5 Simple Steps to a Fail-Proof Home Renovation
A home renovation can be an intimidating prospect. You’ll be making decisions that you’ll be living with, likely for years to come. You have to place an enormous amount of trust in your remodeling team, having faith that they will fulfill your vision on-schedule and provide a seamless experience. And that’s not to mention the cost. But by following these 5 simple steps, you can rest assured that your project will be a fail-proof renovation.
1. Plan Ahead
You’ve likely spent plenty of time finding inspiration across TV, the web, and magazines. You may have even created an idea board or put pen to paper and written out a list of must-haves. It’s helpful to be prepared with ideas to show your design/build team, but it’s just as important to talk to your contractor to understand what’s realistic. (Finding examples of what you don’t want can help your team save time and effort, too!) Your contact will help you figure out if your ideas for a custom kitchen are achievable within the constraints of your home – and if you’re up for the challenge. A home model is a group effort. The build team will be doing the hard labor, but you will need to go for longer without the use of the room that’s being renovated – a potential source of stress.
On the design/build team’s end, drawings will be drafted and materials will be selected well ahead of time and approved by you, the client. That way there are no surprises and both parties are aligned on the deliverables.
2. Communicate Clearly and Honestly
When it comes to a fail-proof home reno, it’s important to have a firm and descriptive vision for your project. When clients have too many ideas, though, they can send mixed messages. Statements like “I want an all white subway tile backsplash, but a geometric design would look great, too” will only confuse the team. It’s also perfectly OK – and even preferable – for you to ask for opinions. Our professional designers know what materials complement each other and how to form a cohesive style. If you can’t quite decide on your options, we can help you come to a conclusion and move forward.
On the other side of the equation, your contractor should be frank with you regarding the stress and challenges that come with a remodel, the timeline, the budget, and more. A foundational part of any reno project is to help you understand the whole process, from start to finish. If a design idea is going to cause more headaches than happiness, they should let you know, while also suggesting helpful alternatives. Meanwhile, if something doesn’t go according to plan (if the team can no longer meet the agreed-upon deadline, for example), you should expect any professional remodeler to be up-front about those issues.
3. Budget for Your Taste and Have a Backup Plan
Better, more beautiful, and more unique materials cost more money. That’s a pretty logical conclusion, but there are so many selections for you to make that it can be easy to let your budget run away from you. The best way to wrangle this is to establish a fail-proof budget range. Having that flexibility will help you get the high-end selections you want most while making some concessions on the less prominent elements.
When you hire a design/build team, you’ll have conversations about how much you’re willing to invest, and the team will work with you to design a solution within your budget. We understand that talking about money isn’t the most comfortable thing in the world, but it’s extremely helpful to get that information out there so your team knows the limits they should work within.
Set aside some of your budget as a backup plan, too. Murphy’s Law applies to home renos as much as it applies to everything else. If something goes wrong, or if you end up changing your mind about one of your materials or even the design of your reno, it will likely amount to an added cost. Hopefully you won’t have to use it, but having that cushion will come in handy if you do need it.
4. Trust the Experts
There are countless reasons to not handle a kitchen or bath reno on your own. That’s why you hire the experts, after all. It’s important to work with a team that you trust – not only in terms of their home renovation skills, but also their honesty, clarity, and direction. Even if you have a detailed concept of your new kitchen or bathroom, your design/build team will come to you with advice on how to best tackle your project. Moreover, the right team will educate you, the homeowner, on what to expect in terms of cost, logistics, and everything else involved in the process. Being comfortable with that team will make your renovation much less stressful.
5. Take a Team Approach
And finally, remember that you are part of the team working through the home reno process. Being collaborative and communicative will help avoid confrontation and set a course for a fail-proof reno. Remember that your contractor will do everything within their power to provide you with the outcome you hope for, but staying in the loop and communicating all of your needs and limitations will go a long way in making it an easier and more effective process.
At JM Construction, we have stood the test of time by communicating and educating at every step of the renovation process. By being candid about cost, effort, and time, we’ve helped countless families in Wellesley, Weston, Sherborn and the rest of the Metrowest area experience a fail-proof home renovation. If you’re ready to get started, request a consult here.
