So you just bought a house, and you are looking to make several changes. Maybe the layout doesn't exactly work for you and your family. Or perhaps you want to expand your master bedroom and bath. Maybe the kitchen is a little outdated and needs some new cabinetry, appliances and fixtures. Regardless of what specific project you are looking to do, renovating can be a time-consuming and stressful process. But there are some things you can do to make the process go a lot smoother {and help keep you somewhat sane at the same time}.
We asked one of our interior designers, Moe Draz, to provide a list of tips and suggestions for how to best prepare for your upcoming renovation as well as what to expect along the way. Here's what he had to say.
1. Get a good team working for you. Hire a designer, contractor and architect that you connect with that communicate well with you and with one another. The success and stress level of the project will depend on how well this team can communicate and execute. It's also important to ask around and get as many referrals as possible. You want to hire people that have good reputations and a successful track record. Of course, you should also be drawn to the work of these individuals and ensure they are able to take an integrated approach on your project.
2. Have your team put together a well thought out plan that you are comfortable with. You can never over plan a renovation so don't rush the design and planning process. You don't want to get halfway through a project and realize that it is going to take twice as much time or money to complete. Make sure your architect and interior designer complete all of your drawings and specifications and have your contractor obtain comprehensive estimates. Careful planning is crucial to meeting your identified objectives and staying within your budget.
3. Be prepared to make decisions. Making as many decisions and selections during the planning stages of the project will make the entire experience smoother and more pleasant. With the help of your interior designer, make sure you see all of your materials together for each room or space to see how colors, textures, and finishes work together before making your final selections.
4. Plan to do a walk-through of the space with all parties involved. Before officially beginning the project, I would recommend having your architect, interior designer, and contractor do a thorough walk-through to help you estimate the costs of the renovation. Every renovation will have the unexpected, but much of that can be resolved by having your contractor and, in some cases sub-contractors, conduct a thorough walk-through to make sure they understand the age and condition of your home's structure, mechanical components, any constraints or opportunities, as well as your objectives. Remember that often when you renovate, you will be required to bring certain mechanical and/or structural elements up to current codes. Make sure you understand the costs involved in doing so before moving forward.
5. Order all your long lead-time materials early. After your specifications are completed, have a good understanding of the lead time for all materials. Have your contractor order as many of the materials as appropriate prior to beginning the actual renovation work and store those materials in a garage or storage pod. The last thing you want is for the project to be delayed due to waiting on materials to arrive. Planning ahead can prevent this from happening.
6. Communication is very important. Having weekly meetings or calls with your team is a strong way to ensure that everyone is on the same page and there are no surprises. Regular, consistent, open communication with all members of your team will help avoid conflicts or other unanticipated issues from arising. Coordination among the team is crucial; the importance of ensuring strong communication from the very start cannot be overemphasized. Email communication is also very important. Communicating via email creates a paper trail of any changes or updates. If anything is in question, it can be referenced from previous emails.
7. Don't make the last payment until you are satisfied with the results. Make sure all final details are completed and do a final thorough walk-through with your interior design and contractor when the work itself has concluded. Before officially completing the renovation and signing off, take a couple of days and make a list of concerns / questions you have about your project and go through it carefully with your contractor.
A renovation is a huge financial investment and time commitment. Often they are tedious and intrusive. It is key to have a team that is cooperative and works well together. You can never over plan your renovation so don't rush through the planning process.
We appreciate Moe taking the time to share his insight on how to best prepare and plan for a renovation project.
If you are in the process of pulling your team together for an upcoming renovation, be sure to contact us to work with Moe or another one of our interior designers. We would love to help ensure your renovation project goes as smoothly as possible. See our Web site for additional information about our full-service interior design firm and the services we provide.
Photos by: Rachael Boling