The best home remodeling projects are a bit like dinner at a five-star restaurant. The quality of the experience starts with vision and preparation before the magic actually happens. Before buying materials or hiring a contractor, we recommend that you consider the five stages of home remodeling, each of which play an equally important role.
Planning: Large and Small Details
Start by perusing magazines, talking with friends and neighbors, and collecting ideas from online photo galleries. After establishing a cohesive vision, begin scouting the hardware, appliances, and other materials you want.
The goal should be a comfort level with discussing your home remodeling goals with contractors, as well as creating a list of specific details to be included. Planning is complete when you are ready to seek estimates.
Budget: Get Quotes and Establish Financing
You likely know how much you can spend, and how much you prefer to spend. The budgeting phase may require reconciling your budget to your goals — perhaps you can get the look you want without breaking the bank, or perhaps you can get a greater return on investment with a higher-end remodel.
Market rates are constantly changing, so get several quotes to make sure you have a fair deal. Some considerations:
- Compare quotes carefully. Be wary of wildly low estimates.
- Does the home remodeling contractor provide an architect or designer to work with?
- Do I need to procure materials myself, or does the contractor have the best pricing?
- Does the contract incentivize the remodeler to cut corners?
When the budget is settled, line up financing or establish a payment plan with the contractor. Depending on the project, there may be various home improvement loans or second mortgage options.
Demolition: From Sledgehammers to Debris Removal
Perhaps you relish the opportunity to take a sledgehammer to a wall or cabinet — just be careful and have the proper tools for demolition if you undertake any of this yourself.
The safest and best bet is to include demolition in the home remodeling service. Demolition creates dust and debris that must be removed carefully. Professionals will know how to remove structures without damaging the home’s infrastructure or creating a large mess.
Construction: What Happens During Home Remodeling
While numerous craftsmen go in and out of the house, the home remodeling contractor is your point of contact. If you have questions or requests, the contractor should be available for communication and facilitating any last-minute changes.
We generally advise checking into a hotel for larger home remodeling projects. The commotion and debris are best avoided. Power and water may be turned off sporadically throughout the day as well.
Cleaning: Wrap-Up and Post-Construction
Local waste management laws typically call for commercial collection of home remodeling projects, so talk to your contractor about their solution for clean up. The finished rooms should be tidy and ready for use upon completion. Our team also offers post-construction services ranging from paint touch-ups to emergency maintenance should the need arise.
Knowing what’s ahead helps prepare you for the greatest success in your next home remodeling experience. Make contact with the team at McNeil Construction for more information about our service, beginning with pre-construction planning to assess and design the project.