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Get Crystal Clear on What You Want

The most important part of any remodel is the first (and sometimes most fun!) step: to define exactly what you want out of your remodel. If you know exactly what you want the outcome of your project to be, you’ll stay focused. Clarity keeps you on budget, on time, and happy with the end result. Changing your design before any work has begun is always the least expensive opportunity to ensure you get exactly what you want.

Being specific about what you need versus want helps you know what you want. Here’s an example: You know you want a “new” kitchen…but what does that actually mean? Are you remodeling only for aesthetics, just wanting to change appliances, cabinets and countertops? Or are you remodeling for function by changing the layout of your kitchen? Are you remodeling because you need to maintain your home or because you want to enhance its market value? Whatever your motivation may be, identifying it for remodeling helps you to clearly explain what you want to others involved in the remodel process.

Before you go any further in this process, think about:

1. Your personal circumstances. How much money and time are you willing to put into this project? How much convenience are you willing to sacrifice for it?
2. The condition of your home. This gives you an idea of where you’re starting from and how much work you may have ahead of you.
3. What’s absolutely essential to the success of your remodel. Start with structural fixes, remedying safety issues, bringing code violations into compliance and anything else that makes the home livable.
4. What’s nice to have, but not a deal breaker. If you had to let something go, what would it be?

What happens if you don’t understand where you’re coming from and what you want the end result to be? If that’s the case, your entire remodel team won’t understand all of these things either and, your project will not turn out the way you envision it. By team, I mean you, your business partner or significant other, and any professionals you hire to do any work on your remodel. If you don’t advocate for your vision and unless she is a design-build contractor, your contractor will do what they do best–get technical. I saw this happen to one of my clients, who brought me into the process after the damage was done. She hired a general contractor to “handle everything.” The contractor’s plans were simply drafting and engineering drawings necessary to obtain permits, but lacked practical considerations for comfort, functionality, and space planning.

I’m going to say this more than once on this blog, but it’s important: you are your strongest advocate for the vision and space you want.