Transformations Made One Space at a Time

Transformations Made One Space at a Time

Preparing for a Redesign It's important to know what choices you have. Have fun trying out new looks and styles. Learn what appeals to you. Don't worry about how much anything will cost just yet. Conceptualization has just begun.

Get organized and make a wish list! Browse design periodicals, catalogues, the internet, and more for inspiring images (but toss the magazines instead of using them) and use the images elsewhere. Use accordion files or a notepad and organize them by area or topic if you only have one.

Inspectorate Subcontractors! Employ a minimum of two and preferably three contractors for each project. Investigate them further by contacting the BBB and requesting both written and verbal recommendations. Getting recommendations from other contractors will help you find reliable installers more quickly.

Seek Estimates! Plan ahead to have many service providers provide simultaneous bids for the different work components. In the span of nine hours today, for instance, I had a dozen different contractors come out and provide estimates for at least six distinct parts of the work I want to have done. I was able to get more done in a day because of this efficient strategy. It's rare that I have two clients in the same field at once, but it does happen. Knowing there is stiff competition typically makes them more amenable to a bargain.

Put some money down!Once you have received all of the bids, you will be able to determine if it is best to go ahead immediately, in three months, in six months, or in a year. A claim of inability to pay made in the absence of knowledge of real costs is a meaningless and laughable one. Don't second-guess yourself; instead, collect all the available information before acting. Don't skimp in the near term just to pay for it in the long run; instead, think about the broad picture and the long haul.

Schedule! The right sequencing of tasks will be possible after you have accurate information about the lead times of the contractors and the delivery schedules of the products (you can hire a general contractor to do this, or go for it yourself). If you're not sure whether the contractor should come first (flooring before or after paint, oh no! ), just ask. Make a schedule with due dates and first completion dates. Make sure that any contracts you sign have a clause that says the contractor will have to pay a fine if they are late or miss their deadlines.

Keep in touch!Before paying the final invoice in full, be sure you've checked off everything on the punch list for each contractor. Once they have been paid in full, it is quite difficult to have them returned. Keep track of at least 10 percent of the work until you're happy with your progress.

Celebrate! Organize a get-together to celebrate the completion of the renovations! Honor even the smallest of accomplishments, such as the installation of a brand-new floor, the selection of a particularly lovely coat of paint, the addition of crown molding, or the installation of attractive new light fixtures. All of this contributes to a more lovely existence.

Construction Management During Renovations A general contractor would add an extra 20% to the total cost of my project, so it goes without saying that I will be doing it on my own. As someone who has served as a general contractor for multiple customers at no cost to them, I have a firm grasp of what is required. First and foremost, you need a talent for organizing your time, and then you need to follow up, follow up, follow up.

Irrevocable cost estimates and delivery schedules are necessary! If you're working with contractors, it's crucial to include a section in your contracts outlining completion dates and the repercussions of missing them. I get that if a wall or floor is opened up, there may be surprises waiting to be discovered, but I'm referring to the situation when the contractor has too many jobs on their plate and yours gets pushed to the side. All of my vendors are well aware of the fact that other groups are counting on them to finish on time and that they stand to lose money if they don't.

Time management is essential. Every time a contractor is brought on board, I double-check to make sure they're on schedule. For example, my carpet installer might want to set up shop after the painter has finished his work so that he can do touch-ups.Since this is what the carpet guy desires, that is how things will be done. I have also factored in the siding expert's request that the stone veneer be installed before he begins working on the remainder of the home.

Never stop keeping an eye on things! At the very least, I check in with the contractors once a week to verify that we are still on track with the current timeline. A little margin separates victory and defeat. We are currently beginning on the weekend of July 1 with a contractor who is available to work through the Fourth of July. The stone workers will be on site as he works on the other side of the home, so the window and dormer replacement may be done simultaneously. My siding contractor will begin working on my house on Tuesday, July 11 (in a week). At the same time, my interior painter will be there from July 1–11 to get his work done, and my carpet installer will arrive on July 11 to get his work done.

Organize regular site inspections! The most important thing to remember is that you shouldn't freak out too much if you're unfamiliar with a project that's already in progress. Fortunately, I am used to adapting quickly to new circumstances and am ready to think on my feet to address problems as they emerge. Alterations to the design are something I can do as well. It's crucial that you understand this. I had a customer who actively slowed down work on his project because he refused to give them permission to reach a stage where an inspection would make sense. He had no idea what was happening in the meantime, so he insisted that everything be scrapped and started again. The objective of employing professionals like designers, builders, and contractors is to have them perform the work for you. Therefore, doing it yourself is unproductive, useless, and defeats the purpose of doing so.

Gratitude should be expressed. Owners frequently overlook the importance of thanking the contractors who worked on their projects. Paying them is insufficient. If you are satisfied overall, you might consider writing a recommendation letter. Thanks to these references, employees who are good at their jobs can be sure that they will keep their jobs.