Like any project a person begins (buying a car, figuring out where to go on vacation, etc), a certain amount of research work is needed to find the right item which also fits your budget.  Home Renovation is certainly no different.

Most homeowners start construction projects without figuring out all the details and then their budgets easily run over and their timeline is blown.  This happens in both Do-It-Yourself and contracted projects – where architects and contractors are hired to define and build the work.  But why does this happen even when professionals are hired to help? 

Professionals offer many different levels of service.  An architect/engineer/designer is generally hired to provide a set of drawings to your municipality to obtain the building permit.  But a set of drawings that only covers  the “Life Safety Issues” (fire-rated walls, required exits out of the home, etc) that gets you your permit, doesn’t include the detail needed for a successful project in the field. 

By hiring your architect to provide a more detailed set of drawings, you ensure that your project will stay more on track financially.  The contractors will know the level of finishes that they will need to install and give a more accurate bid.  You will become aware of the costs of your finish materials (backsplash tile, wood floors, soaking tub) and make sure they fall within your budget before any work is done.  Make sure the details are there for EVERYTHING.  For example when specifying kitchen cabinets you need to define: wood type, door profile, drawer glides, door pulls and pull location, stain and poly finish, cabinet layout with  appliances, when the doors are closed are they flush within the cabinet frame or do they sit forward of the frame, etc.  The most important thing a homeowner needs to do is define the details.

Become involved in your project as much as possible to keep costs down.  Show magazine pictures to help designers understand what look you want.  Get application forms from the city to submit drawings for permit and take the drawings to the building department yourself.  Price materials and get a sense of the costs to see if they are within your budget early in the design process.  Get things highly defined and planned well before any work begins.  This will prevent any unforeseen change orders, that can add to the cost of a job.

Your due diligence will keep your project on budget and finished on time. 

Karyl Doran

Dwell Development