Renovating a house is a little like having a baby. Okay, it’s not really similar, but one thing they do have in common is that proper preparation makes both much easier when the time comes. But, when you’re planning to renovate your home, here are a few steps you should expect to have coming your way. 

Before the Construction Part of a Renovation Starts

Before anyone swings a hammer there are countless details that need to be looked at and planned for to ensure the construction phase goes as smoothly as possible. 

This starts with your goals for the project. Will your renovation be purely aesthetic, increase functionality, or (more likely) a bit of both? There is no wrong answer and pre-construction is the perfect time to ask all your renovation questions 

As we go through your goals, we’ll start to outline what a reasonable budget is so there will be no surprises and can we can shape the project to meet your goals and do so within your budget.  

It will also get us a chance to start getting materials you know you want that may have a longer time to arrive. For example: if you know you want your kitchen counters to be from a specific marble quarry in the Apuan Alps, ordering the slabs with plenty of time for the quarry to coordinate shipping ensures we don’t have contractors moving on to other projects while they’re waiting on materials getting here. 

Once all that is done, there are still a few i’s to dot and t’s to cross. Specifically, securing the necessary permits and approvals. This requires some detailed paperwork that needs to follow all the regulations set out by local authorities. Depending on the scope of your project and on your neighborhood, you may also need formal approvals from neighborhood associations and architectural review boards. Allowing for the necessary time to get the permits and approvals secured is essential. 

Turning Your Vision Into Your Home

Now that all the paperwork is in order and the bureaucracy is appeased the physical work is ready to start. Most renovations require some level of demolition. Things get a little messy, but you can’t make an omelet without breaking some eggs, right? Essential installations will go in first – things like plumbing, electrical work, and any new framing. Our team will make sure that everything is functional before we move on. In some cases there will be required inspections which will be completed before we shift to the finishes.

Once the flooring and paint starts to go in you’ll begin to see that initial vision come to life. Cabinets, countertops, and fixtures are the last to go in. We’ll do a final punch list with you and the builder to make sure that any problems or incomplete tasks are addressed. If a final formal inspection is needed for building codes and safety standards to be confirmed it will be done around the same time as the homeowner’s punch list. We will also make sure that you have all necessary paperwork like warranties, documentation, and any manuals you might need for the appliances that were installed. 

Now that the transformation is complete, all you have to do is sit back and enjoy your new space. Renovation is a process, and while we always try to give you an accurate timeline it’s much more an art than an exact science. When you know what to expect from each stage the process runs more smoothly with less stress. Whatever the scope and scale of your renovation we’re ready to get started. Let’s work together, give us a call.