Homeowners
today are more into DIY than ever. Home
renovations are now taking place with the guidance of HGTV, Better Homes
& Gardens, and YouTube. That is ONE WAY
instruction, and poor quality instruction at that. Consumers that decide to tackle a home
renovation themselves with minimal professional assistance do pay a price both
during, and after the project is complete.
The magnitude of all the different options becomes overwhelming,
contractors disappear for weeks on end, permits get skipped, and product gets back-ordered. When it comes to very costly and time
consuming projects like kitchen and bath remodels, homeowners need to put aside
their pride and invest in a designer. Why? To make sure they do not spend $90,000 when
they could have spent $40,000. To make
sure their project lasts 3 months and not 18 months. I have outlined some of the top issues in
kitchen/bath renovation projects, and how a qualified interior designer may
have been (or may still be) a benefit.
1.
BUDGETING
Today, the budget is EVERYTHING. Homeowners must set a budget before they
begin a home renovation project.
However, it is difficult to determine a budget when one has no idea what
a renovation costs. This is where
designers with renovation experience can be helpful. While they cannot speak for contractors or
the directory of vendors, they can usually give a good idea of the magnitude of
investment you would be dealing with based on your goals. Kitchen and bath renovation can fluctuate between
approximately 40k and 70k average. For
high end product, the price can go up significantly. When employing an architect, the price will
go up significantly. An interior designer
will consult with you and try to help you find the best way to achieve your
goals based on your budget.
2.
PERMITS
Walls cannot just be knocked down and re-arranged
by anyone at any time. Modification of a
“structure” requires permits from the city/area/state. These are safety precautions that every
homeowner must recognize. An architect
or builder must be employed to determine the feasibility and cost of moving/adjusting
interior/exterior walls and foundations.
Furthermore, they can specify whether a permit will be required, and
which permits apply if more than one. Not
only do permits cost money, but the professionals to verify the need for
permits cost money. Interior designers
can give preliminary input on this to help you avoid the need for permits by
working with your existing structure. If
modifications MUST be made to the structure, interior designers can help
determine which changes will be less complicated and expensive. They can show you a range of options and give
you an idea of what permits may come into play, at minimal cost.
3.
FREE DESIGN SERVICE
Beware of ads and companies that pitch “Free
design consultation”. These companies
are usually sales based and their assistance to you will be from a biased
party. Often times the “designers”
employed by the company are underqualified, AND are on commission, which will
likely cost you additional dollars that you might not have spent hiring a
design firm or independent interior designer.
For instance, let’s say you call a company you found in a magazine that
advertised “Free in home design consultation”.
The representative from that company will be coming to your home
representing only a small given set of manufacturers and contractors---often
times just ONE manufacturer. The layout
and product they offer you will be a certain price, with a certain
selection. Qualified interior designers
will consult with you to discuss a layout that works best for your space, and
vendors/contractors that work best for your budget. You can save many thousands of dollars going
this route, AND you get an end result that is perfect for YOU---not limited by
a given company’s product line. For more
information on the downside to “free design service” see my other article:
4. LAYOUT
Kitchens and bathrooms are the most
functional rooms in a home. They are
necessities, not luxuries. Therefore the space plan must be given a
significant amount of forethought. One
of the most sought after kitchen layouts is a U shape with an “island” or an L
shape with an island. Kitchen islands are glamorized on TV and in magazines
and many new homes today have them.
Contrary to popular belief, an island does not necessarily improve a
kitchen functionally. In fact, it can
even become an inconvenience. It can
impede traffic flow in average to small size kitchens and can become very
costly to add on, especially when adding a sink or range, as most homeowners
tend to desire. The demand for this particular
feature in kitchens, I believe is based on media driven popularity. In my book islands are
overrated. Yes, they can be attractive
and functional, but the NEED for an island is not as crucial as people
think. Other popular features that can
put occupants/users at a disadvantage are double ovens, luxury range hoods, free-standing
tubs, vanity tables, double sinks, and walk-in showers. Qualified interior designers will help you to
see past the “popularity” and appreciate the functionality in the best layout
for YOUR space. For more details on finding the right designer, see my article: "What is a Qualified Interior Designer?"
5.
CHEAP CONTRACTORS
One of the most chaotic parts of home
remodels is hiring the right contractor.
