Prevent Unwelcome Surprises With Design-Build Home Remodeling Services
Home remodels can be a great way to improve the comfort and functionality of your home. But before any work begins, you’ll need to develop a plan for the project.
Having well-developed design plans will ensure that your contractor understands what you are looking for in the remodel and accurately predicts the cost of the project. This will prevent any surprises down the road.
1. Design Documentation
Design plans are one of the most valuable aspects of a remodel. They provide a clear, attainable goal for the project from its onset and help prevent unwelcome surprises during construction. Without designs, a build team might find themselves asking questions like “what do you mean by this?” or “how are we supposed to go about that?” An experienced designer anticipates these questions and communicates with the client’s build team throughout the entire process to make sure everyone understands the plans and how they should be implemented.
When looking for a design service provider, look for a company that offers this as part of their remodel package. This will save you time and money because the designers will be much more knowledgeable than a separate contractor and can tell you what your desired changes will cost right away. Additionally, they will be able to create a structure for the documentation that makes it easy for clients to access and understand.
2. Project Management
In Design-Build, your home remodel designer will work with the onsite team to keep the project moving forward. This means if a problem arises, it’s quickly analyzed and resolved so you don’t lose time or money due to delays.
Some remodels require a professional engineer or architect to create a detailed design for the project. These typically involve load-bearing walls, foundations, and other structural components of the home.
Other remodels require a certified interior designer to create a beautiful and functional design for the space. These projects can include kitchens, bathrooms, whole house, and outdoor living designs. A good quality designer can charge a premium, but many homeowners find it worth the investment for their design services to help them complete their remodel on time and within budget.
3. Communication
The home renovation process can be an overwhelming experience for homeowners. But communicating effectively with your design-build remodeler can make the process much more manageable for all parties.
During the design phase, home remodelers should provide regular updates to keep their clients up-to-date on the progress of the project. home remodel design services This way, there are no surprises down the road.
It’s also important to communicate any changes to the original plan promptly so that renovation professionals can adjust their approach accordingly. This keeps the project running smoothly and prevents any miscommunication that could derail the timeline or budget.
Communicate how you prefer to be contacted by your remodeling contractor (email, text message, phone call, etc). Also discuss any industry terms that you may not understand so that your remodeler can explain them to you. For example, a common term used is “allowances.” Allowances are open-ended amounts that can be spent on anything.
4. Time Management
Home remodeling takes longer than many people realize. The planning and design process can last several months before contractors hammer the first nail.
This can include meetings, product selections, drawings and revisions. The timeline can also be impacted by weather, material and labor availability, and customer indecision.
A professional remodeling contractor will work with you to ensure that your project is completed on time and within budget. They will use project management tools, such as calendars and digital tools, to keep everyone on track with their tasks. They will also set a target completion date and build in a few days of wiggle room for material/product deliveries, holidays and other unavoidable issues.
It is important to remember that during the remodel, your house will be a construction zone. This may cause disruptions to your lifestyle and require you to find other living accommodations. During this time, it is best to plan ahead by storing extra household items, setting up an alternate dining space or holding gatherings at public locations.
5. Budget Management
Whether you’re adding an extra bathroom or doubling the size of your kitchen, remodeling can be costly. Homeowners who don’t take the time to develop a realistic renovation budget at the beginning are likely to run into expensive circumstances that weren’t considered, such as finding out that your foundation needs to be reinforced or that asbestos was discovered in the walls of your home.
Contractors and architects often recommend setting aside 20-30% of the total cost of your project as a contingency fund for situations like these. A professional home remodel designer can help you determine what your budget should look like and how to manage it throughout the renovation process.
A new crop of technology start-ups is helping to make the renovation process easier by offering design and budgeting services. For example, Sweeten matches renovators with vetted general contractors Luxury Furniture Custom and then provides them with the necessary support until the renovation is complete.
6. Planning
Whether it’s adding a master suite or doubling the size of your kitchen, home remodel projects require planning. Getting a design plan in place is one of the best ways to reduce costs and prevent unwelcome surprises during construction.
It’s also important to consider the architectural style of your home. If your home has a traditional feel, you may want to work with an architect who can help you create a space that fits within the existing structure.
Design services can include planning and drafting documents, creating rough site plans, floor plans and elevations or even illustrative sketches or computer renderings. Many design/build remodeling firms have architects on staff who can provide the drafting and planning services that homeowners need to get their project underway. Choosing a firm that offers both design and building services can save you time, money and the hassle of shopping for different professionals.
