Meeting With A Home Remodeler? Let Us Suggest Some Homework First
Creating a home that meets your stylistic and functional needs means working with a qualified team of professionals like a design-build firm.
Nothing is more exciting and often more confusing than embarking on a home remodeling project. To create a home that best serves you and your family, the home remodeler you choose needs to know and understand your lifestyle, how you will use the space, who will use the space, and more.
If you have never lived through a home remodeling project, there are some key questions to ask and answer before you meet with and hire a home remodeler.
To help you prepare, here are some questions and ideas to help you choose and work with your project team.
Defining Your Remodeling Project
Preparation will make it easier to navigate the challenges that will inevitably come up before and during construction. Taking the time to think about your wants and needs before you begin will help your home remodeler hit the ground running.
Who will use the space, and what will take place?
Creating a list of how you and your family will use the new space will help your home remodeler and designer get a feel for its overall function. Creating a personal space like a bedroom suite or home office and letting your designer know how you plan on using the space can help them focus on the aesthetics and functionality of your new room.
Are you creating a room for the entire family to use? Creating a multi-functional family space where your kids will do their homework or you all gather for movie night will require your designer to take a different approach. Creating a list of your wants and needs will help your home remodeler better plan your dream space.
What is on your must-have list, and what is on your wish list?
Think about what you need in your space. Do you want high-end appliances in your new kitchen or a fireplace in your basement family room? Start with your must-have features, fixtures, finishes, and functionality, and compile a list. Your designer can help you to make the right choices. They will look at your budget and choose items that fit your needs, aesthetic… and budget.
Take some time and dream a little. Compile a wish list of features, finishes, fixtures, and other items you would love. What would you want to include if money was no object? Sometimes, your home remodeler might be able to find materials that meet your needs and can save you money for that dream feature.
Think about the scope of your project.
Are you planning a kitchen remodel, new addition, or complete custom home build? No matter what level of home remodeling project, begin by putting together a design brief or functional program that describes your background information, space needs, and any specific requirements you may have for your project. List everything important to you.
A design brief is an invaluable document allowing you to reflect on how you live. Think about your space needs, specific requirements, and aspects that are important to you. A functional program can be a great tool to get everyone in your family and design-build team on the same page. It allows you to align and refine your vision before making major decisions about your home, project, and design. Your design brief is a roadmap to help you reach your design destination!
What about lighting?
A lighting plan will make your space more functional and better meet your needs for any task. This is another area where defining how you will use your space comes into play. Will you be watching movies with your family in the dark? Will the kids be using the room to do their homework? By defining your intentions for the space, your designer can formulate the best light approach using task, recessed, ambient, and natural light.
By defining your intentions for your designer, they can create a multi-tiered lighting plan to meet your needs.
What will you keep in the room?
Storage is another important element for every family. Think about what you’ll be keeping in the room. Are you remodeling the family bathroom? When you list the things you keep in there and the number of people who use the room, your designer will better understand your needs and develop a storage solution. For example, open shelving with individual baskets can give every family member their own storage. Built-in niches or shallow shelves can provide storage for shampoos, creams, and toiletries.
Is your countertop covered with keys, mail, electronics, and homework? Maybe a piece of furniture with numerous compartments or drawers can serve as a central station for the family. A good designer can help you solve storage issues, but they will need to know what issues need to be addressed.
What is your design style?
This is another area to consider and discuss with your designer. Think about colors, style, and the overall feel you want to achieve in your space.
Create an idea book for your home remodeling project. Add inspirational photographs, color and fabric swatches, artwork, and furniture that you love. Include pictures of lighting, appliances, and fixtures that fit your aesthetic style. Find what speaks to you. Are there any items that you or your family cherish? Do you have a favorite decorating style? For example, are you looking to create a traditional vibe or a contemporary or industrial look?
With that in mind, don’t box yourself in. You hired a professional designer to take advantage of their expertise. Listen to their suggestions with an open mind.
What do you like about the space, and what do you want to change?
Sometimes, small changes can make a non-functional space work. For example, you may like your kitchen layout and have plenty of storage, but the cabinets are too dark. Refinishing the cabinets can be a low-cost way of making the room work for you visually. Maybe you like the overall feel of a space, but it feels a little cramped. A designer can create a floor plan to best use the space while considering focal points, large windows, art, and more.
Your home remodeler can work with you to make any space fit your lifestyle and meet your needs. They can keep things you like and remove or change the things you don’t. Be clear about what you like and don’t like about your space.
Finally, how much money do you have for your project?
Setting a realistic budget is crucial for the success of any home remodeling project. Be realistic. Costs can range widely. It’s important to share your budget with your designer or design-build professional. Your budget will set the tone of your project. A professional designer can figure out ways to maximize your budget to meet your needs best.
Be Prepared, Save Money, And Get The Remodel You’ve Always Wanted
Your designer is there to work with you to help you achieve your home remodeling goals. Clarifying your needs, style, and expectations will help them understand your lifestyle and create a design to meet your goals. Doing your homework before your project begins can save time and money and set the tone for your entire project.