Are You Building or Remodeling? Here's Everything You Need to Know
This month at Liz Powell Design we are taking on a very hot topic – building and remodeling!
If you’re anything like us you probably know tons of people who are in the midst of either building or remodeling their homes. This is an enormous task, but luckily for you, we’re here to break down all the biggest topics into bite-sized bits of information. We hope you find this guide helpful and share it with anybody you know who might need it!
Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Contractor
Whenever you hire somebody to build or work on your home, it’s so important to understand their credentials. You never want to spend a ton of money on something as important as your house without being certain the workers are well qualified to do the work you’re asking them to do.
Here is a list of essential questions to ask your contractor before you hire them:
Are you licensed and insured? Licensing and bonding basically mean the contractor and their team are legally allowed to do work in your state and that you will be protected if the team fails to complete your home properly. Any good contractor should be able to provide you with proof of license and bonding quickly and easily.
How many projects are you currently working on? This will help you understand the scale of your contractor's team. If they are currently working on too many projects, your home project might be pushed to the back burner. However, if they say they aren’t currently working on any projects, you might want to dig deeper into the company and why they aren’t currently employed.
What is your role in the project? Will the general contractor be on site each day or will they oversee your project from afar? It is up to you how involved you want your contractor to be, but setting expectations before signing a contract is important.
Can you give me referrals from clients, subcontractors, and vendors? Verifying past experiences will help you know what to expect from your contractor before the project starts.
What is your typical timeline? Will you be able to work with my budget? When it comes to home projects, it’s so important to know how long they will take and how much they will cost. Obviously, there are always unforeseen roadblocks, but your contractor should always provide you with a timeline before the project begins.
How do you communicate with your clients? Knowing how best to reach your contractor will help you and them feel understood and listened to at all times.
Questions to ask yourself before starting a project
Taking on a new home build or renovation isn’t for everybody! It might seem like a fun project but you have to be really prepared for the unexpected to happen along the way. Before you make the decision to build or remodel ask yourself the following questions:
What is and what is not working in your current space?
What is your overall goal for the space?
What are your main priorities for the project?
How would you describe your style? What needs to be done to bring that style into your home?
Countertop Options
If you decide to take on a new build or remodel, congrats! Now let’s talk some details. One of the most impactful changes you can make in your home is with your countertops. They can transform your kitchen’s style so quickly! Two of the most popular countertop materials are marble and quartz.
Marble is a very timeless natural stone. It comes in many different colors and finishes and can look good almost anywhere. However, marble is also very expensive and susceptible to stains and scratches.
Quartz is a much more low-maintenance surface and comes in just about any style you can imagine. It is much more affordable than marble, but some people think quartz can look a little fake.
We have so many more thoughts on countertops, so be sure to look out for our email all about countertops later this month!
Flooring Options
Another hugely transformative change you can make to your home is flooring. Carpet is a very comfortable and cozy floor option. There are endless carpet finishes and colors, so you’re sure to find something perfect for your home. However, carpets can stain easily and requires a lot of care to keep it looking new and perfect. Carpet can also look cheap if not chosen or installed correctly.
Hardwoods are a timeless floor option and always add extra value to your home. The finish and wood tone you choose can reflect any home style. But hardwood floors are pretty expensive to install and require a good amount of maintenance to stay looking new.
In the end, your personal preferences are all that matter! Make sure the people you hire to work on your home are willing and able to make your home dreams come true. What other details would you like to know about building or remodeling a home? Let us know!
|With love, Liz
Was this Post helpful?
Try these!
