Plan ahead when completing home improvement projects
Whether you are interested in a complete home renovation, a kitchen or bathroom remodel, or an improved outdoor living space, it’s never too early to start planning.
The first step in creating your plan is to decide what you want. At this point, you don’t need to be specific — just make a list of those elements that you would like to have as part of your remodeled home. If you find that you have created a very long list, you will need to prioritize it. Although this may not seem like an important part of your remodel, it can — and will — help you and your remodeler to design and ultimately build the home of your dreams.
Before starting your home improvement project a good plan needs to be in place. This is where your wish list comes in. You will use this list to create an outline describing what is included in the project.
Although there are many elements to consider in planning for your project, there are two basic considerations — function, and the look or aesthetics of your future home. It may be that your kitchen or bathroom is very functional, but you want a new or updated look. On the other hand, it may be that you need to re-design certain rooms or even the layout of your home itself. You may need and want an open floor plan, or perhaps you need to create a private corner of your home for relaxing at the end of a busy day.
As you build your list, remember that it can include ideas and concepts as well as specific items. Part of your preparation should also include your budget or at least a pre- liminary budget.
Now that you have your lists and ideas, you will be ready to meet with a professional designer and remodeler. Although you can start with either, many remodelers have designers on staff or can recommend a designer that you will be comfortable with. Your remodeler will use your list to create an outline of your project.
Building professionals refer to the detailed outline as the “scope of work.” It serves as a written plan of how the remodeled portion of your hone will look and function. There are numerous benefits to creating an outline.
One benefit to the homeowner is that it levels the playing field for the contractors and allows them to produce estimates based on identical elements of the project. The benefit to you is that you will obtain an applesto-apples comparison of the contractors you are interviewing. Without this outline, you will get estimates based on each of the contractor’s interpretations, ideas, and experiences. This will lead to higher costs during the construction of the project due to omissions, assumptions and interpretations by each one of the contractors interviewed.
Another important benefit for you is that writing a project outline will give you the opportunity to think through the project from start to finish. Some examples of important questions that you will answer during the process are: Do I want to reface my cabinets or get new cabinets? What color granite countertops do I want? This will better equip you to come up with a budget for your project and control costs.
This article was provided by a member of the Remodelers Council of the Greater Houston Builders Association. The Remodelers Council is dedicated to promoting professionalism and public awareness of the remodeling profession through education, certification and service to the Houston community. For information on this article, please contact Lorraine Hart at lorraine@idealconsulting.net. To join the council or to find a professional remodeler in your area, please visit www.ghba.org.