Built In Pride - A Classic Beauty
The bungalows and craftsman-style homes of our recent past have continued to attract attention today, due to the style, quality, and unique use of space. Today, again, we are trending toward smaller, more personal and purposeful spaces. People are enjoying comfortable outdoor spaces, professionally installed storage, and built-in multi-use cabinetry. Smaller-footprint electronics (such as LCD TVs, laptops, and IPODs) take concealing these gadgets in a newly designed space to an even higher level.
What Does This Mean For You?
Planning for options to use the “odd” spaces that remodeling frequently creates and anticipating future projects can save on redundant expenses. Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC and even the impact of a doorway you move may have consequences on future growth or reorganization of the home.
Every space has an optimal layout. This can best be determined by utilizing the talents of several lines of professionals. A design/decorate firm can tell you what you should do. A carpenter may tell you what they know. A specialist in the trades will tell you what is possible-at some cost. A qualified remodeling contractor will tell you what is possible, potentially costly problems that may be anticipated and how they might be avoided, recommendations based on experience, and what they will charge for this package. This is where imagination and reality meet.
Of course, as a homeowner you should begin the process by offering a list of the priorities for the project and providing a conceptual outline illustrating what you want to see upon completion. Nothing does this better than pictures you have found in magazines, online, or have taken in places such as the Madison Area Builder’s Association Parade of Homes.
Planning Your Budget
Typically a builder or re-builder will supply allowance items in initial bidding. These allowances are based on historical jobs, and provide a starting point. Generally there are both less and more expensive options-sometimes significantly more expensive. If this part of the process is of great concern, specifying specific models of faucets and lights, type of metal (i.e. oil rubbed bronze, brushed nickel, chrome), or wood type for cabinets and trim will get a more accurate starting point. Choosing from multiple vendors may show cost savings on those items, but further complicate the process of attaining all of the necessary pieces of the puzzle.
An inexhaustible search for unique products will likely fall on the shoulders of the homeowner or paid decorator, and may not provide a more satisfying outcome. That complication can lead to delays as missing parts are compiled and therefore significant cost overruns as tradesmen make repeated visits. Some products available require significant cost increases for installation, too. It is best to have this agreed in advance if there are to be more unique options.
Your Result
No one can determine what will satisfy you better than you. Through thorough research, communication, and cooperation with your contractor, you can achieve the balance of budget and embellishment, of form and function. Be sure that your plan is in writing to avoid confusion…and review the tiniest of details. And, before you move forward, be sure you get (and call) references, asking for details on installation. This way you can effectively compare notes on how different contractors plan to proceed. This will be key to selecting a contractor that is right for you.
