The Process and Methods of Planning a Home Renovation or Remodel

The thought of a home remodeling/renovation project brings great excitement.  The idea of being able to transform the space in which you spend great amounts of time with your family is thrilling for the endless possibilities it could entail.  The ability to turn your dream home into reality can have you fantasizing about the final result for hours on end.  What may escape you though is the hard work and immense planning that goes into a project such as this.  In order for the results to turn out the way you dreamt, a process must be followed to ensure every aspect of what is to occur is taken into account.  Fortunately, at RessaBuilt, we have navigated this path a thousand times.  We feel that the following steps and methods will give you the best chance of successfully making your way through the home remodeling or renovation planning phase.

1. Scope of Work/Budget

 Most likely you have been thinking about what you want to accomplish for some time.  Now is the time to solidify the specific changes, upgrades, or expansions you want the renovation or remodel to address.  It is extremely important for this plan to be as accurate as possible since it will directly translate over to the cost of the project.  At this point, you will be able to determine whether what you want completed is in line with your budget and if any adjustments need to be made.  Also, consider the funding at this time.  For example, applying for a home equity loan is a time-consuming process.  It is essential to take your time during this phase of the planning as changes passed this point will most likely only increase the amount of money you will spend and delay any following aspects of work.

2. Research Contractors/Consider DIY(Do It Yourself) Work

The consideration now becomes how the actual physical work will be accomplished.  Smaller projects, such as general maintenance and painting, you may be able to do yourself.  Even aspects of larger projects such as demolition you may be able to take on in order to save some money.  Do be aware though anything involving electricity or plumbing will most likely require a licensed tradesman.  For substantial projects such as additions or complete renovations, it is almost guaranteed that you will need to hire a general contractor who specializes in custom home building.  This will allow you to have someone who hopefully has years of experience guide the project as it progresses and give you peace of mind.  Be diligent and particular in your search for a contractor.  Get references from their past clients and even try to see that work firsthand if possible.  Most importantly get multiple quotes so you can gauge the market and don’t end up making a poor decision based simply on an inexpensive price.

3. Permitting 

If you have hired a general contractor to take on your project, either they or your architect will be the one that handles the permitting process.  It is still good though to be knowledgeable about the procedure as it still may require some of your input.  Permitting can take a significant amount of time (months) especially if your project involves zoning issues.  Ideally, applications should be submitted as soon as possible to guarantee that work can start on schedule.  An insider tip is to become familiar with your local permitting office and those that work there as having an advocate on the other side of the desk can be extremely helpful if your application runs into a roadblock.

4. When the permits come in, work should be able to begin!

The majority of construction projects will follow the below template with required government inspections interspersed throughout.  Obviously, each project is unique, but anticipate operations to occur in the following order.

1. Demolition: The existing structure or assets that are being changed will be removed and either disposed of or donated to a charitable venture such as Habitat for Humanity or Community Forklift.
2. Framing/Structural Work: The skeleton of your project will be constructed.  Walls will be framed and structural elements such as beams will be set.
3. MEP/Working in the Walls: Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing will be installed by a licensed tradesman.
4. Insulation/Walls: Insulation will be installed followed by closing up of the walls by drywall.
5. Painting/Flooring: There is some debate about which occurs first, floors or walls, either way, drywall will be sanded/painted, and floors will be finished.
6. Fixture Setting: Cabinetry, appliances, and lighting/plumbing fixtures will be installed.
7. Final Inspection: Once passed, moving in can be planned!

We know it’s tempting to want to start your project quickly, but we will reiterate again; the more time you take planning your project, the greater chance your project will follow the projected path and finish on time.  Throughout this process be realistic about timelines and understand that tasks rarely get completed ahead of schedule and generally take longer than you would believe.  Additionally, always be ready for the unexpected.  Problems will arise during your project that will add time and money.  If you go into your project understanding these realities, when they occur, you will be able to deal with them with far less stress and heartache.

Want more insight into how RessaBuilt can help you transform your home?  Check out the informative articles on our blog, or contact us to get your own home remodeling project started.