The Chicken or the Egg
Unlike the old chicken and egg conundrum, there is a definite order to the renovation process, ensuring clients get the outcome they want while working within their budget.
First you need to have a plan – that’s where your designer and the overall design for the space comes in. Once you have the finalized plan then you put it into action – that’s the construction portion usually completed by a contractor or in some cases a skilled DIY’er. It is important, when taking on a renovation of any size, that you have a plan for what you want the space to look like and how it will function.
Asking a contractor to quote on a renovation before the design is nailed down is definitely a cart before the horse scenario. Without a design what is the contractor quoting on? In order for the contractor to provide clients with a realistic quote clients have to be clear on the scope of the project and the level of finishes they are interested in. No one wants to find out part way through a project items they thought were included in the initial quote aren’t - sending the budget upwards.
Click here to find out more on where to start with a renovation.
The Right Person for the Job
No one would hire a plumber to fix their car so why hire a contractor to design a renovation? Everyone has their own area of expertise when it comes to renovations. Designers are great at using their extensive knowledge and experience to come up with a design plan just right for you. Contractors are great at putting the design plan into action and making it come to life.
There are many advantages to hiring a designer for your renovation – first and foremost they are focused on how you use the space and take time to fully understand your challenges and come up with design solutions to meet those challenges. They are also focused on how all of the finishes work together to create a cohesive look. Throughout the process there are choices and decisions designers evaluate and solve.
The planning stage of any renovation is crucial as it allows clients to determine where and how the budget is going to be spent. A designer helps to ensure clients are spending the budget in the right places for the home and the neighborhood they are living in.
Seeing is Believing
3D Rendering of Kitchen Renovation
Designers can provide you with 3D images or sketch ups of what the remodeled space would look like. This is a useful tool to help clients “see” what the final product would be. It is much easier to make changes to a drawing during the planning stage than once everything is installed. Visualizing the renovation helps clients to see the end product and budget for the new space.
While a designer and drawings are an added expense to the project, when spending $25,000, $50,000 or even $100,000 on a renovation the price is well worth it to ensure you know what you are getting. Clients can expect to pay between 5-8% or more of the total renovation budget on design fees depending on the size and complexity of the renovation.
Dollars and Sense
Save you money
Using a designer to help pick out the right paint color and finishes that work together and getting the look and feel right the first time, will save you money (and frustration) in the long run. Designers have knowledge of the market and where you can get the best value for your renovation dollars. They can provide advice on areas of the home where a splurge item makes sense and can guide on areas to save. Designers have access to products, product lines and suppliers others don’t, ensuring you get a one of a kind look.
See how we helped some clients re-renovate after their bad reno experience in our reno wrong made right case study.
Realistic Budget
Once the design is nailed down and the clients are happy with the look and layout the designer can help put together a preliminary renovation estimate based on the size of their budget and the level of finishes they want for your space. Throughout the process a designer can help pick finishes and products that work within their budget estimate.
Be wary of contractors who walk through and start dropping numbers – how can they know how much it will cost when they don’t know if you want laminate or quartz counter tops? Contractors will often quote on builder grade products – lower end quality - and then change order (charge more) for any choices over and above their quoted level. This can result in a renovation costing much more than originally quoted, once all of the changes are added in.
With a designer, clients will know what is included in the quote as they have taken the time to pick out the finishes. Designers work closely with the client in terms of the budget and can adjust the budget or provide alternative choices at a different price point that still work within the design. A designer can help clients decide where it’s better to spend a little more and recommend areas to save. And they can help you get more items on your wish list.
Using a designer and planning ahead helps clients save time and money in the long run. Designers are the crucial first step in any renovation.