Q: How early should a homeowner involve a remodeler if they’re still in the idea gathering phase?
A: The sooner the better. There’s certainly no harm in contracting a reliable design/build remodeling company early in the process. It’s actually very beneficial and I would highly recommend it once you’ve decided that you’re serious about undertaking a project and you’ve taken at least a few minutes to determine how much money you could possibly access and how much you would feel comfortable investing (certainly not always the same). An experienced design/build remodeling firm will guide you through the idea development of your project (which is the most critical element in determining how satisfied you’ll be upon completion of your project) by asking all the right questions to discover exactly what you’re trying to accomplish with this remodel. Remodelers are problem solvers and the right company will be able to offer multiple solutions and product options that will help you achieve the end result you desire. Remember, a remodeling project is supposed to be a tailored fit for you and your unique situation, not a one-size-fits-all or an off-the-rack experience. Tap into their expertise; you owe it to yourself.
Q: How does the design/build process differ from hiring a separate designer and contractor?
A: Generally speaking, designers prioritize the aesthetics, style, form, colors, etc. Contractors build things but usually don’t design what they build. This leaves a gap in the middle which is, in my professional opinion, the most important part of any remodeling project and that is “why are we remodeling?” What are we trying to get accomplished with this remodel? How will it make our lives safer, easier, healthier and/or more enjoyable? Will it enhance our lives not just immediately but for years to come as our family grows and matures? Very few interior designers or contractors have the specific training and skill level in asking the detailed questions, the “why” questions, that will uncover what will help you achieve your unique goals. A remodeling project should be much more than just a collection of pretty and shiny things.
The other age-old problem that often occurs between separate designers and contractors is a problem with effective communication. And not just between the two of them but between you as well and each of them. Areas of responsibility and the chain of communication can become confusing at best and if it begins to break down the finger pointing begins. You never want to be in the middle of that. The designer has a really good picture in their mind of what this new project will look like because they have probably designed many of them. The contractor also has a good picture in their because they build these projects all the time. The problem comes in when they’re both not the same picture. When you work with a design/build company all aspects of your project are handled internally by a team of professionals who have systems in place and work closely with each other each and every day. This ensures that everybody involved in your project, from its initial design and development to product selections and on through the construction phase are all consistently and effectively communicating with each other and are all “looking at the same picture.”
Happy remodeling!
