A home remodel involves more than just tearing down or putting up walls. The space needs to be designed, approved, materials purchased, timelines approved, contractors have to be secured—and don’t even get us started on the inspections and permits! If you are thinking of doing a home remodel, here are a few essential things to consider before you start breaking ground. Pun intended!

1 – Have A Clear Vision

Your first step should be to work with your designer to develop a plan that clearly states your goals and design inspiration. Having a clear scope of your home remodel will help you stay on track. Once you’re in the throes of a project, it can be easy to get distracted, seduced by side projects, and forget what your priorities were in the first place.

Your project plan should include: 

• Blueprints or sketches of your finished project. 
• A list of needs and wants.
• Project steps divided into DIY and those where you have to HSDI (Hire Someone To Do It)

2 – A Good Contractor Is Key

It’s crucial to have a professional who knows the scope of your home remodel and has your best interests in mind. This person will help you stay on track, hit your deadlines, and can use their expertise to make the process more efficient. 

Here are several factors to keep in mind when selecting your contractor: 

• Budget & Payment schedule. It is important to discuss payment terms before construction begins. A reputable contractor won’t ask you to pay full price upfront, and the Better Business Bureau advises not to. 
• Years of experience. 
• Make sure your contractor has the proper license(s) for their line of work. 
• Certificate of insurance. Contractors should have Worker’s Compensation and General Liability insurance certificates from their insurance broker readily available. 

3 – Create A Schedule (Expect Changes) 

This goes hand-in-hand with having a good contractor! At Christie’s Design/Build Remodeling, we want your home remodel to turn out precisely the way you envisioned it, and as any good contractor knows, this takes precious time. Since none of these steps can be rushed or skipped, it is imperative to plan ahead. 

One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is having unrealistic expectations about timelines. As a general rule, you should plan for at least 5-7 weeks of planning your home remodel before the hammers start hitting the nails. Whatever timeline you and your contractor come up with, tack on a few extra weeks (at least) to temper your expectations—even more so with supply chain issues the world is having now!

4 – Nail Down Your Budget (Plan For Fluctuations!) 

No matter what you expect your home remodel to cost, there is always a possibility of it growing due to unforeseen costs. Our advice is to educate yourself, plan ahead, and expect the unexpected.

• Familiarize yourself with your local codes, such as Boulder County’s green building code, The BuildSmart Checklist, a catalog of all city residential construction criteria. (See the list here. ) 

• Included on the checklist is The HERS or Home Energy Rating System. Developed by RESNET, HERS is the nationally recognized system for inspecting and calculating a home’s energy performance. To determine your home’s score, certified RESNET Home Energy Raters conduct inspections to verify its energy performance and determine what improvements can be made to increase it. These improvements can account for the highest costs in your project. 

5 –  Relax!  

We all know it can seem impossible to remain calm when changes are going on in your home remodel —but that’s when it’s essential to do so! Kick back in your favorite room that isn’t being worked on, and remember why you’re on this adventure in the first place. 

Christie’s is here to help you create the home of your dreams. Whatever you need, let Christie’s Design/Build, and remodel your floors/lighting/closets/everything, including the kitchen sink! Our designers will take the time to understand and stick to your vision and your budget to make your dreams come true.