Remodeling your home is a big undertaking – from deciding what you really want in your renovation, to hiring the right contractor, to managing your budget – it can quickly become overwhelming! It’s a big decision and should be treated as such. At Medford Design-Build, we understand your desire to feel confident in that decision, and we want to help you get there.
Our goal is not to ‘wow’ our clients with pretty pictures or unrealistic estimates, but rather, to arm them with the knowledge and facts they need to make the best decisions for their remodel. With an emphasis on client education and involvement, we have simplified the otherwise intimidating process of remodeling your home.
In order to have a successful remodel, there are some things that should be done on the homeowner’s end before the remodeling begins. This will make the entire process much easier on you and set you up for a smooth and successful experience. If you are planning a major remodel, here are 5 preliminary steps we strongly recommend:
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1. Decide What You Really Want in Your Project
You have probably spent a good amount of time dreaming about your home renovation project. Even if you have it all in your head, it’s still a good idea to grab a pen and paper and write down the things that are most important to you. Be sure to order the list according to priority, and make sure it’s very detailed. The more clarity you have about what you want, the easier it will be to communicate your ideas to your contractor.
The best tool we recommend for collecting inspiration photos is Houzz.com. This site allows you to browse home photos, save them to “idea books”, and make notes of what you like or dislike about each photo. You can then share the idea book with your contractor directly from the site. It’s a great way to discover new home trends, get some fresh ideas, and communicate those ideas with your contractor. Best of all: it’s free!
2. Establish Your Budget
If you’ve done your research, you know that just about every home remodeling project comes with a hefty price tag. Unfortunately, it’s often more expensive than homeowners expect. The reality is that completing a major remodel is a lifestyle investment for those who intend to spend many more years in their current home.
For some insight on what your remodel might cost, check out the price chart we have put together on our website. While these prices are not exact, they are very close ballpark numbers based on our years of experience completing each specific type of remodeling project.
This cost vs. value report is also a great place to start. While it’s pricing is not exact either, it will provide you with a realistic expectation for the cost of your project.
Remember that it’s important to be realistic when it comes to getting bids and interviewing contractors. Be aware that there are many so-called “contractors” out there that will tell you exactly what you want to hear, collect your down payment, and then keep adding costs for hidden items that were not included initially. Many times, these characters run out of money halfway through the project and then disappear without completing the work. The old saying is right – if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
The key to budgeting your home remodel is to balance what you can afford and what the project will cost. If you’d like more information about the general pricing for a specific type of home remodeling project, we’d be happy to email you a sample design package, which details our process and some ballpark pricing. Please submit a form on the Contact Us page of our website or give us a call at our office to request the sample design package email: (817) 446-0368.
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3. Determine How You Will Pay for Your Project
One of the first questions homeowners have when preparing for a home remodel is how they will pay for the project. Unless you have a sufficient amount of money saved up, it’s a good idea to seek outside funding for major expenses in order to avoid depleting your savings.
The best source we can offer for information about financing your home improvement project is our wonderful representative at Frost Bank: Diana Sharp.
Diana has assisted many of our clients and would be happy to meet with you for a consultation to discuss your specific needs.
Whether you just need a few questions answered or would prefer an in-depth conversation to determine the best options for you, Diana is your girl!
Give her a call at (817) 420-5242 or drop her an email at diana.sharp@frostbank.com.
4. Plan Your Project with a Home Remodeling Design Firm
Because there is so much involved in a major remodel, it’s best to hire a professional home remodeling design firm, like Medford Design-Build, to help you get started. We’ll outline your entire project with you, so you can see the big picture.
The outlining process includes:
• An Educational On-site Consultation at your home to discuss your project, answer your questions, and specify your wants and needs
• Floor Plans and 3-D Renderings of your remodeled space
• A detailed Scope of Work Document to breakdown everything required to complete the project, including the materials and installation costs
• A Budget Items Worksheet to show the allowance of cost for your selection items
• A Proposal Review Meeting to go over the designs, discuss the proposal, and make any requested revisions
Check out this educational blog post for more information about our design process, and this project blog post showcasing how the process came together in a kitchen remodel we recently completed.
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5. Choose the Right Contractor
Once your project has been designed, you’ll need to decide if you’d like to manage the project on your own or if you prefer to have a general contractor complete the project for you. Whichever route you choose to take, it’s essential that you are familiar with the process and the steps that need to take place.
As a design-build firm, Medford Design-Build offers to complete the construction of the designs we draw. This full turn-key service means that we manage the entire process and complete every step of your project from start to finish:
• Layout the schedule with you and set the construction start date
• Obtain required building permits from the city
• Provide selection assistance with our professional interior designer
• Order and track all of the products and materials for your project from our trusted vendors
• Install your remodel via our vetted group of professionals
• Complete necessary final inspections to ensure everything is done correctly and to code
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An important part of choosing the right contractor for your project is to do your research and be sure the contractor has good reviews. No matter how simple or complex your home renovation is, you should always seek reference from the contractor’s past clients. Medford Design-Build offers a list of over 200 references, organized by project type, so you can get an honest review from someone that had a first-hand experience with us on a project similar to yours.
Here are 3 questions you should ask when calling a contractor’s references:
1. Did the project turn out how you wanted?
2. Was the total cost equal to the estimate provided?
3. Was the project completed in the timeframe you expected?
Of course, you’ll also want to make sure past clients have good things to say about their experience by checking out the contractor’s reviews.
While these 5 steps are only the beginning of your home remodeling journey, taking the time to get these things done will set you up for a significantly better experience than if you were to jump in without any knowledge or preparation. Just as with any big financial investment, it’s important to fully understand what you’re paying for and the process it will require to get you there. It might seem tedious, and even overwhelming, but it will be well worth it when your project is complete, and you are 100% satisfied with the outcome and the experience!
If you have questions or would like more information about remodeling your home, our team would be more than happy to help. Contact us today to get started!
Warm Regards,
The Medford Design-Build Team
