| Remodeling is tricky business. Some builders think | | | | bathrooms. |
| it's harder than new construction! And, in some | | | | - Specify the flooring, the trim carpentry, the |
| ways it is. You have to match existing conditions | | | | cabinets, the back splash, the ceiling detail, the |
| and sometimes this means trying to stick a | | | | windows and doors, the fixtures and appliances. |
| square peg in a round hole! Depending on how old | | | | - Think about where the mechanical systems will |
| and what kind of shape your building is in... will | | | | go - heat/AC - plumbing - electric |
| determine how you remodel it. A real colonial | | | | - Don't forget about low voltage wiring - phones - |
| home (I mean one built in the 1700's not a | | | | computers - alarms - TV |
| "colonial reproduction") for example has | | | | 5 Green It |
| construction techniques that aren't used (or | | | | - Review products and procedures for |
| rarely) anymore like hand laid stone foundations, | | | | environmental impact |
| hand-blown glass, hand carved mouldings and | | | | - Energy usage - use EnergyStar appliances |
| clapboards and post and beam construction. | | | | - Toxicity - low VOC paints o Efficiency - make it |
| 10 Step - Quick Start Check List | | | | work well |
| 1 Take stock of what you GOT!!! | | | | - Durability - use products that last and have low |
| - What kind of shape is your home in? | | | | maintenance |
| - Are utilities upgraded? | | | | 6 Add Up the Bucks $$$ |
| - Is the structure solid? | | | | - Have your builder draw up a "Rough Budget" |
| - Do you have enough space to work within the | | | | showing the line items. |
| existing walls? | | | | - Things will change as you finalize your plans - but |
| 2 Dream a little Dream | | | | start early - and adjust your budget |
| - Gather your ideas - magazine articles - books - | | | | - Remember - you will spend more than you think |
| photos | | | | - so set a budget lower than where you want to |
| - Figure out the style - color - look that you want | | | | finish up |
| - Write down a half page vision statement for the | | | | - Don't rely on square foot cost ballparks - they |
| look and feel of the job. | | | | don't make any sense! |
| - Traditional - modern - white - eclectic - country | | | | 7 Schedule |
| - high tech? | | | | - Get the architect/designer layout a schedule of |
| - Do you need more space or can a more | | | | the planning process - including the permit process |
| efficient layout do the job? | | | | - then check it with your city/town |
| 3 Draft the players for your Team | | | | - Have your builder draw up a rough schedule |
| - Planning is key - who will design and specify the | | | | while you are still planning the project |
| plans for your remodel? | | | | - Understand the linear fashion of construction - if |
| - Architect? Designer? Interior Designer? Design | | | | you make a change in the middle of the project |
| Builder? | | | | you can ruin your schedule! |
| - Who will process the permits? (sometimes a | | | | 8 Contract |
| bigger job than you might think!) | | | | - Get your builder to finalize the costs and draw |
| - Who will build it? o Who will do the fine finishing's | | | | up a specific contract. |
| - colors - curtains - art hanging | | | | - Base the payouts on milestones of completion in |
| - Line 'em all up early | | | | the project. |
| 4 Plan and Re Plan | | | | - Specify products and installation procedures - |
| - Overdo the planning! The more you figure out | | | | oversight - clean up - security of the job - |
| things on the front end the better the pricing, | | | | warranty of the work - follow up after |
| speed and quality of the job! o Make a simple | | | | completion |
| model - use foam core board | | | | - Re do the schedule based on the final plans and |
| - Draw elevations of all walls in the kitchens and | | | | specifications. |