Cheap contractors these days are a dime a dozen. Do not choose a contractor based on how your
neighbor’s kitchen turned out, based on a couple Yelp reviews, or based on
price. Cheap contractors are notorious
for being difficult to reach and disappearing for days and even weeks on
end. It is unsettling how many
homeowners have been robbed of thousands of dollars when a cheap contractor
disappears altogether after collecting a substantial deposit. What is even worse, is if the contractor is
found and charges are filed, often that “contractor” will not have the assets
to reimburse the client anyway. This can leave a client with a room(s) that
is unfinished with walls taken out and a half order of cabinets sitting in the
garage needing to be installed. Do not
take the cheap route. Hire quality based
on referrals, experience, company history, and make sure that the contractor is licensed,
bonded, and insured. In addition, make sure to find out what sort of contract they use prior to the start of the project and the deposit. Read the fine print. While most contractors still do business with checks, it is now very easy for small businesses to receive credit card payments. With large investments, it is safer to use vendors and contractors that accept credit cards. That way you are protected in the event of them disappearing without completing the job. If you do not have the budget to
hire a great quality contractor, postpone the project, or consider lower cost
options in materials. This is a very
good reason to hire a qualified interior designer--- determine how to
distribute budget, and be connected with trusted contractors and vendors by an
industry professional. The tiny initial
investment is worth it. I only charge $150 per hour and can provide you with a
wealth of information for your project. Plus, JOI offers "project management" which saves you time, money and tons of stress.
6.
ALL-INCLUSIVE CONTRACTORS
All inclusive home remodeling companies and
independent contractors are very easy to find. In the case of these companies, I have found
that the quality of work may be strong in one area, but lacking in others. For instance, the quality of cabinetry may be
decent, but the quality of the tile application and design may be
lacking/poor. It is beneficial to hire
specialists and artisans/craftsmen to complete certain tasks and make sure that
no element of your project suffers. A
qualified interior designer can recommend these sorts of
contractors/specialists to you, but the key in this approach is
COORDINATION. It is wise to hire an
interior designer that works with the best specialists and knows how they work and
how to coordinate their working with each other. The benefits of employing a qualified interior designer outweigh the
costs, and most times the costs are covered in designer discounts on product and designer budget management. For more information on designer-contractor relationships, see my article: "Contractors Prefer Designers"
7.
ELECTRICAL
Electricity is not something you want to
mess around with. There are codes and
safety issues involved, and it is best left to a specialist with excellent
references and experience. Some general contractors can handle this well, but often they contract out anyway,
so you are accepting whomever they choose to include on the project without
being informed. Make sure that the
specialist OR general contractor has impeccable records, licensing, and insurance. Always make sure you include a contract. If the “contractor” does not use a reasonable
“contract”, it is best to look elsewhere.
8.
PLUMBING
The same rules apply to plumbing
contractors, but even more so. The LAST
thing anyone wants is a room flooded with sewage, or pipes that
leak/erode. Do not skimp on your
plumber, and do not skimp on materials.
Plumbing issues can be the downfall of your kitchen/bath project.
9.
APPLIANCES
Homeowners tend to get very excited about
selecting appliances. Stainless steel, gas powered six-burners, and decorative range hoods are all the rage. Realistically most homeowners do not need a
sixburner and 2-3 ovens in their kitchen. Those commodities are popular, but they should not automatically be added to YOUR kitchen. Be careful and be sure to prioritize. A collection of new appliances can get very
expensive very fast. A professional
interior designer can help you sort out your priorities and clarify which pieces you should pursue when appliance shopping, so that your budget does not
get eaten up by appliances alone.
10.
TILE DESIGN & SELECTION
Tile is not only one of the most difficult
parts of designing a kitchen or bath---it can also be the most expensive
part. Pictures online and in magazines/catalogs
will show luxurious and exotic custom tile backsplashes and popular tile
patterns/orientation. Usually not listed
in these ads and catalogs are prices.
You can visit dozens of showrooms and look at hundreds of styles and
patterns, but it can become a full time job without any guidance. Tile will almost always be involved at one
point or another in a kitchen/bath project. Tile must be addressed in detail during the budgeting phase. Costs can range from $1.50-$35 per square or
linear foot and then well above that in the case of luxury tile. So in an 11x11 kitchen, a tile floor can easily
cost $800 in tile alone---plus the cost of installation materials and labor, which can be double
to quadruple the price of the tile depending on the contractor and
complexity of the design. The complexity of
the pattern not only affects the sizes of tile and the square footage ordered,
but the extra time needed to install and finish the tile as desired. Hiring a designer that is knowledgeable about
tile can save you thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours. I offer tile design services and get great discounts.
11.
MATERIAL SELECTION
For kitchen and bath renovations, numerous
materials need to be individually specified.
