As a designer and salesperson who's been working in design/build showrooms for almost 9 years and directly dealing with clients and projects, I encounter different kinds of homeowners who are in various stages of remodeling everyday.
These homeowners ask me a common question: "Where do you even begin?"
There are so much information to absorb, and the whole process gets so overwhelming. Remodeling, I mean "the right way" of remodeling--which will last you for more than 30 years-- is not cheap. You must invest --in the right materials, people, money -- to make it work.
Trust me.
I have heard some horror stories--from walk-ins or clients who finally decided to hire our company--where they cut corners, and projects do not end well. The remodel, which was supposed to be less expensive, turned out to be more because of unexpected change orders. Some of these projects took 2-3x longer than expected. In some worst case scenarios, homeowners ended up firing or suing their contractors. A fun project suddenly becomes a nightmare due to lack of preparation and planning.
The time invested in researching, pre-planning and interviewing competent people are worth saving you money and disappointments later in the process. Remodeling your home can give you a great achievement and satisfaction, if the overall experience is pleasurable. The remodeling journey is an emotional roller coaster ride. You have to invest wisely!
Here are the first few steps before you get started on the Design Process.
1. Identify your WHYs. If it's your kitchen, why would you remodel? What's wrong with it? Does this space feel dreary? Are the appliances falling apart? Is your work triangle not functional? Are there not enough counter spaces? Is the lighting not enough? Don't you have enough storage? Create a list and identify why you plan to remodel. Later, if you get frustrated with the process or even with the price of the project, go back to your WHYs.
2. Envision the transformation of your space. Close your eyes for just a second and use your imagination. What would you want to see in your new space? How would the new space make you feel? Do you want to see more colors? Do you want your counter tops to be free from clutter? You own this home, and you own this space.. you decide!
3. Consider the style and architecture of your home. You are the captain of this ship (remodeling ship), so at the end of the day, you call the shots! However, I suggest that you respect the integrity of your home. Why did you buy this house anyway in the first place? Think about the beautiful and unique elements of your space that should carry through the newly remodeled room. What would those be? If your have a Victorian home, would you pick the same crown moulding and baseboard that is consistent through out the whole house?
4. Open your eyes and enjoy the view. Now that you have a head start with the design and style of your space, your initial search has been narrowed. There are several ways to get inspirations:
1. Create an account on Houzz.com. This platform solely focuses on residential homes. You can start creating your "ideabooks" and organize them by rooms, materials, colors, etc. Type a keyword on the search bar and below the drop down menu, click the word under "Photos" category. This will narrow down your search. You can type a generic word or a specific word. Houzz will then populate the photos that you searched.
2. If you already have Pinterest, start creating some "Boards." This will help you organize your thoughts and inspirations. Your boards will also be a reflection of your style consistency and inconsistency. Stay on track!
3. Talk to your friends or families who recently remodeled their homes and ask if you can visit. Are there any elements in their space that appeal to you? During the design process, some of my clients would always refer back to the space of their family or friends. They always mention what features they liked or would avoid before making decisions.
4. Visit local showrooms. If you are just visual and tactile, this will help you. Photos in magazines and websites are helpful, but there's nothing like feeling the product or seeing it to scale. Your visit can also give you awareness on what's new in the market. Some product displays in showrooms are not easily searchable online. You might ended up getting something more unique than your friends and families'!
5. Go to your neighborhood Open Houses. People can get a lot of inspiration stepping in an updated home which was designed and staged nicely, especially if the style and layout is similar to theirs.
5. Check the current value of your house. You’ll be surprised how much it costs now compared to when you bought it! Improvements in kitchens and baths will increase the value of your home. Use the current value of your home as a guide to set a budget for the project.
6. Set a realistic budget. First and foremost valuable question that I always ask my clients in the first two meetings is, "How much would you like to invest in your project?" Most of them have a "maximum" budget for a particular project, especially if they are planning to have multiple projects in their homes.
How much are you willing to invest in a space that will transform your lifestyle or a space that you spend a lot of time in with your family? Set a budget and add a buffer to that budget.
Do your research and talk to reputable professionals in the industry. Ask questions. A lot of them. If you find your initial budget to be unrealistic in congruent to your expectations, be flexible. Compromise on some areas. Be open minded. Maybe it's not the right time to do all the projects at the same time. Maybe you can save for few more years to obtain the level of quality you would like to attain.
6. Think about longevity. Ask yourself, "How long am I planning to stay in this home?" People who decided to live in their homes forever or pass it on to their families have different mentalities than people who are selling in a few years. Their expectations in over all quality and consideration of investment are not the same. Some people are willing to invest hundreds of thousands to improve and enjoy their space, while other people are not convinced to spend any dollar more on a home that they would sell in 3 or 5 years. It just doesn't make sense.
7. Interview people. There are several steps to get to this point, and this topic is blog-worthy by itself. Start searching online and be diligent in reading reviews. You can search designers or companies on Houzz proximal to your area under "PRO" and read their previous clients’ or colleagues' reviews. Contact their emails or phone numbers. You can inquire online or visit their showrooms.
You will be surprised on how much you can learn from this process. Most qualified general contractors, designers, architects or firms are referrals from families, friends and acquaintances. Interview those referrals! Ask what services they provide and What make them unique from other competitor. Ask them how long have they been in the business. Ask about their design or construction process. Make an appointment and meet them in person. Most of the time, your first meeting can help you determine if you have a great connection or chemistry with them!
Be courageous! You can do this! One step at the time!
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