Welcome back - it’s so exciting to have a space to expand on all the things I want to say about home projects. Remodeling can be scary. It’s a lot of time, energy, and money and you don’t want to get to the other side with regrets. A new kitchen or bathroom is more than a rug you can roll up and return - so how do you go about the process in the best way?
Be patient - really take your time to pick your team. It’s so critical that you are a good fit with our designers and contractor - are you a good personality fit? Do you have similar styles, or do you love the style coming out of their firm? Are they taking the time to understand your goals and are you taking the time to have open communication in preparation for design and budgeting? You absolutely get out what you put in here - and it takes time.
Be inspired - You will help yourself and your team if you can take some time to figure out what you like. Here in Dallas, we like a little luxury. But that can look like a lot of different things! What colors do you love and hate? What materials do you gravitate towards? This is an excellent time to use pinterest or instagram to start collecting visuals to steer your wish list.
Be informed - Know what you’re getting into. It will be loud, it will be dusty, and it will be lengthy. This isn’t a tv show where the whole place changes overnight. The end goal should be a job done correctly. There will be messes and little mistakes, but your team will handle that when it’s time for a punch list and deep clean. Also, don’t be afraid to ask questions early on so there are no mysteries. If you don’t understand something - ask. Communication helps everyone to feel prepared for the big job ahead.
Be realistic- know what the work should cost and what materials are in your budget. Please account for the fact that while the tile may be $8 a square foot, a real human takes hours and hours and hours of skilled labor to install them, and these installers deserve living wages. When planning a budget please remember that vetted, insured, licensed, trained and experienced installers are worth their rates.
Be prepared - you can’t be in the area being worked on. If you’re remodeling your bathroom - you can’t comfortably stay in the connected bedroom, trust me on this one. For a kitchen remodel - you will not have a kitchen for about 8 weeks. We always help guide our clients to set up what I call a “camping kitchen” - get cute with it - make it fun. Grill outdoors, have some picnics, embrace takeout, but stay out of your kitchen. It’s hard but worth it! It’s temporary.
Trust the process. Try to relax a little, and just remember it’s temporary. If you've hired a great team, they do not need you going into the work zone to send punch list items before it’s punch list time. Your installers and project managers will tackle corrections and edits at the right time - trust them! They all want the best outcome. They know when it’s time to bring you in for inspections and then tackle little details. You’ll drive yourself (and your team) insane if you think it’s your job to be the inspector every evening. Go relax. Ask questions when needed but remember why you hired the help.
Be kind - there will be surprises. We don’t alway know exactly what is behind the walls and supply chain issues can cause stress. Things can get hard. Did you know that remodeling and renovations are one of the top causes of divorce?! 12% of couples reported that stress during these types of projects pushed them towards divorce. Don’t be that couple. Just being aware that this will be stressful may help you see the situation for what it is. Temporary stress. If you follow this list and really prepare, this will be much easier. Maybe even fun!
Here are some items a polished team should offer - let’s call this our green flag list:
A detailed budget and VERY detailed work order
A schedule with clear goal dates for trades and completion
Good communication (we check in daily so you know we’re on it!)
Good prep. Everything covered in plastic and paper; clearly defined work areas, and areas you can go to escape the work.
A clearly defined design plan BEFORE you begin. Samples brought in, drawings, paint colors selected, renderings, basically a REAL design package and all materials accounted for before demo begins. This is a HUGE deal - never compromise on that.
If these pointers didn't scare you away - you might be a good candidate for a remodel, and we’d love to see if we are a fit for your project.
Design plans before work orders are critical for accurate ordering and for your approval.
A well designed plan should be accurate and well thought out before pricing is completed.
Know what materials are being ordered - here is a full sample round up for client approval.
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