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Preparing for a Remodeling Project
Defining Your Remodeling Requirements
Make a list of the problems and shortcomings of your home that you want to address in a remodeling project. Then, use a rating system to prioritize the list:
- Essential, the fundamental things for which we need to remodel
- Would really like, but could do without or postpone if needed
- Would be nice to have but not very important
Generating Ideas
Collect or take photos. Get
magazines or books and clip or mark the things you like. Go
on home tours presented by remodelers
and new-home builders to see what’s out there and
gather ideas.
Conceptualizing Your Remodeling Ideas
A good rule here is “know thyself.” Think about
how you want to use the space(s). Who will be using it? In
what ways will it be used? Do you want multiple or specialized
uses? Don’t worry too much about designing it - that’s
what a pro is for. Concentrate on what you want to get out
of your remodeled home.
How Much Will it Cost?
How much a remodeling project will cost is a loaded question.
How much does a car cost? It depends on the size, brand, model,
time of year purchased, location of the purchase, accessories
and special packages, rebates, etc.
Determining the cost of a remodeling project,
which is custom designed and built, has even more variables.
Cost depends on
the quality of the materials used, products selected, craftsmanship,
service, dependability and management capabilities, ethics
of the remodeler doing the project, and much more.
A remodeler can generally give you a ballpark cost range once
you have defined enough parameters of the project. The accuracy
will depend on how much is defined.
For any reputable remodeler to be able to give you a reasonably
accurate cost estimate they have to design the project and
you might have to make some product selections. Sometimes this
means entering into a design agreement with the remodeler.
Other times it may be accomplished by hiring the remodeler
to do a feasibility study. Here again, they have to design
the project to some extent.
If you have never remodeled before, you should expect that
the cost of the remodeling project you have in mind is probably
much higher than you expect. Once you have found a remodeler
that you like and trust, work with them to find out how much
can be accomplished within the budget you are willing to invest
into your home, based on your list of priorities.
Remember, when you consider the “cost” of
the project, it is really an investment. Remodeling projects
increase
the value of your home, some significantly. If you remodel
years before you sell, you can get back most, all or even more
than you initially put in. The enjoyment you get from your
remodeled home really costs you much less than the budget of
the project.
Select Your Contractor
See our Selecting
the Right Remodeler Guide
Preparing Your Home and Belongings for Construction
While many quality remodelers take extra precautions to avoid
getting construction dust into your living area and disturbing
the part of your home that is not being remodeled, the fact
of the matter is that remodeling does stir up dust and sometimes
subjects the home to vibrations that do not normally occur
in daily life. However, there are things you can do to prepare
your home and belongings for your remodeling project.
- Remove pictures from walls and delicate items from shelves in the area of your home that might be subject to vibration during construction.
- Even when the area of construction is sealed in, air-handling systems can move dust into parts of your home far from the area of construction. Make sure you have filters in the system and change them often.
- Put clothes, curtains and valuables that cannot be easily cleaned in plastic containers such as garment bags or plastic bags/bins.
- Keep CDs, DVDs, videotapes, and floppy disks in cases so they do not introduce dust into your computers or entertainment systems.
- Keep all food covered.
- Roll up and store area rugs.
- Put doormats inside and outside of your entry doors, especially if you will have any grading done.
- If someone in your home has a breathing condition or uses a CPAP or nebulizer, clean their room more often and keep their medical equipment clean. If their equipment has filters, change them more often than usual.
- Make sure all of your electronic equipment is connected to surge suppressors or battery backup units. Electric construction tools can sometimes cause power fluctuations.
- Provide for a secure, fenced-in area for your pets away from the construction. Most pets do not like construction noise, and with workers going in and out of the home you do not want your pets getting outside by accident.
For more information about how we can help you with your project
please contact us today.
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