Typical Renovation Process + Tasks
Embarking on a renovation can be intimidating—there are a lot of little decisions that need to be made and if they aren’t well thought out, they can have a negative impact on the project. Here’s an abridged breakdown of the typical renovation process and common tasks involved. There are 3 main sections that a renovation can be broken down into.
Planning + Design Process
Starting off with a solid framework will make your entire project run a lot more smoothly. Design isn’t just about making things pretty, it’s about making the space work for you needs whether that means a kitchen for an avid baker, a dining room for a family that loves to entertain, or a couple that likes to spend most of their free time reading in wing chairs in their den.
Design also involves a lot of planning which is conveyed through formal research and documentation. We create drawings to show our clients the proposed design, but working through these drawings also helps identify any foreseeable problems. Half of our job is help to avoid any construction or installation issues further along in the process.
Contractors and builders love how much information we provide for them—it means the project isn’t a guessing game with decisions made on the fly. That being said, it’s also important to work with a trusted, licensed, reputable contractor that will execute the project well. Therefore, the interview process is crucial to the success of your project.
Construction
This is often the most stressful part of the process for homeowners and businesses. If you’re still using other parts of the space, the noise, dust and extra clutter can be very invasive. On top of all of that, construction is often the most expensive part of the entire process which can be nerve-wracking. However, if you tackle pricing during the Planning + Design Process it’s not as much of a shock. Also, spoiler alert: the more time you invest in planning, the less construction issues there are and the less money you need to throw at problems down the road.
Although the bulk of the work during this phase is done by your contractor, it’s important to check in to make sure that the work is of the proper quality and that major milestones are met on schedule. In addition, all deliveries and installations need to be coordinated so professionals aren’t running into each other onsite.
Furniture, Art + Accessories
Well designed spaces don’t leave these items until the end. All the furniture, art and accessories should be considered during the planning process so that the space feels cohesive and no elements seem like an afterthought. Further, have you ever been in a beautiful home that had only a few pieces of furniture and virtually no art and accessories? This is usually the result when the homeowner runs out of money or patience. Investing in the Planning + Design Process helps avoid going over budget and getting frustrated about 3/4 of the way through the renovation.
The Biggest Mistake I See Homeowners Make
As demonstrated in the illustration above, potential clients often contact SG23 Design WAY too late in the process. Often I see issues that could have easily been avoided if we’d been contacted early on. Further, I see items that could have been designed much better for my client’s needs.
Potential clients often call when it’s time to select paint colors, which is a missed opportunity because as you can see there are so many other things that we can help homeowners and businesses with from the beginning of the process.
What SG23 Can Help With
My team and I can help you with every single task in the first chart from the beginning to the very end of the renovation process. If you’re interested in learning more, schedule an information session phone call.