How to Survive a Remodel

As fall fast approaches, thoughts turn towards holiday entertaining, family gatherings, and special events. As you look around your home, you begin to notice some little, and maybe not so little, details that need attending to before you can consider ordering invitations for your next get together. A redesign or remodel is definitely in order, but the very idea of beginning the process gives you enough pause to want to drop the whole idea before you make that first call to your decorator.

Remodeling doesn’t have to be stressful. By taking a few precautions and initial steps before the process begins, you can not only ensure a smoother progression in the work planned, but prepare for the potential road bumps that could derail or delay your final vision.

1. Step one should be to give your realtor a call and see if the renovations you have in mind will add value to your home. Even if you plan to stay in your home for more than ten years after the remodel, it may be beneficial to invest in your property.
2. Step two – call your interior designer. They have their finger on the pulse of the market and also have a good idea of the value of your property and your personal style. Your designer can also remove the pressure of meeting with the potential contractors to ensure that there aren’t any structural or spacing concerns for your goals.
3. Step three is to sit down with your designer and any contractors to go over the finer points of the work, what to expect, and how obstacles will be handled. Be sure to list all of the work you want done in detail so there are no missed points and ensure that no work will begin until all of the necessary tools and materials have been delivered to the site to ensure expediency. After this launch meeting, your designer, if you trust them to do so, can take point to deal with your contractors.
4. If you are remodeling your kitchen, have your contractor set up a mini-kitchen somewhere else in you home so you have access to a stove and sink. Eating out for several weeks can drastically decrease the cost effectiveness of your remodel.
5. When you get the estimates from your contractor, add a cushion of 15% to the bottom line prices they quoted to allow for additional expenses.

A remodel can be a solid investment in your luxury property. By taking these precautionary steps, you have preemptively avoided a lot of the stresses that the process of enhancing your home can bring.