Is your home ready for a remodel? If your key living spaces are outdated and do not meet your family’s needs then a fresh kitchen design, bathroom remodel, or first floor update might be the answer. Embarking on a remodel can seem like a daunting endeavor, but the reward is worth it.
Preparation is key if you want your project to be a success. It is essential that you set out clear goals and priorities and establish a realistic budget before you proceed. This will help you when finalizing your project scope and in choosing materials. It also provides a framework for establishing a clear project plan to implement your remodel.
By working with a professional and reliable design and remodeling firm, you can take the stress out of the process and ensure your project is a complete success. Let’s get started by exploring everything you need to know before you start your remodel!
Clarify Your Goals and Priorities
Any project in your home requires clear goals so everyone involved understands the purpose of your remodel and can work toward a shared vision. Kick start this process by thinking about your home as it is, and figure out what you like and don’t like about your existing spaces. Discuss it with other members of your household, particularly for shared spaces that everyone needs to use and enjoy.
Decide what your main reasons are for remodeling, such as:
- Changing your layout to create a better flow of traffic, more efficient work spaces, and better areas for relaxation and entertainment.
- Updating your home’s aesthetic with a fresh color scheme, enhanced materials, and stylish accessories.
- Improving functionality with better storage solutions, more durable surfaces like countertops, and smart design features like motion-activated faucets.
- Remodeling due to weather damage, to fix all or part of a space in your home that sustained damage.
You might be remodeling to fit your family’s changing needs. For example, if yours is a young, growing family you may want to change your first floor to an open plan layout, add on to your existing living spaces, or expand your kitchen and other essential rooms by bumping out an external wall.
On the other hand, if you are remodeling for aging in place, you will be focused on balancing safety and ease of access with style.
Lastly, ask yourself how long you plan to stay in this home. If this is your forever home, in which case you should remodel to enhance your own enjoyment of your home. If, on the other hand, you are remodeling with a view to move in the next few years, you should pay careful attention to the local real estate market and plan your remodel to fit the expectations of potential buyers.
Understand Your Remodeling Budget
Before you invest any real time in planning your remodel, you must first consider how much money you are willing and able to spend on your home. Be as realistic as possible when planning your budget and take time to clearly understand the costs that go into a remodel. This includes budgeting for materials, labor, permits, contingency, and any other impacts such as needing to pay for storage or temporary housing.
Your total project costs will vary widely depending on your existing space, the condition of your home (for example, if there are significant repairs that need to be included), the scope of your project, and the materials you select.
Remember that new custom cabinets typically form a large part of a materials budget and luxury materials will drive up your costs. However, you also get what you pay for in a remodel, so better quality materials will look better and typically last longer.
If this seems like a daunting process, don’t worry! An experienced designer can help you figure out the full costs that go into your remodel and develop a clear budget. Transparent pricing is also essential if you need to seek financing for your project.
At Guthrie Kitchen & Bath Plus we work closely with our clients to fully understand their requirements and put together material selections and pricing to meet their needs. We also assist our clients by helping them to understand the differences between various design options and products so they know exactly what they are paying for.
By working with a reliable design and remodeling firm in creating a realistic budget, you can save yourself headaches, and even money, in the long run by making sure you stay on track and complete your project according to your budget.
Learn About ROI and Resale Considerations
Are you remodeling your forever home for your personal enjoyment? Or is this a remodeling project to help you improve your home’s value with a view to selling in the next few years? The answer to these questions will largely determine how you measure your project’s return on investment.
If you are remodeling for personal enjoyment then it pays to spend as much as you are able to create your dream home – whether that is a pro-chef style kitchen design or a spa-vibe master bath design. Maybe you even want to pursue a first-floor or whole home remodel to transform your house into the home you always wanted without having to move!
If you think you might sell your home then it helps to look at your local real estate market and see which design features are popular among potential buyers. Focus on these items to make your home competitive vis a vis neighboring properties. You could also review recent regional cost vs. value reports to learn more about the return on investment for remodeling different spaces throughout your home.
