1. Take time to define what you really want.
Start by making lists: what you like and don’t like in your current room, issues
to solve, ideas you’ve seen in magazines. Describe how you want the space to
look, feel and work for you, your family, and how you entertain. What activities
do you do in the room, and how do they relate to features you’d like to add? All
these answers will help your Designer/Contractor understand your goals.
2. Educate yourself about the process to avoid surprises.
Remodeling typically can be an invasive process. Personal interruption, noise,
distractions and inconvenience are often unavoidable, but quite manageable if
you prepare. Make your site accessible to contractors.
Set realistic goals for how long it will be until the appliances, gas and water are
hooked up again. Add extra time as a buffer.
Decide where your temporary kitchen will be during the construction, by
preparing a temporary solution for cooking, preferably in a room with/near a
sink and with an abundance of electrical outlets. Have your contractor place the
refrigerator in this room or nearby. If you plan on purchasing a new refrigerator,
do so; however keep the current one until the new one comes in Set up your new
space with a microwave oven, toaster oven, coffeemaker, crock-pot, or hot plate.
Use the barbecue grill if possible and collect recipes that can be made cold or
with your temporary appliances. This area should be well protected from sawdust
and other construction materials.
If you do not have a utility sink, plan on using the bathroom. Minimize
dishwashing with disposable plates, cups and utensils.
When you remove and pack away the contents of the existing cabinets, be
sure to leave out essential items like a can opener, staples such as sugar, salt,
pepper, etc… and mark boxes. Keep the items that you will need handy and
well-marked.
Realize the stress that remodeling project will have on the members of the
household, including your pets. Set up an area for your family and pets, where
they feel comfortable and can get away from the noise/activity of construction.
For safety reasons, take precautions to keep young children and pets out of
actual construction area. You may need to crate them while you are gone or treat
them to a day at doggie day care. Consider taking a weekend away during the
process to give everyone a chance to have a time of relaxation. Where will meals
be eaten? Investing in some TV trays might be helpful. Tell the kids you will
be “picnicking” for a while.
Plan some dinners outside your home: make a list of restaurants and takeout
places in the neighborhood and try them out. Encourage friends and family to
invite you to dinner. Choose menus that are easy to prepare in a microwave or
outdoor grill. If you have to have your coffee in the morning, be sure the coffee
pot, coffee and filters are handy. Paper plates and cups make cleaning up easy.
3. Keep communication lines open.
You need to make sure you completely understand what you’re getting before
you buy anything or begin work. That means frequently asking questions and
confirming all details of the plan with the contractor.
4. Plan a contingency in your budget.
On average, most people spend 10% to 20% more on their project than originally
planned. If you plan your budget upfront, you’ll feel more at ease later if you need
to add a feature you forgot about or even indulge in a luxury or two. (See Budget
Sheet below)
5. Ask about the contractor’s service approach.
Good contractors pay attention to simple details.
- From placing drop cloths correctly; prepare for lots of dust and dirt.
- Being courteous of your time
- To cleaning up daily to minimize clutter and maximize safety
- Following up on your questions and requests within a reasonable amount of time
6. Be specific in contractual agreements.
Make sure your contracts clearly define start and completion dates, any
provisions for extended completion dates, payment schedules and material
specifications.
Have all your products ordered and delivered before the project date has started
7. Plan to visit the dealer showroom more than once.
Often times it takes several trips to a showroom to help make all the decisions
involved in your project.
8. Be open to new ideas.
You may have planned everything to a “T”, but be sure to tap into the experience
and expertise of your contractor and/or designer. Often, there’s more than one
way to solve a functional issue or design dilemma, and the experts you’ve hired
may have a better solution.
No doubt about it, remodeling projects take time, money, patience and forethought. But
follow these guidelines - encourage and create a cooperative atmosphere and you’ll
make the process a much more manageable and stress-free one!