Anatomy of a Remodel – Continous Oversight and Management
Written on August 23, 2010 by Monica D. Higgins
YIKES! I just realized that I never got around to posting the last piece of the Anatomy of a Remodel puzzle.
So, what does it mean for you to manage a remodeling project? Well, for one thing, it means doing so before construction begins …once you’ve made the decision to remodel. On going daily project management and budget oversight makes sure your project is completed on time and on budget.
Keep in mind that whatever your vision, your vision will drive every aspect of your remodel. Think of your vision like the sun and every aspect of your remodel as the rays. Here are some rays to consider:
Budget
Space planning
Team of remodeling pros to make it happen
Home improvement contract
Paint colors (yes, paint colors)
Process
Each of these rays need to be managed so you avoid a remodeling ’sunburn’.
What’s A Construction Manager and What Do They Do?
Written on August 4, 2010 by Monica D. Higgins
The next time you drive by a new office building that’s going up, think about all the pieces of that puzzle that have to come together and all the people involved with that project: The owner, developer, financing groups… then the architects, designers & engineers… Don’t forget the maze of city zoning and other government regulation. Only after all of this is completed do the contractors and tradesmen come into the picture. And all of this has to be coordinated to meet strict timelines and unforgiving budgets.
For the owners of that building, time IS money. They are making sure, through the whole process, that not a dime of their money is being wasted, that the schedule is adhered to, that everyone is doing their job. That’s why they have a construction manager (aka project manager) from day one to oversee all of the details.
That’s what I do… I’m a construction manager…only for homeowners like you.
A construction manager acts as the owner’s representative, in other words, the owner’s eyes and ears. Construction managers are invaluable to the success of a remodeling project because supervision of a remodeling project is key. Even if you have carefully prepared plans coupled with keen attention to detail during construction, using a construction manager from the start of your project (i.e. pre-design) through completion will ultimately help ensure your remodeling project gets done right, on time and on budget.
Don’t Expect Your Contractor To Be Psychic
Written on July 15, 2010 by Monica D. Higgins
I’ve always said that remodeling projects are like art or law…subject to interpretation, if your vision is not clear. Well, home improvement contracts can also be subject to interpretation, if they are not clear (i.e. specific and detailed).
Don’t expect those you engage in the remodeling process to be psychic. It’s very important for you to clearly articulate what you envision in order to create realistic solutions that meet the objectives and budget of your project, ensure the interpretation of your vision is just as you envision it and avoid costly unnecessary change orders.
Let’s say you are looking to remodel your kitchen. So, you jot down what you envision for your kitchen, say…new cabinets, granite countertops, a pantry, counter-depth refrigerator and more prep space, just to name a few.
Now imagine taking your vision and creating a final product. Based on what you just jotted down, would you be completely comfortable signing a home improvement contract and starting construction? I hope not, because at this point in the process your vision is not specific and detailed enough.
Before you sign a contract with a contractor, make sure you get clear on your vision. Only when you have thoroughly detailed your vision in writing (preferably via construction documents with detailed specifications to obtain permits and comprehensive instructions to the contractor), understand the contract and agree to the terms, should you then sign a home improvement contract.
According to the State Contractors Licensing Board a home improvement contract should :
- Contain everything agreed upon by the consumer and contractor.
- Detail the work, price, when payments are made, who gets the necessary permits, and when the job will be finished.
- Identify the contractor, give their address and contractor license number.
- Have warnings and notices about the right to cancel, mechanic’s liens, and permissible delays.
Having a clear vision, clearly articulating your vision to your project team AND having your contractor and EVERY other member of your project team interpret your vision just a you intended is the foundation to a successful remodeling project. That way you leave nothing to chance.
Permits or No Permits?…That is the question.
Written on July 3, 2010 by Monica D. Higgins
Have you ever seen a home for sale with a room that was not permitted? Most likely the sellers attempted to complete an addition in the name of ‘saving money’ without obtaining the requisite permits, inspections and documentation.
What they didn’t know is that they would most likely end up paying more money in the long run in order to have the city sign off on the room. By not obtaining the requisite permits, inspections and documentation the sellers cheated themselves out of the increased value to their home, because in the city’s eyes if an addition is not permitted the space does not exist.
It does not make sense to spend money on a ‘phantom room’. So, if you are going to remodel, do it right to avoid problems down the line by obtaining the requisite permits, inspections and documentation.
The safety of building occupants is the primary reason for having building codes and permits are the way cities help ensure construction on your home complies with those building codes and are safe. Building permits are typically required for any home improvement, repair, alteration, construction or demolition project. Check your local building ordinances for details about building code requirements in your city.
Note that there are some instances in which adjusting your plans so permits are not required makes sense. For example, in the city where I live the following are exempt from building permits:
•Fences not over 6 feet high
•Retaining walls which are not over 4 feet in height, measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall
So, when I had my back yard re-landscaped, I purposely decided to have a garden wall built (i.e. < 4 ft in height) to take advantage of the exemption.
Whatever remodeling project you decide to pursue, make sure your contractor pulls permits, if required. If a contractor asks you to pull your own permits, find a different contractor. Why? Because a contractor is more qualified and better prepared than most homeowners to navigate the permitting process and respond to building department questions which in turn saves you time, money and stress.
Remodeling Costs – The Good, The Bad and The Unexpected
Written on June 15, 2010 by Monica D. Higgins
The unexpected generates budget busting surprises for remodeling homeowners. Why? Because while remodeling homeowners expect HARD costs, costs associated with actual construction like plumbing, framing and trim, most of them overlook SOFT costs.
So, what are soft costs? Soft costs are the other non-physical costs involved in the completion of your remodeling project which include but are not limited to professional fees such as architectural and engineering fees, permitting, etc.
I know what you are thinking…’Great, how much do I budget for each of these costs?’ When budgeting for soft costs a good rule of thumb is the ‘20% to 29% rule’. For every $10,000 in hard remodeling costs, budget $2,000 to $2,900 in soft remodeling costs as follows:
Architect/Designer – 10% to 15%
Consultants – 6% to 8%
- Structural
- Surveyor
- Soils
- Geo-Technical
- HVAC
- Energy
Permits/Entitlements– 4% to 6%
- Planning / Zoning
- Building & Safety
- Public Works
- Other
While every remodeling project does not require all of these items, the wider the scope of work (i.e. the more bells and whistles you want), the more likely you’ll need to consider more of these items.
