The ABCs of Home Improvement Projects: Follow Through Point C.

The anticipation of reaching the start date of a home improvement project is exciting.  Countless inspiration photos fill your folder, many visits to showrooms to look at product seems overwhelming, and consultations with architects, interior designers, and contractors feel overwhelming.  

More times than I can count, a theme/style does begin to develop from the floor plans layouts, furniture selections, and finishing choices that appeal to your senses.  If you hired a designer/decorator to work with you (as mentioned in part A & B of The ABC's of Home Improvement Projects series), moving through the next steps of the project feel daunting.  But, I promise that you will be thankful you took the time before the construction/installation began and moved through the steps vigilantly.

Let's finish up with the final steps: 1) Got Product?, 2) Who's Watching?, and 3) Punching The Punch-List.

Follow Through Point C

Step 1: Got Product?

When can we get this project started?  If the product is not in, then you are not starting.  I mean it!  Nothing slows down progress like waiting for product to be delivered - or gasp, ordered - in the middle of installation.  

 

The perfect example is tile (see below).  How much tile is needed for the accent, the border, and the wall tile?  How will the tile pattern be placed? How will the glass be installed and is the trim tile or wood? All of these details take time and ordering the proper amounts (plus extra) may save you hundreds of dollars on material and labor.

 

Trust me, if your contractor has to wait for product, they are in business and will be off to another paying job.

 

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 Step 2: Who's Watching?

Now that all the product is in and it has been checked for accuracy, who is monitoring the installation based on the design?  Is it the Architect, Interior Designer, General Contractor, or Project Manager the person in charge?  A point person must be assigned to see the design come to fruition; otherwise, the blame game will begin and it will cost you. 

 

Sometime the best plans require adjustments based on unforeseen obstacles that become apparent behind the walls and a decision must be made. 

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One person must be in charge that directs the project, the workers, and directs the decision of the homeowner plus the designer and architect and can contact the vendors if need be.  Site visits may be another service well worth adding onto your Architect, Kitchen/Bath Designer, or Interior Designer contract.  

 

In a back-to-back bathroom project, I counted 50 plumbing fixtures and 25 different tile pieces.  That does not include the specifications for each of the products plus their location, placement height, and installation instructions.  Can you imagine how many pieces are involved in a kitchen cabinet design?

 

Establishing a point of contact at the beginning and even getting it in writing will set your mind at ease. 

 

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 Step 3: Punching The Punch-List

Sometimes a project goes off without a hitch and other times the Punch-List takes a bit of time to resolve.  For example, the kitchen cabinets are installed, but the countertops must be templated, fabricated, and installed before that beautiful backsplash can be finished.

Or, all the items have been finished and you notice a few details that require the contractor, designer, or vendor to come back and finish the detail, replace a defective piece, or simply touch-up some paint.  In Part B, Step 2 Gathering Your Estimates, I mentioned that the relationship with your professional is key.  Establishing a means of communicating these issues, remaining flexible in scheduling the necessary people, and keeping your composure during the final stages may test your resolve.  But, keep in mind, every professional wants a referral.  How these details are handle will be the straw that breaks the professional relationship or glue that sees it through "for better or for worse."


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Whether you are a DIY enthusiast or ready to hire a professional for the job, the end result is worth it - I promise! 

Click on the links to start from the beginning...
The ABCs of Home Improvement Projects: Starting At Point A
The ABCs of Home Improvement Projects: Educational Point B

Enjoy the start of your next project and if you are in the Westchester County, New York area, click here to contact True Identity Concepts for your interior design and/or decorating needs.

 

The ABCs of Home Improvement Projects: Educational Point B

In school we learned our ABCs to speak the English language successfully. Succinctly moving in a logical way from A to B to C and through the remaining alphabet taught us how to write and speak words. Armed with knowledge, the means to communicate verbally and to write well is the goal. Home improvement projects follow a similar pattern and if you skip a step, it can be challenging to recover.

If you missed first Starting At Point A, where I reviewed three steps 1) Get inspired, 2) Do Your Research, and 3) What's The Magic Number, click here to start from the beginning. Otherwise, we are moving forward in The ABCs of Home Improvement Projects: Education Point B.

Educational Point B

Photo Source:  Tumblr

A decision to take the next steps is necessary to complete a home improvement or repair and now time sounds like a nasty little word that slows down the process. It is true that organizing the right people, discussing the facts about the your project, and connecting takes time and patience before physically starting a project. Did you ever rush to get out of the supermarket only to find there was one really important item missed during the shop?

Getting The Details In Point B

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Step 1:  Call-in or go-to the experts! 

