5 tips to a sucessful remodeling project

Remodeling today can be a very exciting and rewarding process.  But more than likely it comes at a price...both financially and emotionally.  With so many unknowns and variables, remodeling can be burdensome, emotionally draining, and just plain infuriating.  Here are some things that we have learned to make the process rewarding and to meet or exceed the expectations of our customers.

1.  Redistribute.  The idea behind remodeling is to redistrubute the space you already have.  Eliminate unnecessary walls and doors, creating the feel of larger spaces without actually adding square footage.

2.  Modernize the space.  This can be as simple as removing wall paper or as elaborate as ripping out the kitchen and starting over. By doing this you can make your home a haven, more desireable to be in as well as more marketable when the time comes to sell.

3.  Plan on things changing.  There might be an old plumbing line in a wall that was just demolished.  Okay, now what?  Well, it's going to be okay, let's get creative and find some solutions.  With any remodeling project, there will always be a few unforeseen issues, but having a proactive approach to dealing with them will minimize the impact they will have on the project as a whole.

4.  Be consistant.  Some people don't love the style of the home they live in.  They would love to change it if they could.  That is fine if you are willing to change the whole thing, but to change a room or two here and there will have a negative impact on the marketability of the house.  As far as basements go, change it.  There is enough seperation that as long as it is not a radical change, it will flow just fine.

5.  Planning....This is by far the most important aspect to your remodeling project.  Take the time to meet with designers and contractors in advance of the project so you know what you are getting into.  I suggest starting a binder full of magazine pages or an electronic folder that you can show your contractor what you envision.  If everyone is on the same page from the beginning, your project will go a lot smoother.