Remodeling a kitchen or bathroom can be a daunting undertaking for many homeowners, we hope to take the mystery out of the experience and help guide you through the many stages of a typical remodeling project.
Planning
A good first step before diving into the fun part of designing your dream bathroom or kitchen, is figuring out what you will be allowed to do. Local zoning laws or condo boards may have strict regulations. Check with your town’s building department or online, for more information.
Assess your goals for the project; do you plan on living in the house for 5-10 years, or will you be selling it right away? If selling a home is the goal, kitchen and bath remodels typically recoup most of their investment. In heated up housing markets like San Francisco and Washington DC , the return on investment may outperform the national average significantly . Your overall goals should be taken into account when prioritizing the upgrades in a remodeling project. Wade Ferris of Simply Beautiful Remodeling in Minneapolis MN, offers this excellent advice for contingency planning during the initial budget phase.
The best cost-saving strategies include doing things right the first time and excellent planning. Also, plan to set aside at least 5-10% of your project budget as a contingency fund. That way if surprises pop up you won’t have to alter the entire project to be able to afford it, and you’ll still come in on budget. If surprises don’t materialize, either you can splurge on that upgraded material you wanted or you can just save the money. Either way, that extra bit of planning can make the difference in being satisfied with your project and feeling resentful of it.– Wade Ferris | Simply Beautiful Remodeling
Design
House styles vary, from a California bungalow, colonial cape, or mid-century ranch, staying true to the original aesthetic will inform consistent design choices throughout a renovation. Don’t be afraid to take risks, but be wary, good design risks are rooted in their respective histories, even if the source is not immediately apparent. One step in the future with a clear nod to the past is a great way to approach design. Drastic leaps will often be jarring to the overall look of a home. Stick with simple details, high quality materials and light, neutral color palettes. Timeless details and finishes will stand up to the latest trends and fads.
Storage and organization is key to success when designing a kitchen or bathroom. Well thought out built-in cabinets and shelves go a long way to make a room feel fresh and uncluttered . The classic notion “a place for everything, and everything in its place”, is perfect advice when designing a kitchen or bathroom.
Contracts and communication
Involving contractors early in the design process has many advantages. Value engineering at this stage can save headaches and money down the road. This also gets the contractor on the same page with your budget expectations, preventing miscommunications later on. Be sure to check the status of a contractors license and request copies of general liability and workers compensation insurance certificates before any work begins.
When you are ready to start the project, make sure the contract has a clear timeline with meaningful deliverables at each milestone. Review all the documents, including change order forms, and ask your contractor to clarify any points you don’t understand. It is helpful at this stage to diligently go over all the material and part numbers, to make sure everything ends up in the contract. Remodeling projects are stressful and disagreements can arise easily. To minimize delays, include an Alternative Dispute Resolution clause (ADR) in the work agreement. These provide a clear road map for conflict resolution and can prevent costly legal fees. A good contract will also warranty all work, with detailed descriptions of how the contractor will act to correct faulty construction and products within a predetermined time-frame.
Below is an example of a detailed estimate from Adam Barnum of Barnum Building & Design.
My clients understand all the costs, which gives them confidence in the bid. This type of proposal starts the complex conversation about their project. Many times, using my proposals gives the client a clearer idea of what they want. It also gives them flexibility and facilitates the budget process.
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Construction and completion
A tidy contractor is a good indication for overall quality. An orderly work-site indicates high attention to detail which will carry through to the rest of the project. Taking the time to protect the interior of a home from dust and debris will pay off big time. These extra measures will prevent damages, and make the final cleanup a snap.
Clear communication is paramount during the construction phase. Request daily or weekly photos so that contractor’s can quickly send visual status updates. As changes or delays occur, meet with the contractor to revise the critical path and budget. A final walk-through with the contractor should include demonstrations of all systems and appliances. The house should be white glove clean and in better condition than when the project started.[/twocol_one][twocol_one_last][box]
What’s in?
Bathrooms
- Wet rooms/walk in showers
- Curbless showers
- Advances in low flow fixtures
- Heat recovery water drains
- Low VOC cabinets and materials
Kitchens
- Induction cooktops
- Clean built-in cabinet styles
- LED and low voltage in cabinet lighting
- Appliances and storage with integrated cabinet panels
- Wine and cheese fridges
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Let BuildZoom help you get started
With spring right around the corner, now is a great time to shake off the winter blues and start planning a fresh upgrade to your kitchen or bathroom. Contractors,like Wade Ferris of Simply Beautiful Remodeling outside of Minneapolis or Adam Barnum from Barnum Building Design In San Francisco are just a couple of the many best-in-class remodeling businesses across the nation who are using BuildZoom to connect to homeowners. If you’ve always wanted to remodel your out-of-date kitchen or bathroom, but don’t know where to start, get in touch! BuildZoom can connect you to an excellent specialist in your area in no time. BuildZoom’s resident contractor, Andrew Fischer, is also happy to help answer any of your bathroom or kitchen remodeling questions and get you one step closer to the home of your dreams.
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