 

Armed with inspiration and pricing knowledge, it's now time to call-in or go-to an expert.  The best resource for hiring an expert comes through the referral of a friend, family member, Realtor, or other professionals who work within the industry.  By clicking on the following professionals trained in designing home related projects, you can read about their roles in the field of home design:  Architect, Interior Designer, Interior Decorator, Kitchen & Bath Expert.  Keep in mind, professionals may combine two or more related fields of interest and they may or may not belong to a specific associated membership program but still carry the credentials and/or work experience related to their field of expertise.

 

Architects & Designers Building, NYC

 

Homeowners looking to complete there own projects may opt to go to a product specific showrooms and work with an on-sight designer and/or decorator.  The good news is that often their services are included in your shopping experience.  Do consider that showroom professionals are paid to sell their companies products.  As a homeowner, you may need to visit several showrooms to gain differing product specification in order to make an informed decision (e.g. kitchen cabinets, tile, plumbing fixtures). As long as you don't mind the leg work and time involved in research, then a DIY project is up your alley.  Otherwise, paying a professional to research, design, and present options that are available to Trade Professionals may be the direction a busy homeowners should go and it is ultimately worth the price of services rendered.



Other by Durham Architects & Designers Coffee with an Architect

 

Last, but not least, many professionals are listed on a variety of home improvement sites.  Angie's List, Home Advisor, Houzz, Interior Design Pro are a few and many of the sites qualify the business for you.  Plus your local county clerk's office (e.g. Westchester County, NY) will offer a list of Licensed and Insured Plumbers, Electricians, and Contractors for your local area.  Bottom line, do a bit of checking by getting a referral, a reference or two, or do the research for a qualified professional.



 

Step 2:  Gather Your Estimates

 

Many professionals offer a free estimate, initial consultation, or paid consultation to assist in creating your dream.  Gathering information for a budget is critical before you start reaching out.  

When you call-in the experts, the purpose of your meeting is to not only gather information on their qualifications, but also to determine if you like the company, the professional, and their work.  Some projects may be as short as a day or two, while others may involve up to a year or two to complete.  You better be able to connect with the individual and like their work.  Otherwise, it may be a painful process rather than good experience where you enjoy the company of a knowledgeable trade professional.

 

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Start your meeting by discussing your project needs and inspirations.  Be prepared to talk about your family's motivation for starting the project (e.g. expecting a baby, a parent is coming to live, or the children are now finished college).  These details expand on the design by revealing the emotional and functional purposes of the home improvement project.  Next, a review of the space, project, or architectural plans may be in order.  Measurements, pictures, or additional questions will likely arise in order to receive an accurate price and determine if the professional relationship is a good fit.  It may take a day or up to a week or two to get an estimate on services, products, or the combination of both.  Be sure to ask when you can expect to receive the estimate and get a minimum of two to three estimates for price comparison, time-lines, and the scope of work required for your project.  

Step 3:  Make An Informed Decision 



The estimates are in...but, what does it all mean?  Finding remodeling costs for a project may be a little daunting, but the hourly rate, cost-plus, percentage of projects, etc. seem to all have their own set of rules.  Depending on the trade or profession, their pricing language is thrown around without a way to measure the most cost-effective approach - or, so it seems. 

The price for services can be separate (i.e., hourly rate), included in the overall project (e.g., by the square foot, flat rate or project fee) or added to the trade pricing of thee product for ordering, tracking, and processing (e.g., cost plus materials).  If you are purchasing the materials and providing it to the professional to install, then an hourly rate or by the project fee would be the way to go.  Otherwise, utilizing a trade professionals access to vendors and manufactures will result in reduced pricing for materials that could cover the fees of their services (e.g. interior decorator or designer) with the added benefit of a new kitchen, bath, or whole home interior design.

Mediterranean Living Room by Other Metro Interior Designers & Decorators Photo Source: Houzz

 

As I mentioned in Starting At Point A, an in-house designer rate may be included with the purchase of furniture, cabinetry, tile, etc.  But, if a design is required (e.g. kitchen or bath), and the professional must develop the floor plan before the product can be purchased (e.g. cabinetry, furniture, etc.), a non-refundable design retainer may be required.  Design Retainers are a commitment for services that result in an overall concept, can be applied towards the overall budget, or simply for services rendered.  It is important to clarify this with the store, employee, or professional.

Here are a few links to visit for pricing structures: 

Fixr - Remodeling Cost Guide

ASID - Interior Design Fees

Cost To Hire An Architect

Electrian Costs

Plumbing Costs

Interior Decorating Costs

Next week, the final installment of The ABCs of Home Improvement Projects:  Follow Through Point C.
 

