Surviving Your First Remodeling Project

Ah, you've finally selected a remodeler, signed a contract, and are now eagerly awaiting the start of construction. You and your contractor are going to be sharing common space, trusting one another to mind a schedule laden with deadlines (yes, homeowners have responsibilities here as well) and embarking on a personal relationship—one with financial overtones. At this point some forethought and basic planning with your general contractor will help ensure that your dream project doesn't interrupt a blissful sleep.

Most contractors will have a process established for setting up the job, so take some time to consider what impact the project and workers will have on your family's daily routines and space. Try to establish some basic ground rules for both your family and your new "house guests"—you need some privacy and they need to get their work done. Remodeling is by its nature dusty and can be a jarring experience for a house, so decide which household items to pack away or cover, and how the crew will isolate the project from your living space. In the case of a kitchen remodel now is the time to plan for a temporary kitchen space. The contractor will have his/her own list of concerns: Where to store building materials, what bathroom to use, what areas are "off–limits", what the neighborhood parking customs are, whether there are any special pet issues, etc. The more you can comfortably accommodate the project needs the smoother the process will be.

Poor communication will cause a good project to go awry, so establishing the main decision makers and the methods of contact are essential to maintaining the schedule within your budget. Both you and the contractor need to identify who these people are and how they will contact each other. Most remodelers designate the site supervisor or lead carpenter as the main contact for the client. While you may still have dealings with a designer or salesperson the site supervisor will be your chief contact for all of the daily issues that arise and will provide a clear channel of communication back to the office. Keep a written list of questions/concerns to review and establish consistent and regular meeting times onsite. When face–to–face meetings aren't always possible e–mails, telephone conversations or an onsite log book can be good substitutes.

Your contractor should provide you with clear information on what decisions you need to make regarding fixtures, tile, and paint color, etc., and when you need to make them to meet schedule timelines. In some instances you might consider using a professional to assist in these design options. Your timely choices on these selections help the project to stay on schedule, saving time and money.

This naturally leads into a discussion on "Change Orders". The factors that amend project costs and extend your scheduled completion date can generally be categorized within the following. First off, modifying selections or altering the design will, in most cases, add to both the cost and length of your project, particularly if the original materials selection is already onsite. Secondly, remodeling by its nature will present some surprises, such as substandard plumbing hidden in an existing wall. When confronted with a change order on one of these unforeseen circumstances ensure that the contractor provides a clear description of the work. And lastly, there's the category of "while you're here, why don't we...", as you discover some odd task to complete. Adding a little extra work for the electrician to wire the room adjacent to the kitchen remodel may make perfect sense and be an excellent decision—it will also show up in a change order. All of these issues are common on remodeling projects, so providing a cushion in the initial project budget of 5–10% will allow you to cover these expenses.

A less obvious aspect of a remodeling project has to do with the ebb and flow of your emotions as you observe, and live through, the construction process. The project starts with a flurry of activity, and everyday there are obvious changes and improvements. It's dirty and dusty but there are lots of people working and it seems like they may even be ahead of schedule. The mechanical sub–contractors come in and the steady flow of people and materials portends progress, as the space takes shape and the excitement continues to grow. The insulation and sheetrock are installed, and jeez it's dusty again and how long will that last? Then the nice painters come in; the space is warmer, brighter and for the first time you can really see the impact the project has made on your house. They're almost finished... just a few finishing touches and we'll pop the champagne. But the cabinet handles are backordered for the second time and the last details are taking forever. Then the day comes that you've moved back in, the street is free of pick up trucks—you can even sleep in late on a weekday. You think, maybe that wasn't so bad. If you've ever ridden the State Fair roller coaster you know the range of feelings. While you can't completely eliminate these emotional high and lows, consistent communication with your job supervisor and an up–to–date project schedule can take much of the mystery, and surprise, out of the process.

Adding new space or updating a kitchen is a dream come true for many homeowners. With proper pre–planning and basic communication skills it is possible to enjoy the experience. Remember, you hired a remodeling contractor to have a professional take care of the project. Provide them with the space to work and you can watch your visions become a reality.

Posted on January 29, 2007 at 4:06 PM

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