Whether you’re just beginning to plan your remodel or are ready to revamp your whole home, a renovation is an exciting step that can completely transform your dwelling.
Our clients love their neighborhoods, but their house isn’t all they want it to be. They are running out of space. Or they remodeled 15 years ago, and the style is outdated. Many of our clients are moving into a home new to them and the style just doesn’t fit them.
Remodeling is the perfect opportunity to breathe new life into an old space and make it into something that expresses who you are as a person, rather than a place where you live. From updating outdated finishes and fixtures to adding a fresh aesthetic to the exterior, remaking your home is sure to invigorate it with positive vibes.
Here in Dallas, we run the gamut of styles in the different neighborhoods, from modern in newer neighborhoods to Tudor in the older ones. Let’s look at some things to think about as you move forward with your remodel.
Step 1: Determining Your Vision
A vision is the first thing any home remodeler needs to have clearly in mind before getting started. You’ll need to have a vision for your home and what you want it to look like after the renovations are complete.
This vision should include the style and aesthetic you want to incorporate into your home, plus any specific details you want to highlight. As you think through your vision, list specific qualities you want your home to have. This can be anything from a specific feel to specific function.
When you have a vision of what you want your home to look and feel like, it’s easier to decide the flow of your home and how you want the house to feel. This will make the renovation process much smoother, as you can avoid wasting time and money on an idea that doesn’t work out. This is also helpful when determining a remodeling contractor and understanding what their preferred style is. You can see this in their portfolio of remodels.
Step 2: Developing Architectural Plans & Interior Design
When you’re doing a whole home remodel, there is going to be a need to bring in professional help. The first person is an architect. They will help you with the big picture – like moving or removing walls and determining the overall flow of your home.
The second professional is an interior designer. They will help you choose the flooring, cabinets, wall colors, window treatments, and more. They will work in concert with your architect and contractor to bring your vision to life.
Step 3: Discovering Costs
When we do remodels of our clients, most of them come in with a general idea of how much they want to spend. It’s best to let a remodeling contractor know your budget from the start so they can give you the best advice on where that budget should be spent so your highest priority renovations get the budget that’s necessary.
Step 4: Hire the Right Contractor
When you’re ready to find a contractor, do your research. Consider the contractor’s experience, reviews from previous customers, and references from other people. You can see samples of their work on their website and social media. And it doesn’t hurt to ask them if they can see one of their finished projects in person if possible.
You should also check with your local board and make sure the contractor doesn’t have any major red flags. These may include a history of accidents, complaints by past customers, or other issues that would make it difficult for you to hire him/her. Make sure the contractor has a valid contractor’s license and is insured.
Keep in mind the quote from Benjamin Franklin, “The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.”
Step 5: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
Your renovation project can be a beautiful, successful journey or a challenging and disappointing one. There are many things you can do to make it easier and smoother. The three things you must keep in mind are budget, schedule, and execution.
Budget: It should be the first thing you think of when you decide what you want to do in your house. It’s also important to note that it’s not just about spending more money on the renovation. It’s about spending money wisely.
Schedule: It’s important to schedule your renovation properly. There is going to be disruption to your family so you need to work with your contractor to figure out what works best for both of you.
Execution: Having your contactor execute your plans they way they’ve been designed is what makes a project truly successful. You don’t want to be looking over their shoulder every second but you need to self-advocate if you don’t feel things are going in their right direction. Your architect and interior designer can also help you with this.
Conclusion
Home renovations can be an exciting way to bring more life into your home and make it prettier and more comfortable. The process will be disruptive but is definitely worth the inconvenience when you’re curled up on your couch reading a book in your beautiful home. That’s the litmus test.
