If you watch a lot of HGTV you see the happy families breeze through their renovation. Everything goes as planned, there are no shortages or delays and conflicts are minimal. Sadly, this isn’t the way things go in real life. There are rare occasions when all the pieces fall into place but usually that’s a result of a homeowner that checked all the boxes in terms of preparation. Let’s talk about how to have a successful renovation and what you can do to be prepared for the road ahead.
We’ve probably all heard that Covid has affected timelines and availability of every aspect of design but even without that there are a lot of things that homeowners aren’t prepared for when they begin. A successful renovation begins months (or years) before the crew arrives to start demolition.
It begins with planning. You don’t wake up and decide to renovate. You’ve likely been thinking about this for a long time. Every morning when you walk into the kitchen you’re dreaming about how it will be more efficient when you renovate. The fridge should be over there and the sink definitely needs to be a double sink next time. You need a bigger pantry and so on.
You need to go beyond dreaming about your future kitchen. Put pen to paper and start writing down the list you’re creating every day in your mind. Eventually you’ll have a wish list created and you can get a clear understanding of what your goals are.
If you wait until the day you meet your designer or contractor you’ll be overwhelmed with the process and things will be forgotten.
Once the renovation wheels are in motion it’s hard (and costly) to go backwards and include things that you’ve left off the wish list. It’s better to have a wish list that needs to be modified and scaled back than to have nothing.
In terms of importance this one ranks very high. If I arrive for a consultation with you and you show me your wish list but have no budget we’re already stuck.
The world of design is immense. The selections I make for a client must be narrowed down by style, accessibility and budget. Without a budget I’ll be left to guess what you can afford. I’ll show you materials you fall in love with only to later discover that you can’t afford them. This is where disappointment sets in with homeowners during a renovation.
Start the process of budgeting before you ever arrange a meeting with your designer or contractor. Figure out what’s reasonably affordable but don’t hold back. If you present a budget, know that your team is working hard to get you the best quality products. We’re managing your budget to make it work overtime for you.
Want more information about planning your budget? I’ve highlighted the important factors in this post.
This is another area where homeowners become disillusioned with the renovation process. Renovations take time. The clock doesn’t start ticking the day you meet with your contractor. Your first meeting with your designer and contractor is to discuss the project. It’s extremely likely that both will be booked for months in advance. Having the initial meeting with your team might be the first step but it may be 6 months or more before your project is scheduled to begin.
Then there’s the issue of permits. The wait for permits is immense and this is something that usually takes homeowners by surprise. You can’t proceed with any work on the home until permits have been obtained.
You’ll be engaged with your team as they create permit documentation but then the wait begins. There are areas that I can help a client with (time permitting) before the permits are delivered but it’s hard to proceed until you’ve been approved for the work. You don’t want to plan too far ahead in case changes are required.
So in other words, don’t call your team together and assume that you’ll begin your project next week. Be patient and use this time to collect your thoughts and get ready for the big day.
One of the unfortunate mistakes I see is that the homeowners called a contractor and have that team in place. Things start to move along and they’re bombarded with questions about design related issues that they hadn’t considered. These are often technical questions that a homeowner can’t (and shouldn’t) answer without fully understanding the brevity of the decision.
If you want a successful renovation you need to understand from the beginning that your entire team should be assembled at the same time.
It’s very difficult for a designer to walk into a project that is underway. Designs take time to come together. If your trades require answers yesterday that will be difficult for any designer to assess the first day on site.
The most successful renovation has their entire team working together from the beginning. There is so much harmony on a job site that is difficult to achieve when one part of the team joins late.
This should be an exciting time for you and your family. It’s important to learn how to prepare in a way that leaves you set up for success
Renovations are stressful because you’re displaced from your home. If you decide to live in your home during the work phase you’ll be subjected to early mornings, a lot of mess and a space that doesn’t function well for periods of time. These are things that can’t be avoided.
You don’t need to add the additional stress of things that could be avoided through careful planning and a lot of preparation. A successful renovation IS possible if you’re prepared and know what’s required.
If you’re considering a renovation, I can help.
And be sure to download your free Renovation Checklist. Just enter your email address and it will be delivered straight to your inbox.
Happy planning, Stephanie