The Seven Steps for a Successful Renovation

Remodeling, Room Addition, Second Story Addition, Home Improvement & Construction

Many words of advice have been penned for homeowners looking to remodel or undertake new house construction . Most homeowners tackle the remodeling process fairly well-informed. Yet for others, being prudent means getting three estimates for the work and checking some references. If that is a reasonable prescription for success when remodeling, how come we still hear horror stories about it?

Remodeling is an unusually high risk venture. Typically, there is a large sum of money involved in tear-down and rebuild, it is detail and labor intensive, and it is not a shelf item (i.e. you are buying something that hasn't been made yet). You are buying it without really knowing the 'factory', the quality of its 'workers', its quality control procedures, the professionalism of the contractor, Los Angeles supply of required materials and so on. No wonder so many homeowners experience a rude awakening while remodeling their homes. Although there is no guarantee that the results of your remodeling job will be a success, you can tilt the odds in your favor.

The following is a step-by-step approach that will inform and guide the decisions you make with regard to remodeling or renovation. Principally, who you hire to do the work will have the greatest impact on how well your project turns out. Mega Builders hopes that these pointers will be helpful for any kind of major remodeling projects you may be considering, such as a second story addition in Los Angeles or Southern California or a full-scale whole house design build home in Los Angeles.

1. Define your objectives: What is good or bad about the living space you want to renovate? Has anything annoyed you repeatedly? Do you find yourself wishing for something different? What are you missing? If cost is no object, what would your dream space look like? How do you imagine using the space more effectively? Your answers to such questions can have a profound impact on the kind of kitchen, bathroom or den you want to have. Your answers should result in a comprehensive "wish list” which you can then use as a point of departure. If new information or insight becomes available, don't be inflexible and unwilling to deviate from your original list. You never know how new ideas can spark or inspire a better configuration for your proposed changes.

2. Prioritize: In the real world, we have to make compromises. Budget, available space and the accommodation of the tastes and wishes of other members of the household, etc. all play a part in shaping what we can and cannot do. Organize your construction plans by prioritizing your objectives (from your "wish list" above). Your highest priority item should be first on the list. Subsequent items will represent lower priorities in a descending order. Highlight those items which are a must, and once you're done identifying these, review the list one more time. If you're comfortable with what you have, you've made significant progress towards a sensible plan for your renovation project that will serve you well.

3. Budget: Now it's time to spice your dreams up with a pinch of reality. You need to realistically develop a budget for the project. According to Remodeling Magazine's often quoted "Cost vs. Value" report ( http://www.remodeling.hw.net ), a full kitchen remodel in the Los Angeles area, for example, on average is likely to run between $40,000 and $90,000. While high-end kitchens, very large kitchens, and kitchens with unique features can easily surpass these figures, this is a fairly accurate average for a Los Angeles remodeling. Assess your available resources. Many homeowners turn to financing for such a major project. Home equity loans and refinancing are the two most popular approaches to handling home improvement costs. Such an approach may have some tax benefits as well. It may be a good idea to consult your accountant for more specific advice. Remember that the remodel of your dreams may cost more or less than your allotted budget. You should build in a lot of flexibility at this point. It's only with input from a professional you can trust, such as a competent Los Angeles residential builder, that will let you finally pin down an exact cost for your project.

4. Design: It's time to translate your wish list into a functional and visually striking floor plan. You should seek the help of an experienced professional for successful architectural design. Engage a design/build firm in order to attain a seamless integration of the design with the actual work needed. This will help you avoid designs which could turn out to be "budget busters.” Focus your search on companies with specific expertise in the design and construction of the part of your home you want to renovate. A remodeling outfit with expertise in design is indispensable at this stage. You should share your budget guidelines with the company you hire. In turn, they should be able to tailor a solution that will reconcile your "wish list" items with your budget. The trick is to actually find the right company to develop and accomplish this phase with because it is the most critical factor for a successful project.

5. Hire a contractor: It's hard to summarize all the elements that should go into a good "Whom to Hire" decision in such short order. Naturally, you need to insist on a Los Angeles room addition contractor company that can demonstrate abundant experience and expertise in kitchen remodeling or any other kind of renovation work. You should also insist on the company having a stellar record with the Contractor's State License Board and the California Better Business Bureau. Consider it time well-spent when you review the recent projects and interview previous clients of the contractors on your short list. Keep in mind that even bad contractors may have a few happy customers. All of these pointers may end up being meaningless if you don't get along with your Los Angeles building contractor. You should be comfortable with the company you hire and you should feel a genuine rapport with the people who work for them. It's advisable, whenever possible, to only work with a company that: (1) will guarantee a fixed price for your project, and (2) will provide you with a completion date in writing. Ultimately, it's the contractor's steadfast dedication to a satisfactory completion and your ability to 'navigate choppy waters' that will define your remodeling experience.

6. Manage Your Expectations: You should be prepared for the challenges that such a project in luxury home design can pose. Any kind of remodeling project is a multi-trade, detail-intensive undertaking. Such a project involves noise, dust and disruption to the household routine. While you may tolerate it easily for the first few days, it may grow old very quickly. Be prepared for the inconvenience to last longer than you think it will. You should also be aware of the variations in the pace between different project phases. While the demolition and "rough" stages may speed along at a blazing pace, the wall work and painting phases may appear to barely move along by comparison. Managing your expectations doesn't mean you have to lower your standards. It merely results in a healthier and more balanced way for you to survive the process of remodeling.

7. Be involved: Don't be an absentee client while your home is being remodeled. In other words, "do not expect—inspect!" Remember, it's you who ultimately has to live with the results of the project, not the Los Angeles home improvement contractor that you hire, so stay involved as the project progresses. Even the most competent and trustworthy of contractors can benefit from your ongoing input and involvement. Being available and on top of things can even expedite your remodeling project because your enthusiasm and dedication will be shared by everyone involved. If you choose your Los Angeles contractor wisely, your remodeling project may actually be a rewarding experience you will get to brag about.