5 Conversations Every Homeowner Should Have Before Starting a Renovation
When thinking about a home project, you may start by asking your partner or family what they think about starting a renovation. But did you know there are a few other important conversations to have? Previously, I discussed What Makes a Successful Interior Design Project? 7 Decisions Before Design Begins. A few of those topics I want to go deeper on. Specifically, the conversations you should have before you start a renovation. These conversations guide you toward your goals, budget, and scope of work. They are in no particular order, so you and your family can discuss them in the way that works best for your conversation style. First, let’s discuss goals.
What are you actually trying to accomplish? In the previous post, we discussed creating project goals. Your goals help create the project vision. The professionals you hire will ask for your goals, and having them prepared will streamline the process. Keep in mind this is a conversation with everyone involved in the decision-making process. Because one person’s goals may not be the same as others', you need to talk about what you want and what others want. Be prepared for a constructive discussion because not all goals that come up in the conversation will make it into the final list. Find a time for everyone who is involved in making decisions for the project to sit down and talk. Ask yourself and those involved what the reasons behind this project are. Once everyone has had a chance to speak, ask what the ideal goals are. Consider having a designated person take notes. This streamlines the review process for selecting the top 2 or 3 goals. Once everyone has agreed, the next conversation is the budget.
What are you comfortable investing? The second decision we discussed was the budget. Ask those involved what they are comfortable spending for this project. Not everyone will want to spend the same amount. This is also a constructive conversation because one person may want a larger budget than another. Some budgets are flexible, so if changes happen or issues come up during construction, the added cost is fine. However, clarify whether the budget is flexible. If the budget is fixed, other factors come into play early on that affect the construction and design process. If you're considering renovating an older home, consider having a contingency in your budget for when construction starts. Unanticipated issues could arise and add to the project cost. Redesigning during construction can be costly and cause delays. Once everyone has agreed on a budget, the next conversation is everyone's involvement in the project.
How much do you want to take on during the renovation? How involved do you and others want to be during the renovation? Discussing who wants to be involved and how much they are is important so no one oversteps. Renovations can be stressful, so being on the same page with your partner or family about everyone’s involvement helps reduce stress. Decisions are involved in any renovation. Determining who makes decisions throughout the project and how everyone is involved helps to streamline the process. Keep in mind how much is going on in your family’s life. If there are kids' activities, work meetings or projects, or trips, consider limiting your involvement to decrease decision fatigue and stress. I’m not saying to be as little involved as possible; I’m saying to keep your schedule in mind. Communicate your or your family’s schedule with your professionals so everyone can work together when time is limited. Communicating who is involved helps your professional team streamline issues that come up. Consider who needs to be involved in the decision-making.
If someone is contributing to the renovation funds, it may be best to include them in the design process. They can attend design meetings or the first day of construction. The renovation could accommodate aging parents, so the space is designed around them and their needs. Including them in the design process would create a space for them, their needs, wants, and style. Every project is different, with different schedules and different professionals needed. Asking who should be involved helps everyone. Not everyone needs to be in the decision-making process. They can help provide feedback or support. Your interior designer can take most of the decision-making off your plate when it comes to product selections and narrowing down your options, allowing you to make confident decisions without having to sift through countless choices. Once the designer has limited the selections, you’ll approve them, ask questions, or seek alternatives. The designer provides the approved list to the professionals for execution, simplifying your life. Another part of the decision-making process is selecting the professionals.
Who should be on our project team? Discuss what professionals should be on your team. Interior designer, architect, contractor, builder, plumber, carpenter, brick mason, tiler, engineer, electrician, HVAC technician, painter, roofer, and landscape architect are a few examples of professionals you may want on your team for a project. List the types of professionals you want for your project to narrow down your selection. Different professionals are needed for different types of projects. I discussed a few things previously to keep in mind when selecting professionals for your project. If you don’t enjoy selecting materials, creating functional space, or keeping everything cohesive, consider hiring an interior designer. Because they understand your goals and vision, they can make selections and design decisions and get your feedback and approval, making your life easier. This makes your involvement simpler. An interior designer selects and creates for your project so you don’t have to sift through 1,000s of options. If you have already discussed who will be involved at this stage, that’s great. You may have family members who work in one of the fields above and want them to be on your team. Keep in mind that having family help on your project may add stress or delays. Setting expectations so everyone is aligned limits stress and delays.
Before investing in construction, let's make sure your project goals, scope, and design needs are aligned. A home project can be stressful, but having the right conversations beforehand helps make the experience more enjoyable. Remember, this is your home; it should be an enjoyable experience. Communication is a major factor when considering, planning, and preparing for a renovation. That communication should continue from beginning to end. It starts with discussing goals, budget, involvement, and who to select for your team. These conversations should be constructive and ensure that everyone is heard. The better the conversations, the better the experience you and your family will have during your project.
Are you considering a project or getting ready to start one? I’d love to discuss your vision and goals and help guide you through the design process, starting with those first conversations.