on this remodel. Have a budget range in mind that you can discuss with your Architect.

Step 2: Contact a design professional to make sure your goals, budget and timeframes are realistic.

Talking to a professional who has done this before can be extremely helpful. Because of their role as the conductors of building projects, Architects are uniquely qualified to help you reconcile your remodeling goals with your budget and schedule.

Most people underestimate how much and how long projects take. When it comes to project budget, it is important to include costs beyond construction labor and materials. Some additional costs to consider are surveying, entitlements, design and engineering fees, permitting and impact fees, utilities and landscaping. An experienced Architect will help you determine what to expect.

Step 3: Identify your style preferences.

If you were going shoe shopping, your time and money would be best spent if you had an idea of what you need beforehand. Is it a pair of black dress shoes you need for an official occasion? Are you shopping for a pair of cowboy boots or Tom’s with a fun print?

Likewise, when you are planning your remodel, pause and ask yourself: “What do I like?” And the second question is, “What do I dislike?” Let your Architect know what style you prefer, so they don’t have to spin their wheels trying to design a midcentury modern home for you when what actually makes you happy is Art Nouveau.

If you don’t know what styles you like, don’t fret. The next step will help you narrow it down.

Step 4: Gather your inspirational images into a mood board.

It’s time to hit Pinterest, Instagram, Google search, or even printed resources and find images that inspire you. Now is not the time to worry about specifics. What we’re after is the overall look and feel of your future space. Gather the visuals that excite you and communicate what you want the completed project to feel like. This can be a Pinterest board, a Powerpoint presentation or a physical board with printed pictures.

Step 5: Decide if you want to manage the project yourself, or hire a qualified Project Manager.

Decide if you want to manage the project yourself, or hire a qualified Project Manager to assist you along the way. Managing a construction project is not easy, particularly if you are not yet familiar with the process.

Step 6: Hire a design professional to realize your vision via drawings and submit for building permit.

Depending on your project goals, you may need to work with a drafter, an interior designer, or an Architect. All of these design professionals are typically capable of producing the drawings you will need for permit submittal. The difference lies in the level of design you will receive and amount of control over the project outcome you have when it hits construction. Here is an excellent blog post from Undercover Architect outlining the differences in design professionals and which one could be right for you:

Architect vs Draftsperson vs Building Designer - what’s the difference?

We will add here that a big part of coming up with a successful design for your home is working with a design professional that you like and trust. Take your time to research and interview potential collaborators until you find one that “clicks.”

Step 7: Hire a contractor to prepare construction estimates as you design and build your project after you’ve received your permit.

This is an important step that will help make your project less stressful. While your Architect may be able to prepare a rough cost estimate early on, their expertise is design, not cost estimation. Having a qualified contractor on your team will allow you to receive cost and constructibility feedback, which in turn will minimize the risk of your design ending up at odds with your budget.

Having a contractor engaged early on also helps you try them out and hopefully, build a working relationship between you as the owner, your Architect and the contractor. These relationships drive the success of your project.

Step 8: Figure out if you will be moving out during construction.

Having to move somewhere temporarily could be an unpleasant surprise later on during construction. To avoid this additional stress, talk to your Architect and contractor and decide if a plan needs to be put in place before construction starts. You may need to rent a storage container for your furniture or engage a friend or family member to help with that. It’s critical to be aware of any phases of construction that will impact your daily life significantly and prepare accordingly.

Step 9: Check on the construction progress.

If your design professional services include help with the construction phase (and they should), you can expect your Architect to make periodic site visits to make sure that the project is progressing according to the design. Your Architect represents your interests during construction and can provide valuable guidance to the project team.

Step 10: Pay.

It is your responsibility as the owner to pay your team on time. You are expected to make payments to the contractor as the work progresses, and your Architect can help by reviewing the contractor’s requests for payment and confirming that they correspond to the work performed to date. Make sure you paid everyone for their work when your project is completed, because design professionals and contractors can put a lien on your house.

This list is a good starting point. If you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact us to suggest a blog topic or request a consultation.