The home remodeling process begins with budgeting, hiring a team and setting a timeline. Obtain cost estimates from several contractors to compare options and make informed decisions. Finishes bring your renovation to life, transforming construction into a livable space that balances appearance and function. Wood finishes, wall treatments, tiles and exterior cladding are carefully chosen for light, durability and maintenance.
1. Planning
B&K Enterprises breathes new life into your living space, improves functionality, and can greatly enhance the overall value of your home. However, a successful remodel requires careful planning and open communication to avoid budget overruns, disruptions, strained relationships, and compromised quality.
The initial planning stage encompasses discussions with your team to discuss the scope of work and establish a realistic timeline. It’s also an ideal time to evaluate and select materials for your renovation.
Reputable contractors will provide you with references and recommendations from previous clients. You should read reviews and interview potential builders until you find one that shares your vision for the renovation and communicates effectively throughout the project.
Specific Main Line considerations may include navigating historic preservation guidelines that dictate permissible exterior materials and architectural styles. Also, a thorough assessment of the property should be performed to identify any underlying issues such as moisture damage that can manifest as cracks and discoloration in exterior stucco. Addressing these concerns early in the renovation process can save money and prevent delays in schedules and budget. Also, homeowners should plan ahead by securing or moving personal belongings into storage bins to minimize the impact on their everyday lifestyle during construction.
2. Design
The design phase is when you figure out what you want to achieve and how much you can spend. It starts with a careful examination of your current home and a clear understanding of the results you’re seeking—be it more living space, room for a family, curb appeal, or lower maintenance. It’s also the time to interview designers and contractors. Ask about their experience, project approach, and communication style before making a final decision.
When you’ve nailed down the big picture, you can work with your remodeler to start planning out the details of your renovation. This includes identifying any structural changes (like adding or subtracting rooms, changing walls, or adding an addition) as well as cosmetic updates like installing new laminate floors, painting kitchen cabinetry, or replacing countertops. It’s also the best time to document your existing home before work begins with a tool like Matterport, which can create a digital twin of your space.
This way, you can compare design options or layouts without having to schedule time to visit your construction site and rely on phone updates or emails. For homeowners who aren’t living in their homes during construction, a Matterport digital twin can be especially helpful for monitoring the progress of a project and ensuring that any issues are addressed promptly.
3. Financing
Home improvement projects can be costly, and it’s important to fully assess your financial situation to determine how best to fund the project. There are several traditional financing options, including those that use home equity and non-equity-based methods like personal loans. It’s also a good idea to review any potential tax implications.
Keep in mind that not all home remodeling projects will generate a high ROI. In fact, some of the most popular projects (like adding an in-ground pool) often fail to make back the initial investment at resale. However, a well-designed remodel that addresses your lifestyle, safety needs and aging-in-place goals can improve home value and increase usability while potentially earning you significant energy savings.
It’s also wise to plan ahead and set aside funds each month in a dedicated renovation account. This will help you avoid paying unnecessary interest or exceeding your loan’s repayment limit. If you decide to use debt as a means of funding your home renovation, consider working with your contractor to establish a payment schedule that aligns with specific milestones during the construction process. You should also consider purchasing a home warranty for protection from any unexpected issues that may arise during your renovation.
4. Permits
The permits stage is about ensuring your renovation adheres to the law. Each municipality has its own rules, but the general rule is that a permit is needed for anything that affects your home’s structural integrity. This includes anything that changes the layout of your house, including room additions. It also covers major changes to your roof, exterior, and electrical system.
Cosmetic projects like painting and replacing countertops don’t need a permit, but anything that opens up walls (like new windows, rerouting plumbing pipes, or adding outlets) does. A permit is always required for anything that involves a water heater, and in many cases, changing ventilation systems does too.
It’s important to hire a licensed architect or design-build firm that takes responsibility for the permit process. This includes filing the proper applications, conducting inspections, and closing out the permits once the work is complete. Getting your permits in order can take weeks, or even months, depending on the complexity of the project.
If you’re planning to sell your property, it’s best to avoid working on your home without a permit, as the buyer’s inspector may discover the illegal work and halt construction or force you to redo the remodel to comply with code. This can lead to costly renegotiations or delays in the renovation process.
5. Demolition
Demolition is the process of removing existing structures to prepare for construction. It can be a crucial step in addressing structural problems or updating outdated components. The demolition stage also paves the way for improved aesthetics and increased property value.
A contractor may choose to use a selective demolition technique, which targets specific areas of the structure while leaving other parts intact. This method is often more cost-effective and environmentally friendly than a complete teardown. Moreover, it allows contractors to salvage materials that can be reused or recycled.
During this phase, your contractor will carefully remove items like furniture, cabinets, appliances, and flooring. They will also disconnect the gas, water, electricity, and sewage systems. If the project will render your home unlivable, you should make arrangements for temporary accommodations.
This phase can take up to a week or more, depending on the size and complexity of the structure being demolished. Different types of material require different demolition techniques and equipment. In addition, hazardous materials like lead-based paint or asbestos must be removed before the demolition begins. In order to prevent delays, homeowners and contractors should communicate frequently during this phase of the renovation. They should discuss the estimated timeline, any potential obstacles that might arise, and any safety concerns.
6. Construction
Renovating a home is an exciting time, but it can also be a messy and disruptive one. Homeowners can help reduce frustration by clearly communicating their expectations to builders and remaining available for updates and meetings.
The construction phase is a critical part of any successful remodel. It involves turning the client’s vision into reality. This includes completing all necessary permit paperwork, ordering long lead materials like custom cabinetry and specialty finishes, scheduling crews, and more. A dedicated project manager helps to streamline communication, and schedules and daily logs ensure that everyone is on the same page.
Construction is typically the longest portion of the remodeling process. It can be especially challenging if the client is living through the renovation, and a final walk-through should take place at this point to make sure everything was completed to their satisfaction.
At this stage, it’s important to have a reputable contractor with experience in your specific remodeling needs. Ask friends and family members for referrals, and check with the National Association of Remodeling Industry’s website to find contractors in your area who are certified. In addition to experience, you should request and review references and a certificate of insurance for workers’ compensation and liability coverage.
7. Finishing
Once construction is complete, the finishing phase brings your renovation to a close with painting and other detail work. This includes installing flooring (including resolving any sub-flooring issues), trim, cabinets, and lighting. It also includes installing appliances and mechanicals, if applicable.
At this point, your contractor will make sure you’re satisfied with the results. They may conduct a final walkthrough and create a punch list of final adjustments. They’ll also prepare a warranty and hand over maintenance guides.
Even the best-laid plans can go awry during home remodeling, but you can reduce setbacks by preparing for them ahead of time. For example, determine where you’ll stay during the project and plan accordingly. And be sure to budget for waste removal, as dumpsters can add up quickly during a major remodel.
The best way to avoid costly surprises during your remodel is to have a clear vision and hire a professional contractor. Creating a remodeling contract early on helps align expectations, reduces change orders, and ensures the contractor has the proper information to complete the job according to your specifications. It’s also important to be available to your contractor, as delays due to missing phone calls or meetings can delay materials ordering and contractor scheduling, Prchal says.