Choose the Right Remodeling Team
Unless you are a remodeling professional yourself, and have the time available to commit to your project, then you need to work with an experienced and professional design and remodeling team. Any project that involves more than a simple DIY effort means it is time to bring in the professionals to make sure your project is completed on time, within budget, and to a high standard.
Look for local companies that understand homes in your area, and make sure you choose an experienced company that has worked on projects similar to yours in scope and style. Check out their website portfolio and social media pages to view recent projects completed by their team. Seek referrals from family and friends, and check out recent reviews for local companies.
By working with a reliable, full-service firm you can be assured that your project will be a success.
An experienced design and remodeling firm will complete your project in a stress-free manner, helping you to create the ideal design for your needs, find the perfect products, obtain necessary permits and approvals, and make sure the right individuals are on site when you need them. Their experience and insights can save you time and money in the long run.
Understand the Process and Timeline
Any major remodeling project takes time and must follow a carefully planned process to complete it successfully. Planning, selecting and ordering products, obtaining permits, scheduling contractors, demolition, construction, and putting on the finishing touches – every step must come together smoothly to make sure your project is completed according to your design vision.
The actual length of your project will vary widely depending in large part on your scope of work and the products you select. A multi-space remodel, a home addition, or any project that involves significant changes to the layout will typically take longer than a “rip out and replace” remodel of a single room.
By working with an experienced team and a reliable project manager, you can be assured that your project will be managed smoothly, that the process will be clear, and that updates and changes will be communicated to you clearly during the project.
Take time to discuss the process with your chosen design firm at the beginning of the project so you understand what will happen and when. Make sure you know when contractors will start and finish work each day, how they will access your home, where they will store tools and materials during the project, and what the other impacts will be (e.g., noise levels, water turned off, etc.).
Select Materials and Finishes that Fit Your Lifestyle
Once you understand your project scope and style, it is time to select the products and materials that will complete your design vision! This is an important step in bringing your design to life, but it also impacts on your project timeline and your budget.
There are a wide range of products and materials available for every space in your home, so it can seem like a daunting task to pick the right ones to fit your needs.
Work with your designer to explore options, ask them about the differences in quality, and understand the durability and long-term maintenance for your preferred options.
Make sure you look at how the various materials will come together to create a cohesive style for your space, including cabinets, tile and flooring, countertops, accessories, paint colors, and more. When you visit the Guthrie Kitchen & Bath Plus showroom you can view samples onsite and easily see how they work together.
Consider your needs and your budget when picking materials. Look at your home’s aesthetic, but also your lifestyle. Who will use this space and how often? Do you have kids or pets in your home? Do you entertain frequently and how often do you cook? How willing are you to keep up with a more specialized cleaning and maintenance routine?
These and other questions will help you find the ideal materials that support your home’s style and functionality requirements.
Prepare for Living Through a Remodel
Remodeling is a messy business but your reliable design and remodeling firm will manage your project to make it as stress free as possible. It helps to be prepared before starting your project so you know what to expect and how best to keep your home life going while the work is underway.
For a large project, you may decide to move out of your home temporarily and you may need to find storage for some of your home’s contents. If you will remain in your home, make sure you know which areas are off limits during the remodel. Plan to have a safe zone for kids and pets and make sure they stay away from the area where the work is taking place.
If this is a kitchen remodel, consider setting up a temporary kitchen space somewhere else in your home with a refrigerator and basic storage for a few key food items, plates, and silverware. Don’t forget somewhere to plug in the coffee maker! If the water will be turned off during the remodel, find out when and if this will impact your family getting ready for work or school.
Talk to your contractor to find out how they will manage dust and mess in your home during the remodeling process. If they will need to access your home while you are away, you may need to invest in a lock box so all contractors can easily access your keys when needed.
Get Ready to Remodel with Confidence!
We all know that a remodeling project can fee overwhelming, but it also provides a unique opportunity to transform your home. The best way to make sure your project is a complete success is through careful planning, from setting out clear project goals to choosing a reliable design and remodeling firm, determining your budget, selecting products, and more.
Understand the process before you get started and partner with a remodeling professional to create home living spaces that work for you. The Guthrie Kitchen & Bath Plus team is ready to help! Contact us today to learn more about our design and remodeling services.