Phase Four: The Remodel
You’ve found a great contractor. The two of you have spent a lot of time planning exactly how the remodel will go. Your contractor has ordered all the materials you picked out and, after a long wait, everything has finally arrived.
Are you finally ready to get started? Probably not.
Most good contractors can be booked out a few weeks or even several months at any given time. After everything is ready on your end, you may need to wait for your contractor to finish up other projects before he or she can concentrate on your home. This can be extremely frustrating, but it’s also a reminder that your contractor is skilled enough to be in high demand. Consider it proof that you picked a qualified contractor. K B Design and Remodeling will always place approximate start and completion dates in our contracts.
The length of this phase will vary depending on the scope of your project. A bathroom remodel will be much less disruptive than a kitchen renovation or a large room addition to the home.
No matter what your project, expect noise, expect a mess, expect to be cut off from the portion of your house that will be getting remodeled. This may mean that you won’t have a kitchen for a number of weeks. You will also have people in your house working throughout the day.
A remodeling project is never easy or pleasant for a homeowner, but this is where your contractor can really shine. They will guide you through this difficult process. Strong communication means that you will know exactly what to expect and that the contractor’s team will respect your schedule and your house rules. Your contractor should also give you regular updates and let you know anytime there is a change in the timeline and cost. (Our policy is to keep our client so well informed that they never have to call us first.)
The actual build portion of the remodeling project can last weeks or months depending on the scope of the project. Replacing countertops in the kitchen can be done in a day. Ripping an entire kitchen apart and putting in a whole new lighting scheme, appliances, and adding an island will take longer.
This is a very stressful time, and you may feel like your home has been invaded by loud power tools, but keep your sense of humor and remember why you started this process in the first place: to make your home even better.
Soon, the power tools will be turned off, the plastic sheeting will come down, the dust will be swept away, and you will have a wonderful new addition to your home.