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The ABC's of Home Improvement Projects: Starting At Point A

Access to inspirations for home improvements projects has come a long way from the earlier days of Bob Villa and This Old House programing that offered insight into the complicated forum of "How-To" complete a home project, a home renovation, or a restoration of an old home. As one of the largest investments the average person will make in their lifetime, limited information was the norm with only a handful of network programs, home magazines, and the local trusted contractors with their list of trade people to assist in the repair or improvement.

Today, information is everywhere and some homeowners and professionals wonder if it is too much of a good thing with access to the Internet, television, and organizations that specialize in the home improvement field. Media - whether on-line, through television programming, or via print swing in opposite directions by a) creating a point of view that projects are easy with their before and after pictures, b) television thirty minute programming, or c) feature programs and news reports of contractor nightmares, rip-offs, and projects gone bad.

The professionals that successfully move a project from point A to point C is fascinating and certainly captures our attention. The short pieces of information, news, and entertainment inspire a homeowner to get started. But, what about point B? Teachers taught us to follow our ABC's for a reason. Getting a home project started may be challenging, but if you follow the ABC's of home improvement, you'll be much happier with the end result.



Before & After Kitchen Renovation
Before Photo By: Jeanne At Gallo Rosso Kitchens    After Photo By: True Identity Concepts

As an Interior Design professional, improving upon an interior space involves working with many homeowners, trade professionals, and contractors. Motivation for an upgrade can vary from person-to-person, but bottom-line the return of investment (ROI), aesthetic outcome, and quality of life are the top motivating factors for renovating and/or designing a new space. My projects range from a full renovations of a kitchen or bath, refurnishing or space planning living spaces, to decorative finishes such as window treatments, new flooring, interior/exterior paint colors, and more. Let's face it, when it comes to our homes, no two projects are the same and that is the difficulty in moving from point A to point B, and getting started in point C.

Photo Source:  True Identity Concepts Tumblr

Starting At Point A

 

Whether you recently purchased a new home, a family decision is reached to upgrade a living environment, or a simply home repair leads into a home improvement project, it's time to get answers to two basic questions: How much will it cost, and how much of its value can you recoup later? Think about it like this, when you are planning for a vacation, you get inspired by a particular place and begin the planning by determining 1) where you wanted to go, 2) how you are going to get there, and 3) how much will it cost.

 Step 1:  Get Inspired!

Photo Source:  Cultivate

The American Association of Interior Designers (ASID) offers the best advice for homeowners to simply start a project by gathering pictures of spaces, materials, and designs that 'feel' right' via television, web-site, blogs, or photo galleries. I suggest starting an actual folder (on-line or hard copy) and begin by filling it with product and photos that appeal to you. Do not think about how it will work in your space. Simply let yourself be inspired by a particular style, feature, or product. A pattern will develop producing a kind-of wish list that will take you to the next steps. It's like a Holiday or Birthday Shopping Wish-List. You may not get all of the items on it, but any one or more of the items received would be a pleasant surprise. Remodeling Magazine list some of the top amenities homeowners want in their spaces.

Step 2:  Do Your Research!

Source: eLocal.com

Consider the Return Of Investment on the home improvement project. Certainly, the motivating factors could be to sell your home, create a better flow in the space, or update an aesthetic feature within the home. Knowing how long and how much value the project will add to your home value is important. The National Association of Realtors (NAR), Remodeling Magazine, and House Logic offer the latest cost vs value research for home remodeling projects.

There are a lot of remodeling cost estimators on the Internet that are free. If need be, dig a little deeper based on a related field of expertise, professional organizations, or specific project (e.g. kitchen and bath renovation).

Step 3:  What's The Magic Number?

Photo Source:  True Identity Concepts Houzz

 

Generally, when you buy a car, you know how much it will cost. Advertisements, research, and experts chime in on the best must-have features and bells and whistles offered in a new vehicle that matches your budget, lifestyle, and aesthetic. A home improvement project is determined in the same way. There are standard, mid-range, or luxury products and designs for all major home renovations, construction or additions, and products or services that fit within these categories. A must-have versus a would-like are two different points of views so have a number in mind that you will not exceed.

On-line resources offer a glimpse into specific project costs. Now, not all models i.e., homes are the same, but an informed consumer can make the processes a little easier. Houzz, National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), Fixr, Consumer Reports, Remodeling Magazine, and House Logic are reliable places to get dollars associated with home improvement projects.

Do your research to get a sense of the costs associated with a home project, product, or repair. Planning to spend a bit of your saving now or in the near future creates an informed customer who can discuss their plans with professionals and maximize the time spent during a consultation. Setting a budget number is a commitment that will test your relational fortitude and remove the relational strain caused by remodeling.

Return to The ABC's of Home Improvement Projects and Educational Point B for your next step then move to Follow Through Point C to get your design started.