Beginning a home renovation can be an exciting process, but the glow can quickly wear off if you don’t take the proper steps to set yourself up for success. The pandemic taught us a lot of things, but as we all migrated to working from home during quarantine, it shone a glaring spotlight on our living spaces - what we loved, and mostly, what we hated. Our industry has changed so much since 2020, booming like we never expected. With that in mind, we wanted to give anyone thinking about taking this leap some of our insider tips.
The first, and arguably most important step, is picking your team. Before you even choose your designer and contractor, it’s important to understand what your wants and needs are for your current space. Make a list of what’s working for you and what isn’t, and think about how you want your space to function in the end. Then, a designer will listen to that list of wants and needs and turn it into a clear, concise plan that you can give to any contractor you’re interviewing that lays out what you hope to accomplish. Most importantly, it’s about finding someone who is going to listen to what you want and not push their own agenda and style onto your project. They will bring out your personal style and help make the space function for your life. It’s also important to do research on the team you’re choosing. Seeing some of their projects in person will help you understand the quality they’re able to deliver. Referrals are also a great source in the research process. If someone you know has a connection with a designer or contractor they’ve already worked with, chances are you’re able to see the craftsmanship and know the level of quality you will be getting. Communication is a large part of the process and very important. Listen to your gut in your initial meetings, and choose someone with whom you feel you’ll be able to be honest and direct, and vice versa. Most importantly find someone that listens to you.
As we all know, the pandemic has affected every single industry, and it’s become a major challenge in sourcing materials. From lumber to furniture to plumbing finishes, there seems to be a shortage no matter what your renovation entails. Products are getting stuck in shipping containers, factories are short-staffed, and some businesses simply couldn’t keep their doors open after 2020. Bringing a designer and a contractor to the table means they’ll know what products they can get and what to avoid. It means you get a built-in team who has access to more information about the industry and can guide you on important decisions. We caution clients who want to general contract their own projects, as we have seen the chaos these situations create. You’ll experience longer than the already lengthy lead times because individual tradesmen are booked and often unable to fit a smaller project into their schedule because they are committed to a contractor that gives them consistent work. It leads to poorer communication, a less cohesive and collaborative design, higher costs, and a longer renovation timeline. When selecting finishes with a designer before your project starts, your designer or contractor will be able to order things as soon as they’re quoted and approved and be ready to go when your project starts. Patience is our greatest asset in this process, and it’s often worth the wait.
This Kohler faucet took eight months to arrive, but this vanity wouldn’t be the same without it.
Next up is understanding your budget. What you’re willing to pay for doesn’t necessarily mean what you want is going be in line with that budget, so managing expectations is helpful because of the inflation we’re experiencing right now. We’re seeing upwards of an additional 30% being added to budgets because of the cost of materials. Businesses that need raw material need to adapt and bump up their quotes as well, so projects are coming in higher than what many clients are prepared to pay. While the sticker shock is, well, shocking, it’s important to remember that the pandemic has affected these prices, so letting your contractor know up front what your maximum budget is will help them determine where you can cut costs to achieve your renovation goals. Often the contractor and client will go back and forth because a maximum budget wasn’t discussed. They’ll have to play budget tennis, when being up front and clear with your contractor would have saved everyone a lot of time and energy. Open and honest communication is the best way to get what you want out of a project.
Mixing and matching existing decor with new items can help save you money.
We like to say, “Price the dream,” and then make modifications when necessary.
Elevation view from above coming to life.
Communication, patience, and collaboration are the name of the game, and if you choose the right team to work with, the finished product will be worth every penny.