Have you ever been through a remodel..? Yea.. well then you know about the emotional highs and lows. It doesn’t have to be that way – Paramount Remodeling is here to help you every step of the way. Here are some tips from experts, to get you started.
Make a list of your wants and needs
A great place to start when you’re ready for a home addition or remodel is to write down what you want to accomplish changing your home. If it’s an addition, you want to add more space, but more importantly, what is this space going to be used for? This changes from family to family. The more you can hone in on your end goals, the easier it will be to design with your Contractor and Architect. Keep in mind, you have likely selected your Contractor and Architect because you trust them, their quality of work, and their opinions. Lean on them to help decide what is feasible, whether or not it’s a good design idea, and if it’s something you can fit in your budget.
Think about your routine
Routines, for most, are a way of life. Before you begin the project you should note what rooms you use most, and when. If you want to have work done in that room, whether they are interior changes, or an expansion, you will have to work around the construction, so it’s a good things to plan for now. If you keep an open line of communication with your Contractor, they can help work around days/times that are important to you not to be disturbed, and they can let you know days/times it’s unavoidable and to plan around it. This will create a much more enjoyable environment for your family.
Check the calendar
It’s important to make sure your project works with your schedule. Do you have a party coming up? Family or friends visiting? If so, discuss this with your Contractor, they can help plan to be done beforehand; we suggest giving yourself a few extra weeks so there isn’t any overlap in case there are delays or changes to the project.
Get inspired
Time to figure out what you love, and what you don’t! There are many places to find inspiration; Houzz, Watching remodeling TV shows, reading magazines, and checking out Paramount’s website.
Consider your space
Houses come in many shapes and sizes – What worked on your neighbor’s house wont necessarily work on yours. Spend some time considering how your home, yard, and surrounding areas will change. Adding space doesn’t have to take away any yard, you can also build up.
Hire a professional
This is the this is the most important beginning step to your project. Find someone you can trust, someone you can communicate with openly, someone you want in your life for several months; It’s a lot like dating (don’t worry, you don’t actually have to date us). Find a contractor that can help you with your plans, interior design and material selections. Having a one stop shop will save you time and money. At Paramount, that is our M.O. We help you from concept through completion.
Get your permits
If you’ve picked a good team (contractor/Architect) this part should be easy on you. There are many building codes and legal restrictions that need to be followed closely. From working in a historic district, to building heights, building to land ratio, setback restrictions (how far from your property line/neighbors), and covenants for designs in your area. In many cases, one or more of these items might restrict you from what you want, but with the right team you can successfully apply for a variance (permission to disregard a particular ordinance).
Plan your renovation free area
This is an important step before your renovation begins to help reduce or eliminate stress of the work. We also recommend “relocating” any areas that will be out of commission during construction. Living without a kitchen will get old fast. Make sure you have a temporary kitchen set up; fridge, water source, microwave, and if you can, BBQ often. This same rule applies to any area in your house – it’s important to have areas in your house, if you’re living there during construction, that you can escape.
Let the excitement roll in
Building your new project is an exciting and important endeavor, and Paramount Remodeling wants the process to be as smooth and enjoyable as possible. That is why we provide each of our clients with access to a secure website with all of the details of their project. Whether you are at home, at work, on the road, or on vacation, Paramount puts the information you need, at your fingertips; Selections, Upgrades, Financial decisions, questions, documents, photos, and more.