We’re back with another round of the FAQ’s of Renovation!
If you haven’t read the rest of our posts in this series, make sure to go back and read them here: Contractors and Designers 101 + Getting started + Working with a designer.
We’ve loved hearing from you and answering some of your questions – we’re slowly but surely whittling away and can’t wait to address them all as we go.
Once you’ve gone through the process of picking your designer/contractor/whatever-combo-you-decide-to-go-with, you’ll move into the actual bid or estimate stage of the process. Your designer and contractor will work together in some cases, and separate in others in order to provide you with an estimate for the cost of the project. We’ll get into that in greater detail, later.
This is generally the point in the design and renovation process that we like to call the “reality check” phase. That part where visions and big dreams collide with, well, reality. We’re shooting straight today, {as we always do with our clients} because remember we’ve lived through one ourselves. So here’s a few things we think you should know.
TV Land and social media
Our favorite statements/questions:
“…fill-in-the-blank-tv-star took on an entire home renovation for only $50,000”
and “they said on social media, it was a weekend project, that wouldn’t cost much.”
Hopefully, we aren’t the bursters of the proverbial oblivion bubbles but when taking on a renovation, what you see on TV and all things social media isn’t how it works out in real life. I think that as a society, we’ve reached a saturation level with all things projects, which has had a direct influence on our expectations. It’s time to step back and take a breather, because sometimes it can be really easy to get sucked into an alternate reality. As a whole, we’ll have a much more enjoyable renovation process when we realize that TV land operates on a script and that social media doesn’t tell you the entire story.
We won’t be able to take on an entire house renovation during a commercial break. It’s just not how the real world works. What you see on TV is for entertainment value only. I know this shouldn’t come as a shock, but in a lot of ways, it along with social media, has ruined people’s thinking on how long a project should take and what it actually costs.
The point of this post isn’t to poopoo on either of those platforms, because we love a good glass of wine and some home improvement shows. But we take very little seriously on those shows. If they showed you the truth, it wouldn’t be entertainment, would it? And when it comes to social media, how can you depict the whole truth in a picture or two and a limited caption? Ahhh the magic of editing on both platforms. They are great for inspiration, though.
So keep your feet grounded in reality remembering that there’s a lot of background editing and magic behind your favorite show, with a budget and a team for that one episode you love that’s probably larger than your annual household income for a few years. Again, it’s entertainment. And good entertainment at that. But not something we should set our standards to in the pricing or timing categories. And on all things social media… I’m sure they’ve had their moments of bereaved planking, themselves.
So if you’ve done your research and found a good designer or contractor, trust them when they say it’s going to cost “X” amount to complete the project. If you have specific expectations, question why they are what they are, and their origins. Be open to the people you’re hiring, with good reason. {Clearly, you can always get multiple quotes, and more on that in the previous posts – but if it’s a legit quote, realize that it is what it is for a reason.}
It’s messy
You’ve seen the renovation pictures and videos, but maybe you’ve never lived through a renovation. Generally, we find most of our clients’ experience has been from the comfy confines of the sofa, or contained to the computer screen. We often suggest that if they want a good idea of what a renovation is really like, to simply lay in a dirt field and ask about four 6 year olds to run circles around them for a couple minutes. Kidding, but not really.
Okay, it’s not that bad. But it’s messy. With walls coming down, floors coming up and a whole host of other demolition type things happening, there’ll be more dust than you can shake a stick at. We didn’t even bring the camera in our own home when the demo was hot and heavy because of all the dust. So be ready for it.
Why are we bringing this up? With all the mess that will be created, it’s wise to think through your living situation, which will be determined partly by how big the project is. Every situation is different, but if you’re doing an entire house it’s wise to move out and to a different location if at all possible. Otherwise you might be forced to go room by room, which is not only less than fun, but can also drive up the price by breaking up the work. And again, the dust. There are major health concerns when it comes to all things demo.
If you’re only renovating a portion of the house, you could more feasibly stay in the home and take some measures to protect the rest of the house. Although no matter how much you protect the living space, it will inevitably creep in. Also, if you stay in the home and are having to run the HVAC unit, be sure to check the filter weekly and replace as needed. It will obviously be working overtime, so be sure to check said filter the day after big demo days, as it might need to be replaced once the dust settles.
There will be delays
Back to that making it happen during the commercial break part – In all construction projects there are always delays. In new builds, days are often built into the schedule to account for delays whether it’s rain, supply, or work delays. In renovations, these same days are built in, but until you start pulling everything apart, you really never know what you’re getting into. If you start renovating a bathroom and discover an old water leak, this will obviously add some new work days to your project. Some delays, like discovering rotted joists or a poor foundation, can add weeks.
Even in the best case scenarios where you discover nothing wrong, there can still be delays. For example, we’re currently living in a trade worker shortage here in Nashville and some trades are booked months out. Finding good workers can be a huge challenge and delay the project, which creates days where it seems to stand still. You might also run into a codes issue: either the work wasn’t done right and the inspector is making you fix it, or codes department has some crazy hoops to jump through to get the permits.
In a renovation, you simply have to roll with the punches and take it all in stride. And although it might seem like the delay doesn’t bother your contractor or designer as much, let me assure you it does. It’s just that they’ve seen it before and have learned the patience it takes to move the project along.
So expect delays. And hopefully, be pleasantly surprised if you don’t have any.
You might cry and want to punch someone and that’s okay
Yes, there might come a time when someone will cry and want to punch someone and that’s ok. Building and renovations can be hard and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. But they are oh so rewarding! This is one of the major reasons it’s wise to hire a professional to help you out.
Having a team by your side will reduce the risk of stress and it helps to have people in your corner that can help you work through the issue. And then point you to the wall where you can draw a picture of the person on and punch it {because that wall is coming out anyway}.
Things happen, and it’s good to have some people on your team to help you process them and find solutions.
It’s probably going to cost more than you budget
Your contractor and designer are going to do their best to keep you on budget. But it’s good to plan to spend 10% more on the project, hoping not to. Trust us on this one.
The extra expense might come from fun little discoveries about the home during the project. Or change orders because you budgeted for one light, but then fell in love with another one outside your budget. Really, there are a host of reasons the cost might go up. Some under your control, others not so much. Just know that the estimate that you’re given on the front end is just that: an estimate.
Building is a living organism and things change.
Hopefully, you discussed this in your contract talks as we suggested in an earlier post. ;}
Renovating is a blast and completely worth everything you might endure, but it’s so much more fun and rewarding when you have the right perspective. That can be hard to do, but it’s smart to have a reality check before that first hammer flies.
Check out post five {the differences between estimate and budget} here.
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Here’s to flying hammers and reality checks… all the good kind.
{Pssst: And if you’re in the Nashville area don’t forget we offer in-house design services paired with general contracting services, no matter your project size we can handle it. This format creates an even smoother flow in the process and helping attain what you want in your home. Contact us today if you’re interested… we can’t wait to help you love where you dwell. And of course, as always, we are still taking on design clients worldwide.}
Gail says
Thanks. I have some things that need done and I am not real patient. Will have to bite my tongue.
Sella Davis says
Hi Jamin,
Wao, that was a thorough journey through the process of renovation. You are right! A building is a living organism and things change. Our house too needs renovations. My husband and I are planning to get everything redone with a new plan.
But we will have to call in a demolition service first here in NY. I am sure they will handle everything perfectly well and I hope to great a great house built then 🙂 + I will definitely carry my camera to build on memories 🙂
Regards,
Sella