Remodeling Process in Detail

Remodeling process in detail.

Of course the actual process of doing a remodel is much more involved than a simple list of steps. There are so many decisions to make, large and small, that anyone can get overwhelmed without a plan, and out quick overview of the process ends when the work begins! What follows is more information about these six milestones.

Setting a budget and scope of work is a first, critical step in a successful home remodeling project because creates the most important boundaries for the project and will be a guiding foundation for all the decisions that follow. It also lets your contractor know from the beginning how to guide you. The biggest mistake at this stage is to skip it and move on to shopping for materials and obtaining estimates. Another mistake is to ask a contractor to lay out your options first and “see how it goes”. That doesn’t work because your options have such a wide range! Start with your budget and what rooms you want to transform. For example, “I have a budget of $25,000.00 and I want to remodel two bathrooms.” I have a budget of $45,000.00 and I want to remodel the kitchen and guest bathroom.” I have a budget of $7,000.00 and I want to remodel the guest bathroom.”

Choosing a design style is a way of narrowing down how you want your finished room to look, feel and function from an almost endless variety of options. Remodeling an entire house means you have a blank canvas and the most creative options. If your project is limited to one or two rooms your creative work is easier because you will want to remodel in the same general style as the rest of the house. The good news is: you don’t have to learn a whole new vocabulary and become a design expert to know what you want. Here are a few questions to answer that will get you started.

• How will the room be used?

• Who will use the room?

• Is it a small space that I wish was bigger?

• What do I want the people who enter this room to feel?

With these questions answered a good contractor can help you make selections that will create a room you love without violating basic principles of design. For more involved projects a designer can provide you a more extensive questionnaire and explore more possibilities.

A good contractor is hard to find!. So you have a basic plan with a budget, scope of work and the design you want and it is time to find a contractor who can make it happen. Ideally your contractor will be qualified, licensed, experienced and give you a good vibe, someone you feel you can trust and want to work with. Start with the basics. Did you know that you can quickly and easily verify if a contractor holds a current license and insurance online? Contractors in California are regulated by the Contractors State License Board (CSLB). Their website is an excellent resource for information about contractors: https://www.cslb.ca.gov/Consumer.aspx

A good contractor: proudly shares their license number and insurance information, shows up on time, answers the phone, writes detailed estimates, doesn’t collect excessive payments in advance and most importantly, places a high value on keeping their promises.

The selection of materials (cabinets, vanity, counter tops, flooring, wall coverings), fixtures (showers, tub, faucets, sinks) and appliances will drive the cost of the estimate and also affect the time the project will take because each material selection comes with its own availability depending of the supplier and other factors. These are the big decisions for your project. Communicating these decisions to your contractor are key to getting an accurate quote.
The quote (also called estimate or bid) is the contractor’s opportunity to translate all of your discussions and material selections into a detailed written document that will determine the cost of your project and specifics on how work will be done. Once you have accepted the terms of the quote your contractor will write a contract that serves as the agreement with estimated start and completion dates, a schedule of payments, terms and conditions, right to cancel and other items required by law. Signing the contract is the most significant milestone in the remodeling process. It documents that you and your contractor have an understanding of the work to be done and the cost. It allows your contractor to file any necessary permits with the city building department. It is also the point at which the contractor can make agreements with subcontractors. It also triggers a payment process where the contractor performs certain items and payments are made.

Once the work begins you will have more decisions to make regarding the details. Specific paint colors should be documented. You should expect to work with subcontractors regarding color and styles of light switches and plate covers, the exact location of mirrors and possibly light fixtures. If tile is being installed there are choices to be made about accents, patterns and grout. Installers should be guided regarding bathroom hardware such as towel bars, toilet paper dispensers and hooks to put them in just the right location.
After work begins it is more common than not that changes will be made. Changes are a big issue in remodeling. They happen for a wide range of reasons, often because something unexpected has happened. The process of demolition sometimes reveals conditions that must be handled. Changes can be simple and easy, or challenging and costly. When changes have to be made good contractors resist the temptation to rush ahead and take the time to write clear change orders that document increases or decreases in the contract price and how the changes alter the timeline for completion. There are always surprises. Experienced remodelers learn to manage their expectations to expect the unexpected.

As the project nears completion there comes a point when the work is substantially completed with only minor finishing work, touch-ups or minor corrections to be made. At this point any building department permits pulled should have final inspection completed and signed off. Now you want to take a good look at the work and make a written list (a punch list) for the contractor with the understanding that once the items on that list are done the project is 100% complete and final payment can be made to the contractor. Good contractors write the contract with a specific final payment amount designated to be held back until completion of these final items. The amount should not be large, since the work is substantially completed, but it should be enough to motivate the contractor to take care of the punch list items.