Materials including: wood for cabinets, finish for cabinets, countertop
material, backsplash material, flooring, wall finish, ceiling finish, and
more. In rooms that involve heavy use, durable materials are a must. Some of the most desirable
materials today are actually the least appropriate for such spaces. Furthermore, materials that have
become fairly mainstream in the last 10 years, are some of the most EXPENSIVE. These materials include: cherry wood, walnut,
granite, travertine, and marble. Here are
some examples of unappealing results when one has neglected to employ a
qualified interior designer: marble that
quickly and easily became stained because of inappropriate use in a kitchen;
solid wood floors that warped and split when installed in either kitchens or baths; cherry wood cabinets that have
become 4 shades darker than the original chosen color in one year; butcher
block counters that have become water and heat damaged, etc. Designers can steer you away from materials that are not suitable for your anticipated uses. Don’t be afraid to ask for unbiased
professional help on this. It may save
you thousands of dollars and months of stress.
12.
WORKING WITH FAMILY/FRIENDS
I have heard the same argument a million
times: “My brother/nephew/neighbor (etc.) is a superb contractor. He can help me remodel my kitchen/bath. I don’t need to spend all the extra money on
a builder/contractor.” Having friends
and family with talent and connections is wonderful, but unless that
brother/nephew/neighbor is retired with absolutely nothing to do, it is generally a bad idea to employ their
services. The complications with family and friends on
large scale projects are just too much to risk.
What if you don’t like their ideas?
What if you don’t like the quality of their work in the end? What if they have other things to do and only
have time to work on your home once every couple weeks? These are actually common issues with family/friend
employment on remodels/renovations. Not
only is the quality and timing of the project at risk, but the relationship is
put at risk as well. If you cannot
afford a third party contractor/professional, consider putting the project on
hold, or speak with a qualified designer to discuss options for a low budget
route. My company is very budget
friendly, and just a couple hours of professional discussion can do you and
your pocketbook a world of good. I can
help you figure out the best ways to pursue a low-cost, but good quality
renovation in your home.
13.
ORDER TIME
Here is a good rule of thumb: don’t set
deadlines. Set a “estimated/goal
completion date”. The reality is that
orders get delayed, deliveries need to be rescheduled/postponed, and the wrong
color gets delivered. These are just a
few of the many things that can set your project back for MONTHS. As a general guideline: For custom cabinets, estimate 5-8 weeks for
delivery; for tile, estimate 2-7 weeks for delivery; appliances and fixtures
vary, but are usually attainable within 2-3 weeks unless they are backordered. As for contractors and specialists, you MUST
allow some padding time around the estimated time frame they give you. If you want a project completed quickly, but
with good quality work and product, always hire a qualified designer to project
manage. As mentioned before, it is most
beneficial to you if you bring in the designer before a project is executed to
discuss preliminary decisions, budgeting, time frame and the look desired of
course. The “look desired” is easily
attained in 1-2 weeks for a professional interior designer. It is all the other stuff that takes time,
including order time.
14.
ORDER COORDINATION
As mentioned in “order time” it is best to
employ a designer very early in the game.
It is of course nice to have a designer to help pick out colors and
materials, and space planning, but the complicated part comes later---when
permits are needed, and product is ordered.
The orders need to be coordinated and executed at the appropriate times
to make sure that all product arrives in the same week approximately. Having everything arrive at one time is not a
must, but having a bunch of cabinets sitting in your garage and susceptible to
moisture is a very bad idea. Materials
for the project can be ruined before they are installed if proper arrangements
are not made! An experienced and
organized interior designer will know how to coordinate the orders and deliveries
to avoid this problem. And of course, it
is important to make sure you do not delay on ordering the product that will
take the longest. Do not mull over it
for too long, or your project will be delayed.
Hire a professional designer to guide you on this and help you make
educated decisions. This will get your
orders delivered fast, and installed faster!
15.
INSTALL COORDINATION & SUPERVISION
For an organized person, orders can be
coordinated easily, but coordinating contractors and installers is an entirely
different ballgame. It is important to
have a reliable team of contractors that have worked together and are easy to get
a hold of. I insist upon the best
service for my clients. The contractor
coordination alone is a VERY big reason to bring in a designer straight away. You don’t have to deal with the estimate
game, or the scheduling game. My company
handles that for you. This part of “project
management” is one that definitely makes hiring a qualified designer worth the
money. Generally speaking, home
renovation projects can turn chaotic when just ONE contractor is involved. Imagine how it would be with 3 or 4! Save yourself time and tons of stress and
call me to coordinate your home renovation project.
Don’t be a homeowner that after 14 months and $90,000 of
questionable investments, says “In hindsight, maybe I should have hired a
designer”. Take the extra precaution for
yourself, your home and your pocketbook, and book a consultation before jumping
into your project. You won’t regret
it!
925-895-1336
No comments:
Post a Comment