Designing a Remodeling Project

Once you have a clear idea about your remodeling project, the funding squared away and a contractor picked, what comes next? The initial quote and scope of work from our estimate appointment are just a starting point. After we provide a quote and the homeowner decides to move forward with us, the design process gets us from the accepted quote to a construction contract and project start date. During the design process, we work with our clients to fine-tune everything. This can happen within a single meeting or take place over several weeks. Depending on the complexity of the design, we may also collaborate with specialists like cabinetry designers, plumbers, electricians, heating and cooling technicians, architects, and interior designers. Also, depending on the size of the project, the design process may take place over email and phone calls, or it may require in-person meetings either at the showrooms of our local suppliers or in your home. At the end of this process, we compile the full scope of work, design decisions, and all other project planning considerations into a construction contract.

Here are the elements we will consider during the design and project planning process:

• Floor Plans

• Finishes

• Project Logistics

Floor Plans

What issues do you hope to resolve with this project? How do you hope to use the space in the future? Are you hoping to open-up your space by removing a load-bearing wall? Or are you hoping to create an additional bedroom? These questions will play an important role in the layout of each space and the creation of new floor plans or re-working current floor plans. Your floor plan outlines the structure needed for the intended use of the space. Floor plans are a key part of the design process for new spaces like additions, basement finishing and kitchen remodeling. They also take into consideration elements like plumbing and heating and cooling, making sure everything is designed to code. We use drafting software to create new floor plans and provide a rendering of what the space will look like after the project is completed. Once the client is happy with the floor plans, and everything meets the relevant building codes, we can discuss finishes.

Finishes

After finalizing the floor plans, we focus on the finishes – selecting the materials that will work best with the space, intended use, and design preferences of our clients. Do you want to use design elements that blend seamlessly with the rest of the house? Or are you moving in a different direction with décor and design? Maybe this project is the first step on that path.

Depending on the project, choosing the material finishes may be possible with an in-person meeting at the clients home, remotely over email, or by meeting at our local suppliers’ showrooms. Projects that tend to require more decisions on material finishes include kitchens, basement finishing, and additions. If our clients want additional support with this process, we collaborate with local interior designers who can meet with our clients in their space and at our local suppliers’ showrooms to pull together the look they are after. Projects that can typically use a remote or in-home design process include decks and pergolas, patios, and some bathrooms. For these projects, we can bring samples of decking products to the home or send information from our supplier websites for our clients to select from. Once our clients have selected all of the necessary materials, we move into the final stage of project planning: logistics.

Image credit for interior finish selections of blue paint, countertop and tile: Emili J. Spencer.

Project Logistics

When we put together the construction contract, we include information about the project start date, duration, work hours, and any other tasks that we will do to make our clients’ lives easier while the remodeling project is underway. As we plan for logistics, we want to know if there are any scheduling considerations we should know about. We will also discuss our clients’ plans to live in their home and largely avoid the work space while the project is underway. Some plans in the past have included using an alternative entry to the home, setting up a make-shift kitchen elsewhere in the house, showering somewhere else while the only shower in the house was being remodeled, or making sure pets and small children are kept safely away from the project area. We will also discuss how we will gain regular entry into the project space, to minimize disruptions in other areas of the home. Remodeling is disruptive by nature, but we try to minimize this to the best of our ability.

Pulling it All Together

After finalizing floor plans, picking material finishes, and discussing project logistics, we compile everything into a construction contract. This contract serves as a record for everyone to be able to refer to as the project is underway. If things need to change during the project, that is okay too. We always communicate proactively with our clients and expect them to do the same with us. If changes are necessary, we will discuss options and potential impacts to the project schedule or budget before writing everything down into a change order form. We believe that clear and consistent communication and documentation are important keys to successful remodeling projects.