Richard Davis, who studied architecture and joined Remodeling Consultants 26-plus years ago as a design consultant, now manages the firm’s Design/Sales and Architecture Department. Here he shares his tips for preparing for a remodel (big or small) and avoiding these 10 inconveniences:
- Permitting delays
- Lifestyle disruptions
- Construction noise/dust/debris
- Cost overruns
- Poor communication between architect and builder
- Unforeseen structural and mechanical surprises
- Building material availability challenges
- Errors and omissions
- Open-ended schedules
- Poor time management/labor scheduling delays
Each town/area is different, so gathering as much information as you can — or hiring a professional to navigate the permitting process — is key. “If you don’t have a professional to help guide you, simply call the town and explain what type of project you’re looking for,” says Davis. “They will be able to tell you what types of approvals are required and approximately how long it will take to get those approvals.”
There are going to be disruptions to your life and home during a construction project no matter what size it is. If you are renovating a bathroom and you have other bathrooms in the home, that’s not as disruptive, but if it’s a kitchen or a whole home remodel, you will be impacted and need to make plans.
If you’re doing a whole-home renovation, it is already a very costly investment. “In most instances, homeowners are already embarking on a project that probably costs more than what they thought it was going to [cost] before they started the process,” says Davis. “To renovate a home in this part of Northeast can be a very expensive additional cost.”
If you can, Davis suggests phasing the project. If it’s possible to focus on the second floor and live on the first floor while work is being done, you don’t need to relocate.
For a kitchen renovation, you will want to set up a temporary kitchen in a dining room or other space, he says. “Set up some basic appliances like your refrigerator that just plugs into an outlet, maybe a couple of cabinets and a countertop that comes out of the kitchen when it’s demolished, and an electric cooking appliance — like a glorified dorm room,” says Davis. “Think about how you’re going to cook in your house and make sure you’ve got plenty of takeout menus.”
There is going to be noise, dust, and debris during construction. Davis suggests a few things you can do to plan for this and work around it. “If you can, plan a vacation around some of the dirtiest, messier, louder parts of construction, or plan to be out of the house during demolition,” Davis adds.
If you are embarking on a kitchen remodel, Davis also recommends bringing in a kitchen designer and going to a kitchen showroom to work on your design and layout…
He says coping with points four through 10 simply comes down to good planning.
“Good architectural plans are important; understanding what materials need to be selected and selecting them all before you get started and [understanding] what materials are being used so it doesn’t impact the budget later on,” says Davis. “Some homeowners may not realize the cost difference between polished chrome and polished gold.” These selections or changes can have a big impact on your bottom line. If you are embarking on a kitchen remodel, he also recommends bringing in a kitchen designer and going to a kitchen showroom to work on your design and layout, and to choose materials. They will be able to guide you better on that specific project.
Another tip from Davis is to have everyone involved on the same page before the project gets started. “I always insist when I meet with my clients that I meet with all of the decision-makers,” he says. “Whoever it’s going to be for, whoever is living there, whoever is paying for the project — everyone is on the same page with expectations, and selections are [made] ahead of time.”
This way you can further avoid change orders, and therefore, changes in the budget, schedule, and overall management of the project.
Remodeling Consultants
Mamaroneck
Related: Transform Your Westchester Home With These Top Designer Tips
