A home remodel is a big decision, not just financially but also in terms of time commitment and deciding what features to include. As excited as you may be to get started on the remodel you’ve been dreaming of, a little planning and preparation can go a long way toward making sure your remodel is everything you want it to be.
The experts at Phoenix Construction have more than 100 years of combined industry experience, which means we’ve seen what happens when home remodels go well—and when they don’t. When it comes to planning your next remodel, that experience and expertise become your advantage to help make sure your project runs as smoothly as possible. From accurate estimations to realistic expectations, we know how to plan, execute, supervise, and complete remodels of every size for a finished product you’ll be satisfied with for years to come.
We know that the little things matter just as much as the big things, and that some of the most important work is done before we ever start. For a successful remodel, here are five things to consider before a single nail goes in or a wall comes down.
Define Your Goals
The best way to start a home remodel is by clearly planning out the goals of the project. Some types of changes, like adding another bathroom, can increase the property value of a home. Others, like installing an above-ground pool, do little for home value but make a big impact in your personal life because they contribute something that is important to you individually. Both of these motivators are valid, but they should be part of the consideration phase before remodeling begins. Is the goal to increase property value? Add a specific feature? A combination of both? The answers to these questions will help to guide decisions later on in the process, such as what materials to use and where to put the specific feature.
Remember that making these choices isn’t just important for you—it’s also an essential element for the construction team. Use this early stage to clearly communicate your vision so that the team you’re working with has a transparent understanding of what you hope to achieve. This prevents mistakes once remodeling starts, and it equips a knowledgeable team with the information they need to guide your decisions. If they know of a better way to complete the project, such as by using longer-lasting materials, or if they can identify problems looming down the pipeline, knowing ahead of time saves money and effort. In Oklahoma, for instance, the addition of a new room in the home might come with factors you didn’t expect—like the need to purchase a larger HVAC system to compensate for more cubic feet of air to heat and cool.
Set a Realistic Budget
Next, determine your budget. It can be demoralizing to envision an idyllic new space in your home only to find that it’s thousands—or even tens of thousands—of dollars above your budgetary flexibility. Ideally, you should have a hard number in mind that represents the maximum amount that you are willing and able to spend on the project. This means money that you have accessible or a predetermined amount on a loan for which you have been pre-approved. Your budget should be realistic, not idealistic.
Once you have determined this number, calculate the base costs that you are certain your project will require, regardless of scope. For instance, if you are adding a bathroom to your home, you know that the room will be A x B in size, regardless of what furnishings are located inside. This enables you to create a baseline minimum cost that will not fluctuate much no matter what changes you make to the overarching plan.
Once this baseline is established, use the rest of your budget to slowly add features that are appealing to you. This could be upgrading the type of tile you use, adding an additional element for more convenience, improving lighting, or something else. Don’t forget to factor in less tangible costs, such as labor.
Accurate budgeting and estimating are vital to ensure that your remodel stays within your financial constraints and is completed on time, but coming up with the right numbers can pose a challenge, especially if this is your first remodel. At Phoenix Construction, we provide estimates down to the penny to help you plan as accurately as possible, as well as a 24/7 web-based project management tool where our remodels are constantly updated for constant, consistent information that gives you more confidence throughout the process.
Do Your Research and Choose the Right Contractor
It’s tempting to spend most of the time before a remodel thinking about the features and amenities that are being added. However, don’t forget to dedicate enough time to researching the right contractor for your project. Not all construction companies are created equally, and choosing someone you can trust can be the difference between a seamless, high-quality job and a long-lasting nightmare that has to be redone just a few years later.
First and foremost, your contractor should be licensed and insured. This protects you and them from financial liability if things go wrong so that the situation can be corrected as quickly as possible. Reliable contractors are also responsive to questions and open with their answers; they should be eager to demonstrate past projects, especially ones that are similar to the job you’re looking forward to.
Check your contractor’s online reviews from previous clients to see if they all say similar things. Odds are, if multiple reviews mention problems with important factors like timely completion, this is a genuine problem rather than one person’s high-maintenance criticism.
It’s also important to work with a contractor who keeps you in the loop. Remodels can look a lot different than you envisioned in your head, and being able to stay informed allows for changes to be made immediately. Phoenix Construction’s active client portal is constantly updated to show real-time remodel progress at any time, day or night. Going the extra mile with options like these will help you feel confident throughout the process and enable good communication between you and the contractor each step of the way.
Prepare for Temporary Disruptions
Remodels can be a big interruption to your life and daily routine, which means that you might not have access to certain spaces while the process is underway. If your home or business is undergoing substantive changes, you might need to plan for disruptions spanning multiple days or even longer. This could mean operating from a different work area temporarily or even finding alternative living arrangements like a hotel while the remodel is happening. Don’t forget to factor this additional cost into your budget so that you are not taken by surprise.
Reputable construction companies will do their best to minimize disruptions, and each may go about it a slightly different way. Some will do everything they can to prepare the area (often with your help!) so that as little time is taken on the actual remodel as possible. Others will work off hours when things are less busy, or they will approach the project from an angle that allows only a partial disruption.
No matter which way they choose, the best approach is to get as much done ahead of the remodel as possible so that, once things become inaccessible, the rest of the work can proceed smoothly and efficiently.
Secure the Appropriate Documentation and Permits
Depending on the type of change being made to the property, you may need to acquire permits or zoning documents before the work can begin. Local construction companies will understand the specific requirements for your jurisdiction and can help you to navigate this process.
It’s also important to leave some room in the budget for minor document request fees; for instance, Oklahoma City charges $29.50 for the permit fee for electrical permitting changes. While these costs may seem minor in the overarching scheme of things, they can add up quickly when multiple types of permits are required. Moreover, failing to properly pull permits could result in legal action that could cost you in fines, additional fees, or even the cost to undo any work that has already been completed. You can greatly reduce your risk of this happening by working with a local, experienced contractor who already knows what needs to be done.
Trust Your Remodel to the Experts at Phoenix Construction
A remodel is a big decision, but it doesn’t have to be a stressful one. Phoenix Construction is a locally owned company that’s been helping Oklahomans build, restore, and renovate their homes and communities for more than a decade. From a simple update to a whole-home remodel, we have the experience, expertise, and skill sets to provide high-quality renovation services to fit any budget.
At Phoenix Construction, we operate with integrity and professionalism, and we always use high-quality materials paired with innovative techniques to make sure that your remodel stands the test of time. We also offer a multi-year warranty on our work, and we coordinate closely with homeowners and business owners to ensure that their vision is fully realized in each of the projects that we tackle. Contact us to discuss your goals for your remodel and get the help you need with budgeting, permits, and more.
