Tips on Making your Remodeling Project Easier



 

1. Start at the beginning:  That means writing down how your home does not meet your current needs.  Don’t concern yourself with the physical design; that will come later.  Just write down the problems you are trying to solve, things like:

Our master bedroom, bath and closets are too small.

We entertain more than we used to and the house gets cramped at parties.

We need a larger family room for our larger family.

We want a bigger kitchen with an eating area.

It is the solution to these problems that will insure that you will be happy with your project.  Professionals can help with the actual design, once you  have stated your needs.

2.  Put together a budget:  This may be the least fun but the most important part of the process.  Everyone is different in how they go about doing this but one suggestion is to find out what the better homes in your neighborhood are selling for.  The difference between the current selling price for these homes and the price you paid for your house is a good indicator of how much you could prudently spend on the project and get your money back if you have to move within the next few years.  This becomes less important if you plan to stay where you are for more than three or four years.

3.  Find a contractor who can do more than build:  Even the smallest remodeling project is complex and involves a lot of people, including building inspectors, tradesmen, craftsmen and vendors of all types.  Putting this all together in a timely manner takes experience, skill, management, good communications and attention to detail

There are all too many horror stories about contractors who took too long to finish a project because they were “good craftsmen” but “terrible managers”.  The choice does not have to be between the two.  At Thomas Construction, we pride ourselves on putting together a team of qualified craftsmen AND conscientious managers to insure that your job will be done the way you want it – on time, within your budget and with quality throughout.

4. Take the time to answer all the questions up front: Once preliminary plans and budgets have been established, there is often a tendency by all involved to rush into the construction phase.  This can actually slow the process down.  Take the time to specify and get firm delivery dates on all items BEFORE you begin construction, wherever possible.  That way you’ll find out in advance if there is a long lead time on a particular item and a substitute can be incorporated into the design.  As Thomas Construction, we take the time to plan and prepare so that the actual work can be done quickly.

5. Have fun with the process: The whole idea is to improve your living space and lifestyle.  The way you go about it makes all the difference in the world.  Know what you want, decide on a workable budget then stick to it, find a contractor who can manage the project and do quality work, take the time up front to plan…and the rest will follow.