You’ve spent months, maybe years dreaming about remodeling your home and now you’ve gathered up the courage and funds to get started. Your Pinterest board and your Houzz ideabook are full of inspiration images. You’ve talked to numerous friends and family about their remodeling experiences to get advice. You’ve researched local firms that provide design and remodeling services to figure out which one offers the best fit for your needs. The days of living in your old space are coming to an end! You’re ready! You’re excited! So let’s get started now! Having a sense of urgency is understandable. Naturally, when we finally gather the courage to take on a huge change, we want it to happen quickly. The same is true for home remodeling. But unfortunately, it isn’t available via two-day shipping for Prime members, if you know what I mean.  Planning for remodeling is a process with a series of necessary steps before the first hammer is even swung.

Here’s an overview: Conceptual and Construction Plans  It all starts with scaled conceptual 3D renderings to establish a general direction towards a final design. After a few tweaks, conceptual plans then get converted to detailed construction-ready documents. 

Existing Site Evaluations Remodeling means transforming an existing space, so before estimates can be finalized, a team of professionals needs to comb the existing home to see what will be required to transform it into what’s been put on the construction plans. Plumbers, electricians, HVAC specialists, and structural engineers are part of this team, to name a few.

Fixture and Finish Selection While it is not uncommon to enter a remodeling contract full of allowances for fixtures and finishes, try to minimize the unknowns by making those decisions before signing a contract. That means deciding on cabinetry, countertops, hardware, plumbing and lighting fixtures, appliances, and flooring to name the most common.

Pre-Construction Staging With a contract and construction plans in place, permits can be applied for, custom materials can be ordered, and crews can be scheduled.  One final walkthrough with the construction and design team ensures all are on the same wavelength before work begins. This is also the time to get more detailed information about construction logistics and disruptions (parking, dust control, work hours, etc.), especially if you plan to remain in the home while the project is underway. As you can see, many things must take place between when you first decide to remodel and when the project gets underway.  Following the necessary steps will take time, but the result will be well worth the wait! 

 Brad Little is the president of Case design/remodeling of Charlotte and  has been leading a team of award-winning designers and craftsmen since  2005. to view more of their projects and schedule a free consultation,  visit www.casecharlotte.com or call 704-759-3920.