Steps to Remodeling a Washington Park Home

What's the Process?

Many families are enamored of the idea of remodeling their Washington Park homes. "If we could only do this..." If we could add that..." "Wouldn't that be nice here...?" Yet taking on a remodeling project is a task of monumental proportions for a family and it is one that should never be entered without rigorous preparation. The ultimate goal of home remodeling will always be to improve the value of the home and to generate the feel and to have the use the family desires.. Remodeling in Washington Park is an inexact science that involves tastes, needs, wants, finances, management of third parties, frustration, disappointment, delays, misunderstandings, poor communication, and regulatory bodies. It is absolutely essential to be properly prepared to deal with all of these issues if the objectives are to be reached.

A Meeting of the Minds

A "meeting of the minds" of what the final product will be like is absolutely esential. This written agreement is one that reflects the future state of the home after the remodel is complete. It should define how the family will use the home. It should describe the style they want to achieve. It should create the emotion they want to feel in their private use of the home. If it is a casual open space that is practical, easy to maintain, and enveloping, then the stated vision should reflect that. If it is a traditional feel with formal rooms and decor the family has planned, it should be clear. If it is a leading edge, high-tech sense the family wants then the vision statement should convey that.

The second thing is to be able to communicate that meeting of the minds to the participants in the project. Put it in writing. This is necessary to help clarify any doubts about that vision with the architect and then with the general contractor. This is important because it will, along with the budget, guide all future decisions. The communication must be in as much detail as necessary. Sound kind of vague? Well, it is. But it is the process of clarification that will ensure all critical parties understand what the outcome of the remodel should be like, feel like, and look like. Without this preparation of thinking, the communication of the vision, and a written acceptance by all parties, then the outcome will be in doubt.

Architectural Plans

Once there has been a written communication of the meeting of the minds the next step is to ask the architect to produce that in a set of architectural plans. The progress plans should be reviewed with the architect as his work is developed. While his plans are being developed begin the process of selecting the general contractor. Once the plans are complete you must begin to estimate the costs involved. This means that you, the home owner, should get educated about the costs of things, the various qualities of materials that are available and their costs. Determine their availability and how they are distributed. This may sound like unnecessary work, but it will pay off. If you decide on a German manufacturer of a shower valve you must know where it can be located, if it is in stock, and what is the lead time fro delivery if it is held in inventory. You may think that this is the job of the general contractor, and, it is his job. But why run the risk of waiting three months to find out from the general contractor that the part is not available for 2 more weeks and its absence will delay the project? Once you decide on the elements of the remodeling plan, have researched their costs and availability add 15-20% to those costs for contingencies.

You now have your meeting of the minds translated into detailed architectural plans. You have a good idea of the costs and the availability of the materials, parts, and accessories to be included in your project. You have an estimate of your project's costs. It is time to hire your contractor. Perhaps this is the most complex and difficult decision you will make that will have the greatest impact on your project. Hiring the wrong general contractor will generate a headache you will never forget.

Communication is Key

One of the first filters to use with a list of potential contractors is to ask them about their communication plans. How will he communicate with you on progress? If there is a disconnect here, do not choose the contractor. If you conduct your communication via e-mail and he does not use e-mail. look for another contractor. If he does not plan on being on-site on a schedule that you feel comfortable with, get another contractor. If he will not give you weekly updates on progress and plans for the next week, get another contractor. If he has more than 3 projects running simultaneously and he does not employ project managers who use project management software, look elsewhere.

Check References

An investigation of past clients' satisfaction, his reputation among the trades for being a fair dealer, his payment history with his subcontractors, whether or not he has a good working relationship with the licensing people and inspectors all will help in this process. Has he worked in Washington Park before? Does he know the area?

He must have a license and all the insurance required. He must hire subcontractors who are reputable and who are also in compliance with all regulations. When investigating potential contractors ask if he charges too much, does he tend to have delays in his projects, does he manage the output and quality of his subcontractors, does he disappear without explanation, does he get lien wavers from his subcontractors, is he satisfied with shoddy work, does he follow up on issues to resolution? Is he neat? Is his appearance professional? If he does not shave, arrives in wife-beater t-shirts and shorts, you should continue your search. Neatness counts. His approach to organization, neatness, follow up will be reflected in his subcontractors and in the manner in which he treats his customers.

Since you have already investigated your materials and fixture options get agreement with him to provide a complete list of all materials and fixtures that you have chosen. Review the design plan with him for feasibility and/or suggestions that may improve flow or conserve costs. Give the contractor time to draw up a detailed construction schedule, apply for building permits, and round up construction crews. Meet your contractor's job-site supervisor or production manager and develop good communication. This person will likely be your key contact throughout the project. Arrange a preconstruction conference at your house for you, the contractor and his or her job-site supervisor, the architect or designer, and any key subcontractors who will be working on your project -- in short, anyone who needs to be in the loop. Define the start date and the end date. Identify milestones at which time the entire project will be reviewed. This gives you and the contractor to assess progress toward your meeting of the minds. You do not want the project to drag on. Negotiate a penalty clause for delays. For example divide the total estimated cost of the project and divide that cost by the total number of estimated work days to finish the project. For every day of delay double the per diem cost as a penalty. When it is your nickel and there are no consequences for delays, delays happen.

Tour Your Washington Park House - Review What Needs to be Done

Tour your Washington Park house with the key players and go over exactly what needs to be done. "What needs to be done" includes the meeting of the minds. The exact "feel" you want to achieve needs to be conveyed.Take notes and send follow-up memos if anything changes from the plans. Set the ground rules for your project between you, the contractor, and the job-site supervisor. Write a detailed communications plan:

Decide who your primary contact person is (usually the job-site supervisor)
Place a contact notebook in a prominent location; review it each day for comments from the crew, and include your comments and questions as well.
Set up a weekly contact schedule between you, the contractor, and the job-site supervisor. Insist that this meeting takes place.

Meet with you attorney with your architectural plans and your written meeting of the minds and get a contract written. He will understand the component parts necessary.

As the project progresses tour the remodeled space with your contractor, itemizing any details that need to be finished and any mistakes that need to be corrected; keep a detailed list. take along a digital camera and record the items to be finished and note the dates and the promised action. Complete a final inspection with the contractor, checking off the items from your preliminary walk-through.

Let the new space settle in for a few months. Make sure all systems work properly, and watch for drywall cracks or nail pops. Call back the contractor for any follow-up repairs; good contractors will check back periodically to make sure everything is right.

Related Articles:

Remodeling A Washington Park Home - A Safe Place To Start
Taking the Project to the End

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