Home Remodel Checklist: Preparing for a Consultation
Have you thought about a remodel for a while? Has your neighbor’s recent remodel given you fresh ideas? If remodeling is on your mind, then it might be time to schedule a consultation to discuss your project. What can you do now to get the most out of this meeting? Here are a few ways to prepare:
- Think about what you are trying to achieve with your remodel. Knowing the answers to the following questions will help your designer understand what will be important to you and what will need further discussion.
- Why are you thinking about remodeling? What types of problems are you having in your current space? How do you intend to use your new space?
- Are you looking for more space to entertain friends? Or to celebrate special events and holidays with grown children and their families?
- Are you embarrassed to entertain because your kitchen is so out of date?
- Is your bathroom old and hard to keep clean? Are there safety concerns like fears of slipping while getting in and out of the tub?
- Is your bathroom too small to accommodate a growing family?
- Are you looking to create a space to keep your mother close by to help her as she ages?
Create a wish list.
What things are really important to you? It is especially helpful to split your list into two sections: must haves and nice-to-haves. Must haves are the most important things to you. Whereas, nice-to-haves are things you want but may be open to alternate ideas depending on your budget and schedule.
Have fun researching before your appointment.
Scroll through websites like Houzz and make an ideabook of pictures that you love, or look through design magazines and cut out pictures. Next, take it one step further and think about why you love each image. What is it in the picture that appeals to you? Is it the windows? The countertop? A skilled designer can take those details and incorporate elements of them into your remodel. You will appreciate a project that is designed to your unique wants and needs.
Spend some time on the remodeler’s website.
Look at pictures of past work that they have done, and reviews they have received from their clients. Are the projects on their site in line with the level of quality that you expect in your home?
Consider your time frame.
When do you want to be “under construction”? Do you need to be finished by a certain date, say for a graduation party or a wedding? Depending on the size and scope of your project, how quickly you make decisions, and the remodeler’s schedule, you want to have this first meeting no later than 10-12 weeks before your desired completion date for a small project. For a larger remodel, you’ll want to give yourself 6 months or more.
Consider how much money you are comfortable investing in your home.
Think about how you will pay for your project. If you’re applying for a loan, then make sure to discuss this in terms of scheduling with your remodeler.
Once you’ve spent some time thinking about your project, relax and enjoy your meeting. This should be a fun and exciting time when the ideas and dreams you’ve spent months (or years) thinking about are finally starting to take shape. Are you just getting started? Then don’t forget to download your free guide on how to make an ideabook on Houzz.
