Every remodeling project must begin with a list of priorities that are clearly understood and shared amongst everyone working on the project . Begin by clarifying what you are trying to accomplish by renovating . Are you trying to:
- Provide additional living space?
- Increase the value of your house before trying to sell ?
- Provide for the needs of a growing family?
- Make all or part of your home more accessible to people with special needs (the elderly or disabled )?
- Integrate your work into your living environment with a home office ?
Whatever needs you are trying to meet or goals you are trying to accomplish should be clearly understood and you must be prepared to explain your needs and plans to an architect, contractor, home designer , or others. It is easily possible to find out that you are trying to accomplish many things at once . In this case, you will want to set priorities among your goals. What are the most important things you are trying to get done ? Then consider your plan or design , and set priorities for components of the design. For example, your goal may be to create additional space for another child in the family. But you might also be planning ahead to a place for your in-laws later on in the future . The most important priorities might be:
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(1) a space that is large enough for both uses
(2) to provide lots of natural light in the room
(3) to have easy access to a bathroom, and
(4) to control the temperature in the room with a separate thermostat.
The Major Costs for Remodeling
Each of the categories below will help you comprehend everything that is required in a remodeling project so you can make the choice on how you are most likely to proceed. You will need to note how many of the projects you would like to undertake yourself and how many you want to hire out in order to complete the Remodel or Move Calculator. Specifically, you will need to decide if you want to do the designing yourself or hire a designer , if you want to want to do the work of a project manager or hire a general contractor , and if you want to do some of the construction work.
The following is a list of the primary tasks essential in medium to large remodel projects. To estimate the cost of your remodel project and to determine if you want to renovate at all, it is helpful to understand these terms, how they impact the renovation process and if there are any that you would want to take on and do the work yourself.
- Management and oversight
- Design (architecture and engineering if necessary)
- Permits (issued by the county and/or city after approval of the project )
- Site Prep and Demolition
- Foundation work (usually poured concrete walls or slab )
- Framing (the structure for the floor, walls , ceiling and roof )
- Electrical
- Plumbing
- Heating and Air Circulation and Filtration
- Interior and exterior surfaces (sheet rock inside, siding, and shingles )
- Finish flooring (hardwood, carpet, tile)
- windows and doors
- Cabinets, fixtures, appliances
- Finish work (baseboards, painting and trim )
- Your first open house party (drinks, food, entertainment)
