Are you thinking about remodeling? Are you considering tackling a project in your home sometime soon?
I’m a keen proponent of remodeling in a big way; in a way that transforms your life and makes you love your home. I’ve said it before: After all the dust settles, and you’ve gone to all the trouble and expense of living through the experience, you want to feel like how you live in your home has truly changed. You want to feel that it all works better, that your issues and problems with the space have been resolved, and that everything you selected makes you smile. You know what I’m getting at: that it was all worth it!
However, there are always little (and not so little) things to consider, cost-wise, when you start to budget for your project.
Don’t ever think that a contractor is just going to throw in that little bit of extra work you want to add midway through a job; you know, just because he’s nice, and he’s there working anyway, and it’s just one more wall to paint, or two more electrical outlets, or whatever.
This isn’t how things happen. And if you find a contractor who does work this way, please send me their name and number. Thx. ;-)
The best way to make sure your project has everything you want/need planned into it before work begins is to create a scope, either with a designer or by yourself. Because believe me...
If something you want done isn’t in the scope, it won’t be in the price.
Don’t assume that... just because you tell your contractor you want the room painted he’s going to automatically know you want to retexture the walls and do the ceiling too. Because he most certainly won’t.
Don’t think that… just because you meant to tell your contractor that you want to add some can lights, but forgot, that he’ll just go ahead and throw them in when you suddenly remember to mention it on down the road.
I’ve listed a few items down below that I think people most often forget to mention they want done within the scope they give their designer/contractor. They are items that are often overlooked, certainly worth doing, but definitely come at an additional cost (sometimes significant).
1) Texture
You might want to look at the wall and ceiling texture. These days, we’re mostly doing smoother finished walls, and knocking down a heavy texture on walls can get pricey and time consuming if you want it to be done all over or in several rooms.
2) Mouldings and trim
Take a look at the mouldings. Are they dated, overdone, or perhaps you want to add to them? Modifying your mouldings can add cost but can also make a big difference if you want to adjust the style of your space.
These uber traditional mouldings in a suburban home are a bit over the top. I have many clients that choose to simplify moulding details these days. Allow a portion of the budget to cover that if you are considering changing them out.
3) Electrical outlets and switches
If you have old, dated, yellowed outlets and switches, you might want to change those out throughout a room, or even relocate or add to what you have. Electrical needs have changed dramatically in homes, and a remodel is a good time to update for your lifestyle needs.
4) Existing can lights
Changing out incandescent lighting for LED can lights is something a lot of homeowners are doing. LED is the way of the future, and although it's a bigger investment at the get-go, they last for almost 30 years. And, over time, they can dramatically lower your electrical bill.
5) Windows
If you don’t have UV protection or insulated glass, putting in new windows or applying window film on top of your existing windows are good investments to consider. My family never considered getting new windows for our house – although we hated the single pane ones we had – until we invested in our beautiful new oak floors. THEN, every time the sun streaked across them, I flinched! I couldn’t stand the thought of UV rays ruining my beautiful floors! Thousands of dollars later, we have new windows. :-/
6) New vent covers:
While you can just change them out for fresher, new models, you might want to think about a few special ones if they are in an obvious location, or if the style of the room calls for it.
These paintable wood covers disappear more into a painted wall surface and have a nice, clean look.
Sometimes, something more decorative might be in order.
Decorative ventcovers
A decorative vent cover was used in this remodel, as the vent had to be located above the door and it was truly front and center on the wall. At least now, it has a pretty cover that makes it look intentionally designed. Carla Aston, Designer
7) Interior doors and door hardware
Are your doors a little beat up? Are they flat when you want paneled? Are they painted when you want wood? Whatever the change may be, interior doors and hardware can put a big ding in your budget if you consider changing them out. Again, it’s a good idea to allow for that, up front, if you think you might want to consider a change.
These are two of my fave transitional door levers.
New French doors as an entry to a garden room off the kitchen were done in this project. Love the transitional style of the doors and the hardware.
We did new interior 5 panel doors and hardware in this whole house remodel.
Do you have any other suggestions?
If so, leave a comment below! ;-)