A 3-Step Plan for Remodeling Success

"It's going to take twice as long
​and cost twice as much"

- Conventional Wisdom

That's the fear about home remodeling, right?  And that fear is what stops you from changing your house in a way that would make you happier. 

​But why is that conventional wisdom? 

Is it even possible to have an enjoyable remodeling experience?? 

YES!!  

Here is our 3-Step Plan to have an amazing experience that will leave you thinking:
​

"Why didn't I do this sooner?!"

- Future you

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STEP 1

Make sure your design and construction professionals have experience with the type of project you’re looking to do.
​
A condo remodel project is a world away from designing and building a new home.  Just because a firm has expertise in one, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re the right fit for the other. 
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STEP 2

Get a builder/contractor on your team early.

We have a handful of builders that we work with regularly.  We trust their work, and more importantly, understand their pricing structure.  It’s not enough for us to get along with the builder.  If we’re going to make a recommendation, we need to make sure they’re the right fit for your project – not the right fit for our design process. 

We prefer to get the builder involved before we ever draw anything, that way we’re all clear on the services that they’re providing, because those services will affect your final cost.  Be sure that your architect really understands how the builder creates their budgets, because it makes all the difference. 

​When you hire a builder, you are buying their service, not the space being built – the new space comes as a result of their service.  Therefore, since every company and the services they offer are different, we cannot make blanket assumptions on cost.  $300/sf is not a real thing in high-end custom architecture – if you’re building a bunch of spec homes in a new neighborhood, sure – but not when you’re building a one-off project.  
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STEP 3

Be more transparent than you’re comfortable being.
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I wrote about this in Designed Happy: The Book.  Transparency is an important part of having a good experience.  Most people feel like their budget is something that needs to be protected as to not get taken advantage of.  In my experience, the more open you are with your budget, the better your experience is.  Tell the people you work with exactly what you’re comfortable spending, what you’d be willing to spend for something truly amazing, and the absolute do-not-cross-this-threshold amount.  It is ultimately your choice what is included, or not included, in your project.  The more you can share, the more help you will receive.

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Did you notice that all 3 steps in the plan happen before you hire the team that is going to help with your project?  That is very intentional.  Putting the right team together puts you ahead of 90% of the people who remodel their home.
 
Are you ready to take the first step toward a happier home?
 
We’d love to help put you on the path to success.
 
Click the button below to schedule a complimentary zoom consult.

​Talk soon.

-TJ