Helpful Tip From A Reliable General Contractor

Planning a Successful House Remodel

Have a Budget

Know your budget—and stick to it—that is one of the most helpful tips of remodel planning. Remembering to add an extra fund for any unexpected costs—and expect that you will use it—also the incidental costs like the cost of eating while your kitchen renovations are being completed. It is typical to want a top notch renovation but maybe all you need are some cheaper upgrades which will still make your house look more expensive. Do your research and plan your budget before starting. From a general contractor, always expect the unexpected.

Find a Contractor With a Process

Look for a remodeler who has solid processes in place to ensure customer satisfaction: a process for design, production, warranty, monitoring customer satisfaction even, and especially for handling any issues that arise while the project is under way. Process shows planning for success and also how they will deal with the curve balls that come with opening up walls and floors in an existing home.

Allow Time for the Project

If you’re hoping for a brand new home for a particular holiday or event, make sure you know when to expect your end date and work your way backwards. Be sure to allow for extra time so pencil in a few weeks to a month at the end for wiggle-room in case there are delays with the project.

Focus on Lighting

In the hardest-working room of your house, don’t underestimate the benefits of living with neither shadows nor glare. Use a mix of fixtures to layer light of different types—ambient, task, accent, and mood.

Size Matters in the Kitchen

Are the cooks in your household taller or shorter than average? Careful shopping and strategic design can make their lives much easier without making your kitchen overly specialized. For example, manufacturers recommend installing a hood 30 inches above the cooktop—in other words, right in the face of a six-foot-tall cook. Luckily, there’s a simple solution: Most hoods work just fine if mounted slightly higher. The lesson is that no matter how lovely something looks on the drawing board, you must account for the lifestyle and physical characteristics of the people who will actually be using the kitchen.

Don't Forget the Pets

The temporary chaos of a home under renovation can be stressful at the best of times for the human occupants of the house, let alone the four-legged family members. When doing a house remodel, a helpful tip would be to consider the safety and care of your pets, which could mean having a family member or friend pet-sit while the bulk of the work is getting done. This is especially true when the general contractor will be opening doors to bring tools and materials in and out.

Kitchen Landing Zones

Include plenty of wide-open countertop space around each of your appliances. You know the feeling of removing a heavy, piping-hot pan from the stove, then finding there’s no convenient place to set it down? Think about how you use appliances like the dishwasher, refrigerator, and microwave, and adjust your kitchen design to suit your day-to-day habits.