Springtime is synonymous with fresh starts and new beginnings, manifesting in various ways for different people. For allergy sufferers, it may be time to start taking those allergy meds. Or it may be time to kick off a spring-cleaning spree and purge your closets of those items no longer needed. Garden enthusiasts eagerly anticipate planting new flowers, infusing their outdoor areas with the vibrant colors absent during the winter months. And for you homeowners, spring signals the perfect opportunity to tackle long-awaited remodeling projects, like that dream kitchen or bathroom renovation. If that’s you, it’s time to answer the call of home improvement and embrace the season of transformation.

Remodeling can be an overwhelming process, with many factors to consider such as time, budget, design, and selections, and knowing where to start can be the biggest challenge. That’s why I’ve compiled a list of common questions to help guide you through the process.

Q: I’m ready to remodel my kitchen, but I’m not sure if there are any other layout options besides the one I currently have. Whom should I contact first to kick-start the process and explore different layout possibilities?

A: In this scenario, I recommend reaching out to an interior designer as your initial step. One who specializes in home remodels can assess your space, offering insights into and determining the best layout options to maximize its potential. They’ll take into account your requirements and budget, crafting a customized plan tailored to your needs and preferences. Once you have finalized the plan, the next step is to engage a contractor to bring it to life. An interior designer collaborating with a contractor ensures a seamless project, blending their own spins and areas of expertise to achieve the best remodel for your space.

Q: I’m renovating my primary bathroom and have received quotes from three different contractors. The quotes are quite different, and I’m unsure if I am comparing apples to apples. I’m unfamiliar with much of the construction lingo and could use some assistance understanding all of it. Can you help?

A: Unfortunately, some contractors provide vague remodeling quotes, while others break down every detail line by line. As an interior designer specializing in remodels, I’m well-versed in deciphering these quotes. Any designer experienced in remodels should be able to assist you in understanding them.

One significant difference between quotes is often the allowances provided by contractors for necessary items in your renovation project. For instance, when you remodel your bathroom, you’ll need faucets, a tub, shower fixtures, tiles, lighting, mirrors, a shower door, cabinets, hardware, the countertop, and more. Allowances represent the amount allocated in the quote for these items. For example, one contractor may include a plumbing allowance of $5,000 to include everything related to plumbing, such as the faucets, tub, sinks, and toilet. Another contractor might offer only $3,000 for the plumbing allowance. This discrepancy matters. If you choose the $3,000 bid but your plumbing costs $5,000, you’ll have to pay the additional $2,000. Conversely, if you select the $5,000 bid but the plumbing costs only $4,000, you’ll pay the contractor $1,000 less as you didn’t use the full allowance. Sometimes, contractors offer low allowances to present a lower total cost – but oftentimes, these allowances may not be realistic. For example, if you see a kitchen faucet allowance of $100, I can promise you the faucet will cost much more than that. It’s essential to understand that contractors can provide an exact number only if you’ve selected everything in advance and encounter no problems once the demolition starts. This hardly ever happens, so it’s always a smart idea to have a contingency fund. You never know what might be lurking behind the wall you are tearing down or if the floor is rotten under the 20-year-old shower. Moreover, you have the right to know the breakdown of the quote. Just giving you a bottom-line number and nothing else is not acceptable. You should receive a complete breakdown of the entire job, including what you’re paying the contractor/project manager.

Q: My contractor started my small bathroom remodel about three months ago and is still not finished. It is a small bathroom with only a vanity, toilet, and tub/shower. As you can imagine, we are very frustrated. Is this normal for such a renovation?

A: This is a loaded question. From my experience, some contractors are highly organized, while others, not so much. However, delays can arise from circumstances beyond their control, such as the sickness of a subcontractor, items arriving broken or damaged, etc. It’s crucial when working with a contractor to ensure that all your selections (like tiles or cabinets) are finalized, ordered, and received before beginning the demolition process. By doing so, you are not waiting on a backorder of tile or a cabinet that got destroyed in shipping, resulting in another four-week wait for its replacement. These situations can massacre a timeline, as subcontractors move on to their next job, leaving your remodel on hold until they can return. Now weeks have gone by, and your room is in total disarray as you wait. As I always advise my clients, expect the unexpected. No matter how planned out the remodel is, things happen. It is construction. The key to managing these challenges lies in maintaining open and effective communication between the contractor and the homeowner.

So, all you homeowners out there who are contemplating a remodel, dive in! Beyond boosting your home’s market value, remodels enrich your personal living experience. Don’t put it off until you’re ready to sell – embark on your remodeling journey today and savor the transformation of your space.