Do you cringe at the idea of starting a new home build or remodeling project? Sure, there is some level of anxiety to be expected with moving forward on any kind of major project. However, there are steps you can take to ensure that your next experience with a professional builder or remodeler is as stress-free as possible! Heck, we’d even go so far as to say it should be gratifying!
Embarking on a major building or remodeling project will require some patience, but with good planning and the right builder you should be able to reduce worry and enjoy the overall process.
Ready for a stress-free building or remodeling project? Keep these tips in mind!
- Choose a Builder or Remodeler You Trust. You know yourself and what kind of working relationship will help you feel comfortable through what could be a long-term project. In addition to trust, you’ll need to understand your builder’s communication style, know who your primary point of contact will be and be able to work well together to put a solid plan in place. Large projects can be disruptive. Make sure you hire someone that will be accessible to you, help you fully understand costs and timelines, and someone you’ll be able to speak honestly with about concerns that come up. If you’d like to learn more about choosing the right builder, we recommend you do these five things. Having the right contractor in place is a MAJOR key to de-stressing your project!
- Select Your Design. You might have wonderful visions in your head, but solidifying a design will help you plan for important next steps like creating a realistic budget, timeline, etc. Your builder will be able to help you determine what it possible, make recommendations on how to maximize your investment, and provide a proposal for your project.
- Have a Plan. Your plan should be comprehensive and will have many moving parts, so take your time in creating a one that makes sense for your individual needs. Your plan should include:
- Timeline – How long is your project expected to take? Will you stay in your home (if remodeling) and what arrangements need to be made? If you’ll be living in your home make sure you work out the details with your builder as to family schedules, pets in the home, etc.
- Budget – Make sure you have the financial resources available when you need them. Work out a schedule with your builder as to how/when your payments will be made. Payments are typically tied to major stages of completion and a percentage before work is started. Be wary of anyone asking for a very large sum or the total cost upfront!
- Understand your Contract – Your builder should detail the project scope and include information about budget, payments, responsibilities, change order procedures, warranties, etc.
- Keep Proper Files & Documentation – Organize your documents so that you have easy access to everything if/when you need to refer back to it. Consider keeping your proposal, contract, all correspondence, invoices, orders, payments, etc. together in a binder or project folder.
- Be Able to Step Aside. With a respectable builder, a good design and plan in place, you should be able to breathe freely and enjoy the process from a distance. Keep your perspective and understand that things “will come up.” Weather, materials shortages or other unexpected events are inevitable. Stay focused on a positive end result, keep lines of communication open with your builder and prioritize time for yourself or the family to get away and enjoy some favorite activities.
A smooth building or remodeling process requires patience, planning and a partner that you have confidence in!
At Jeffrey L. Henry Inc. one of our primary objectives is building relationships with our clients and making the project experience a positive one. We’ve been making custom home and remodeling project dreams come true since 1987. Learn more about what makes Jeffrey L. Henry Inc. special!
