Knowing how to plan a cohesive whole home remodel can seem like a daunting task, but with careful planning and organization, it can be a smooth and successful process. Whether it’s your primary residence or a second home, planning a whole home remodel can be complicated, time-consuming and overwhelming. One major consideration is to work with a firm that specializes in residential renovations and tackling the entire project at once. This allows for minimal disruption while achieving continuity throughout the design. Read on as we discuss how a typical whole house renovation goes when working with a design team. We definitely suggest the importance of seeking expert advice.
COHESIVE WHOLE HOME REMODELS, WHERE DO YOU START?
New construction and home remodeling have a lot in common. The two processes share many of the same steps, from design and bidding to installation and the final reveal. Bridget Ray Interior Design has a streamlined approach to home renovation projects, overseeing the process from start to finish. We partner with outside professionals such as architects, builders, contractors, and sub-contractors throughout the process. Here, we discuss how to plan a cohesive whole home remodel, and provide insight on major points to consider during the process.
ESTABLISH YOUR GOALS FOR YOUR RENOVATION
The first step in how to plan a cohesive whole home remodel is to determine your goals and priorities. Do you want to increase the value of your home? Create more functional living spaces? Improve energy efficiency? Make a list of your priorities and use them to guide your planning process. Like any other project, we begin with a consultation to outline the specifics. Making a list of “must haves” and a list of “wants” is a good start. We become acquainted with your family’s lifestyle and uncover your wish list, which allows us to plan your design.
FIND YOUR TEAM TO ESTABLISH SCOPE, TIMELINE, AND INVESTMENT
When homeowners try to DIY home improvement projects, they often make costly mistakes. A whole house remodel is a huge project with many potential issues that can arise. Establish your multi-disciplinary team of an interior designer, contractor, and architect (if needed). A full team helps you to develop a plan for your remodel that meets your goals, fits your budget, and maximizes the potential of your home. Working with a full design team prevents costly mistakes, or even dangerous ones.
A renovation team will manage the entire renovation process for you and guide you through the planning process. The team also ensures continuity of aesthetics and quality materials and workmanship. Your design team will apply for permits, schedule inspections, and find the right contractors. They will arrange delivery and installation of all materials, fixtures and furnishings.
BUDGET FOR KNOWN AND UNKNOWN COSTS THAT COULD ARISE. A COHESIVE WHOLE HOME REMODEL CAN BE TRICKY.
Set a budget by determining how much money you can realistically spend on your remodel. We can help you determine ideal materials and finishes available that align with your investment. Be sure to leave room in your budget for unexpected expenses that may arise during the project. It’s quite common that no matter how strategically you plan, your renovation will take longer. This is because older homes have the unknowns behind the walls, under the floors, and in other places. Once demolition begins, these things are discovered, thus extending the time it takes and potentially adding cost. Cushioning your investment with at least 20% can help these circumstances.
ENERGY SAVING UPDATES
Homeowners can also consider energy-saving updates such as windows, doors, and insulation during the planning and design phase. The landscaping and the layout of your home can reduce heat loss allowing you to take advantage of passive heating and cooling. Your design team’s expertise will ensure your home is well-sealed and efficient.
PLAN FOR PLENTY OF CREATIVE STORAGE SOLUTIONS
Big family? Grandkids visit often? Or just have a lot of personal items that need their space? A renovation project is perfect for incorporating plenty of functional storage space. A designer can suggest new ideas for attractive yet sensible storage solutions utilizing special architectural features. Creating a huge walk-in pantry with beautiful millwork for a kitchen, or custom built-in shelves and cabinets in a family room are some ideas. We have designed gorgeous built-in’s for playrooms, family rooms, and home offices, providing great storage areas for our clients.
PLAN FOR A FEASIBILITY STUDY
It is also a good idea to do a site evaluation and feasibility study, especially if major changes are desired or if an addition is the goal. This is part of the pre-construction process and it is to ensure your project is possible. This step helps to finalize the budget and timeline for your project. If working with a design team, they will handle this for you.
GET THE FINANCES IN ORDER TO FUND THE PROJECT
Costs can range significantly from project to project depending on the scope, selections and so much more. The past several years especially, we have seen material and labor costs soar due to shortages and overall inflation with everything. Having an upfront discussion about what to expect is essential before beginning any project.
Many options are available to finance a home improvement project — some that draw on the equity you currently have in your property. These include cash-out refinancing, home equity loans and home equity lines of credit. A construction loan might make more sense if you’re doing a gut remodel. However, rates and payback periods are often steeper.
ALL AT ONCE OR IN PHASES?
Not all homeowners approach their remodel all at once, some may choose to do so in a piecemeal fashion. While homeowners believe that taking their renovation one room at a time will save money, it often results in cost overruns. The reason why is that doing the project all at once is far more efficient. If you wait a year to do phase two, the contractors and subcontractors may not be available, or materials may no longer be available. There is far less “disruption” when you do it all at once and this results in consistency and quality for the remodel.
BEGIN WITH MAJOR STUFF: STRUCTURAL, ELECTRICAL, AND PLUMBING
It is recommended to start with major structural, electrical and plumbing repairs or updates. This is one of those areas you should anticipate running into issues you didn’t know about. This is especially common if you have an older home that has been owned by several families over the last few decades. You never know if a previous owner decided to DIY a project and made possible un-permitted alterations on their own. Your design team will ensure the house is structurally sound and fully in-line with current building codes before moving onto the next phase.
SHOULD YOU STAY OR SHOULD YOU GO
If your remodel involves a good amount of demolition and construction, your home could be uninhabitable for days, weeks or even months. Moving out temporarily during demolition and repairs and then again during kitchen and living space remodels may be a good idea, and lessen the stress of a remodel. So it’s important to consider this during the initial planning phase and allow for costs associated with living elsewhere for a bit. If possible, group major projects together, so you only have to move out once.
READY TO BEGIN?
Learn what to expect before working with a design team on your next renovation project. Schedule a Discovery Call with us today to begin.
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