Tag: home-remodel

Preparing for a remodel in your home does not need to be an overwhelming task. But before you even pick up the phone to schedule that first meeting with a remodeler, taking some time for self-reflection can make the entire process smoother, more efficient, and ultimately lead to a result you’ll absolutely love.

The more clearly you can articulate your desires, limitations, and preferences, the better your remodeler can understand your vision and provide an accurate proposal. Follow through our guide to help walk you through some typical areas involved in a remodel to turn your project from daunting to exciting!

Style of the Space

The most exciting step of your remodel project starts with discovering your home style. Do you prefer neutral or bold colors? Clean lines or intricate details? Finding your ideal aesthetic can help guide your remodeling process to ensure the finished product fits your vision.

Check out our blog article on finding your home aesthetic

To find your home aesthetic, you can draw inspiration from platforms like Pinterest or Houzz to see what spaces other people have created. You can also search through magazines, or look online at galleries (even ours, check out our portfolio here!). It may be helpful to create a mood board or collage of your favorite ideas and images to pull your vision together.

Questions to consider: What color palette are you looking for? Do you want the space to look more modern or traditional? Will you be getting new furniture to match the room, or use existing furniture?

Functionality

Another important factor to consider when redoing your space is the functionality you desire. The best way to do this is take a step back and think about how you use the space. If you are redoing your kitchen, do you cook often? How many people tend to be in the kitchen at once? Do you use a lot of kitchen gadgets that will need storage? For your bathroom, is this the most used bathroom space, or just a guest bath revamp? Do you tend to get ready in this space? These types of questions can start to get you thinking about how the space can best be designed to suit your needs and desires.

A great exercise is to assess the challenges of your current layout. Take a look at your current space and see what parts you would most like to improve upon and what areas cause the most friction in your daily routine. This can help you visualize what you would like to upgrade and be great starting points to present to your remodeler.

Questions to consider: Do you have certain items you would like specific storage solutions for? Is your goal of the remodel more for looks or function? Do you want a pantry close to a certain area of your kitchen? Do people tend to walk through certain areas of the space?

Budget

Probably the first question that comes to mind with a home remodel is the budget. Before requesting any quotes for the project, it is crucial to understand what you are comfortable investing. Different aspects of the remodel may help naturally influence the budget. First, it is important to determine how the remodel will be paid for; will it be paid in cash or financed? There are a handful of financing options available for remodeling projects, but it is necessary to check first to see what you qualify for.

Once the budget range is set, it is recommended that 10-20% of the budget be set aside for unexpected costs. This could consist of plumbing problems, electrical fixes, upgrades to meet code requirements, or even a cushion in case you fall in love with a higher end countertop. While these are not always anticipated, having the money set aside helps avoid unwelcome surprises down the road. To also help stay on budget, consider making a list of must haves vs nice to haves. This can help prioritize what you wish for most in your space in the event you need to make some adjustments.

While the planning of the budget can seem daunting, it is important to consider the value vs cost of the project. The initial outlay might seem significant, but the increased home value and resale appeal can outweigh the upfront expense greatly. 

Questions to consider: How do you plan on paying for the project? What is the most important thing you hope to see from your remodel? Are you ok going over budget if you find something you really love?

Timeline

Remodeling is not an overnight process, so it is important to get ahead of the curve and think about a realistic timeline. Consider when you hope to have the project started and completed. Are these dates flexible? Custom work can take time, so it is necessary to factor in those lead times when planning.

While the renovation is occurring, make sure to come up with a plan for temporary living arrangements. Even if only one room is being worked on, consider how it will disrupt your daily routine and create a solution for how you will work around that.

Questions to consider: Are there any hard dates that your remodel needs to work around? Are your dates flexible? Are you willing to extend your timeline to account for all custom aspects you desire? Do you have a plan for living arrangements while the remodel is being completed?

Depth of project

While your remodeler will provide expert advice, it helps to have some preliminary thoughts about your home’s existing structure. First, think about the depth of the project. Are you just looking for new cabinets, or are you willing to knock down some walls? Do you want to change the plumbing set up? All of these answers will have effects on the cost and timeline. It may be beneficial to think of any conditions that may need to be addressed. See if your home has any current issues, like old wiring, lead paint, or load bearing walls that will need to be factored in. Bringing these potential concerns to your remodeler early on can save time and prevent surprises.

Questions to consider: Are you looking for some minor changes or a whole space revamp? Do you live in an older house that may have hidden complexities? Are there any pre-existing conditions that could affect the project cost or timeline?

By taking the time to think through these points before your first remodel consultation, you’ll be well-equipped to articulate your desires, discuss realistic expectations, and ultimately embark on a more successful and less stressful journey to your dream space.

Feeling more prepared for your remodel? When you’re ready to explore how custom cabinetry can elevate your project, reach out to our design team. We’ll help you navigate the possibilities and create beautiful, functional solutions just for you.