Home renovations - What are the first steps?

[ncowan]

When deciding to do home renovations, what are the first steps?

Do you have a clear idea of what you want or is it acceptable to approach a contractor to give you ideas? I would expect the contractor to provide solutions but is it ok to

ask for suggestions?

Example: wanting to convert separate dining and living area to larger open area with fireplace. Where/how to reconfigure space with a possible new entrance.

Remember this is almost the pre-quote phase so there is no financial gain for the contractor at this stage

 

[sunshine_eggo]

1) Define what you want
2) Determine if permits are necessary
3) Accept input/revisions from at least 3 contractors and ensure you are comparing apples to apples.
4) Thoroughly research contractors and confirm valid licensing.
5) NEVER pay up front. Some may ask you to pre-pay for materials. This might be acceptable if materials are DELIVERED and STORED on site with payment following delivery. Otherwise, they aren't a robust enough outfit to carry the material costs.
6) Written contract with payables schedule. Recommend you never pay more than 50% prior to completion, i.e., they get their last 50% when complete and contract is fulfilled.

 

[faccnator]

I am a General Contractor. Find an architect you like and work with them to develop your idea and get it turned into drawings. Use the drawings to get bids from Contractors.

 

[Bob in Tucson]

I'll second talking with an architect who specializes in renovations if yours might benefit from the creative input of a pro.

 

[Shimmy]

It really depends on what kind of person you are and what kind of contractor you want to work with. (...and how much you want to spend.)

A design-build contractor can take care of everything, and give you a price (with caveats) up front. An architect might be better at helping you refine your vision so you ask a contractor specifically for what you want. Either way, you are still forced to make decisions and being slow or changing your mind increases cost.

In my area, getting a contractor to do work requires you to have a very well defined set of requirements; if you don't know what you want you will waste a lot of their time.

You can get a contractor to come out once for business development. If you want them to come a second time it will cost you (if you can even get them to do it). You will likely pay an architect up front to come out and look at things. Often times, paying someone helps establish credibility on your end, so it can be a good investment.

Last bit of information is to understand what specialties might be involved in your work. If you want to remove a load bearing wall that will require very different skills than moving a sink or installing a fireplace, and sometimes you will want a specialist and other times you try to get by with a generalist.

Oh, and from personal experience, don't confuse what a handyman does with what a general contractor does.

 

[D71]

define “renovation?”

Watch the movie “the money pit”

never know what renovations will uncover for more unexpected repairs and or codes violations that need fixed. Just something to consider.

I’ve flipped a few properties each one was different. 1 was a pita. Most others being flipped were straight forward. I did majority work myself.

Other ppl in your post have offered excellent advice.

 

[brandnewb]

Given this is a DIY forum I strongly advise against architects.
They'll burn through your budget like wildfire.
Also now we have the internet, we can all learn for there to make our own plans.
I did so anyway. And sure I screwed up at some points but the satisfaction of the DIY is worth it.

My advice would be is to first.
* asses the current situation. and how much would need to be done superficially to get where you want to get.
* Then inquire if your intended work is even allowed by the local code.
* if so now starts the hard part. in where we need to make guestimations of what needs to be done and how much it will cost.

I normally operate on a gut feeling basis after having done this for several years. In all these years I have had one bad project in where I just did not see things coming.

 

[Shimmy]

Given this is a DIY forum I strongly advise against architects.
They'll burn through your budget like wildfire.

The problem is that the question is about design and not execution. Specifically, conceptual design rather than applied design. I do agree that not having an idea up front will end up dramatically increasing what you spend on an architect though... but sometimes that is your only option.

I assume @ncowan is trying to improve the flow and utility of the home. That isn't always a get out a hammer and crowbar and see what happens kind of thing.

I'll be honest though... I have tried architects, designers, general contractors, landscape people, specialist contractors and all have failed my expectations. I can state the problem I want solved, but I cannot come up with a solution that works. I can come up with plenty of hair-brained solutions to various problems, but once it is outside my area of expertise I need someone else to help figure out a plan... along with a whole lot of analysis paralysis on my end. The only way I have seen people get what they want is by developing a relationship with both an architect and a contractor and work with them over time so you all know each others' quirks and capabilities. That is very hard.

 

[faccnator]

Indeed this is why I suggested the Architect. If you know exactly what you want then I’m all for doing it yourself or going straight to contractors.

The problem is that the question is about design and not execution. Specifically, conceptual design rather than applied design. I do agree that not having an idea up front will end up dramatically increasing what you spend on an architect though... but sometimes that is your only option.

I assume @ncowan is trying to improve the flow and utility of the home. That isn't always a get out a hammer and crowbar and see what happens kind of thing.

I'll be honest though... I have tried architects, designers, general contractors, landscape people, specialist contractors and all have failed my expectations. I can state the problem I want solved, but I cannot come up with a solution that works. I can come up with plenty of hair-brained solutions to various problems, but once it is outside my area of expertise I need someone else to help figure out a plan... along with a whole lot of analysis paralysis on my end. The only way I have seen people get what they want is by developing a relationship with both an architect and a contractor and work with them over time so you all know each others' quirks and capabilities. That is very hard.

 

[brandnewb]

I'll be honest though... I have tried architects, designers, general contractors, landscape people, specialist contractors and all have failed my expectations

yessss. yesss. that is why I have taken over and havwe designed my house and build it my self..

I want to make it clear that the municipality was a bit surprised to see an individual go at a build project him self.

So I got challenged...

So I got to work drawing every single column and beam everywhere.

It took me 3 months full time work.

Now I live in that house that I build step by step.

 

[brandnewb]

did I mention I am proud?

hahahhaha this is my life's work

 

[brandnewb]

It took me 3 months full time work.

the design stage I mean, in order to get a permit.. My house is sitll not fully constructed

 

[brandnewb]

somehow we have seem to have overlooked finances.

can you just buy or you need a middle man to help finance. and if so at what conditions.

Honestly I think this topic has far too many ifs, thens and buts

Beter to steer clear

 

[Matt.B]

It all depends how far down the decision making process you are.

It would be fine to ask them for ideas. They should have a better understanding of the possible after all and may offer solutions you haven't considered. Personally I would ask one around for a quote and say:

" I have X budget and I want Y outcome...what do you think the best way to do it would be?"

 

[ncowan]

Given this is a DIY forum I strongly advise against architects.
They'll burn through your budget like wildfire.
Also now we have the internet, we can all learn for there to make our own plans.
I did so anyway. And sure I screwed up at some points but the satisfaction of the DIY is worth it.

My advice would be is to first.
* asses the current situation. and how much would need to be done superficially to get where you want to get.
* Then inquire if your intended work is even allowed by the local code.
* if so now starts the hard part. in where we need to make guestimations of what needs to be done and how much it will cost.
https://mayflowerva.com
I normally operate on a gut feeling basis after having done this for several years. In all these years I have had one bad project in where I just did not see things coming.

thank you so much for your suggestion

 

[brandnewb]

1) Define what you want
2) Determine if permits are necessary
3) Accept input/revisions from at least 3 contractors and ensure you are comparing apples to apples.
4) Thoroughly research contractors and confirm valid licensing.
5) NEVER pay up front. Some may ask you to pre-pay for materials. This might be acceptable if materials are DELIVERED and STORED on site with payment following delivery. Otherwise, they aren't a robust enough outfit to carry the material costs.
6) Written contract with payables schedule. Recommend you never pay more than 50% prior to completion, i.e., they get their last 50% when complete and contract is fulfilled.

I see now that I just repeated some of what you said.

I miss you sunshine. let's bury the hatchet