From early 2020 to the present, people have been encouraged to spend more time at home. Many are still working from home as a vast majority of companies have since made the shift to fully remote employment. Vacationing and virtually all traveling were brought to a halt. These lifestyle changes, coupled with the drop in interest rates and influx of home buyers that resulted, caused many homeowners to consider remodeling. Projects like converting a space to a home office or adding on a game room so the family can spend more time together became realistic options.
For others, being at home more made them realize that the whole house needs updating – the kitchen, the bathrooms, the flooring, the paint, the windows, the interior and exterior doors, the lighting… everything! A whole house remodel is just that; an option for homeowners that are ready to refresh their entire home in one project.
It’s understandable that taking on a project of this size can feel overwhelming. If you’re in this position and don’t know where to start, the Medford Team is happy to help!
Here are the 3 main steps for completing a whole house remodel with Medford Remodeling:
1. Talk it Out with Our Pros
The first step to any remodeling project is an educational on-site consultation. During this consultation, one of our professional designers will meet with you in your home to discuss your ideas, answer your questions, walk you through the process. Most importantly, they can provide you with realistic expectations on what is doable based on the structure of your home and your budget. After all, it’s hard to plan for something if you don’t know what to expect!
With over 40 years in the remodeling industry, we consider our team to be experts, so you can be confident that the information and advice provided are honest and accurate, and of course, have your best interest in mind.
2. Organize Your Plans with a Custom Design Package
Every major remodel requires a custom design package to be completed prior to construction. As you can imagine, remodeling an entire home is an extensive and detailed process. Ensuring the project runs as smoothly as possible means the proper documentation and planning needs to be done beforehand.
The purpose of the design package is not only to provide a clear visual of the remodeled space, but also to outline everything that is to be done throughout construction. This includes process, timeline, and pricing details.
Each package includes floor plans, 3D renderings, a Scope of Work document, and a Budget Items Worksheet:
Floor Plans & 3-D Renderings
Our detailed floor plans and 3D renderings will allow you to see the structural changes that will be made to your home, as well as the aesthetic features to be included in the remodeled rooms. We do this by taking photos and measurements of your existing home and building it into our rendering software. Our designers then draw the details of the house (walls, flooring, cabinetry, countertops, windows, lighting, finishes, etc.) according to the inspiration photos and notes we’ve collected from you during your prior measure appointment.
This visual aid is extremely helpful because it brings to life an idea that you have only imagined. It can either confirm what you want in your remodel or prove that what you had in mind might not work. In either situation, our team of designers can assist you with suggestions and ideas to provide the best possible outcome of your project.
Scope of Work Document
The comprehensive Scope of Work document details all of the project specifics, such as foundation, framing, plumbing, electrical, paint, drywall, countertops, tile, and so on. In regard to an entire home remodel, there are a substantial number of details to specify. We want to be sure that you as the homeowner understand precisely what is to be included, and what is not.
Also addressed in this document is the estimated timeframe, insurance and warranty disclosures, change order processes, the total cost for materials and labor, and a proposed payment schedule. During your review meeting, our designers will go over these details with you in-depth, answering any questions you have and ensuring nothing is overlooked. Any revisions to the Scope of Work can be made as needed, prior to the execution of the contract.
Budget Items Worksheet
Think of Budget Items as your “shopping list” of items you get to pick out. These are items that don’t have a set price until they’re selected, such as flooring and tile selections, countertop material, decorative lighting, etc. Each can range in price depending on what you choose. For example, you can splurge on your countertops by choosing an exotic option or save money by selecting a less-expensive countertop option.
We provide an allowance for each of these items and include them in the total cost for the project. If this final number isn’t where we want it to be, the selected budget items can be adjusted to control the total project cost.
Design Package Review Meeting
The review meeting is scheduled at one of our two DFW offices once all of the documents in your design package are complete. During the meeting, our designer will pull up the floor plans and 3D renderings on the big screen and walk you through the structural and aesthetic design of your remodeled home. They will then go over the Scope of Work document, Budget Items Worksheet, and our proposal to complete the construction.
After any revisions are made, the designs are yours. You are then able to make your decision to continue with us as your contractor for construction or use the designs we’ve provided to get competitive bids from other contractors. Of course, if you do choose to hire us as your contractor (and we hope you do!), the cost of the design package will be credited to the down payment for construction.
3. Have the Construction Completed with Full Project Management
Once you sign your contract and pay your down payment, our skilled production team will take the reins, providing complete project management throughout the duration of your remodel. Under the guidance of our Production Manager, your assigned Lead Carpenter will be your point of contact throughout the duration of the project and follow-up with you at the end of each day. We will obtain the required permits from the city, provide you with selection assistance via our interior designer, order and track all of your materials, work with our vetted team of trade professionals (plumber, electrician, carpenter, etc.) and ensure that final inspections are completed by the city once everything is complete. Working with Medford, you will be very much involved and aware of what is happening throughout your remodel, but you will not be responsible for managing any of it on your own!
Deciding to remodel your whole house might seem overwhelming, but Medford Remodeling is here to assist you every step of the way! If you are interested in remodeling your home or have questions about the process, we would be happy to chat! Give us a call or fill out a contact form to get started today.
Sincerely,
The Medford Team
