Tips for determining your remodeling “must-haves”.

Posted by Ben Thompson on 10.11.15

So you’re ready to remodel your home or maybe you are thinking about it. Great! One of the first things we like to discuss with our clients is their remodeling “must-haves”, the features, specific materials, or aesthetics that must be included in their design. Every homeowner has a mental list of “must haves” and it’s important to flesh out this list with your remodeler before you get started on your design. Here are some questions designed to get you thinking about what you should include on your own list.

  1. What problems are you experiencing in your existing home? Examples could be: not enough room for entertaining, lack of storage, not enough natural light, too small for your growing family, or accessibility issues for an aging family member. These problems can lead you to certain “must-haves” such as windows or skylights, an oversized kitchen island, or removal of walls. Your remodeler will want to explore these issues with you to make sure that their design will solve your problems.
  2. How long do you plan to live in this home? This will drive design in a big way. You and your remodeler will want to look at what your household looks like today and how it will evolve and change during the time you plan to live in the house. Just a few things to consider are: the age of your children, will your family be growing, will kids be moving out, will you be retiring, or caring for a parent or other family member.
  3. What materials or selections are non-negotiable? This can be anything from hardwood floors, brushed nickel door handles, or a specific refrigerator. Nearly every homeowner has a few of these that are either driven by your personal design aesthetic or the existing materials in your home. Remodelers will expect you to have them; so don’t be shy in letting them know what they are.
  4. What is your budget range for this project? Setting a budget for your remodel can be difficult when you don’t know exactly how much it costs to do what you want. That’s where meeting with a professional remodeler comes in. After they meet with you, understand your goals for your remodel, and see the conditions of your existing home, they should be able to provide you with a reasonable budget range. Having a range comes in when you are looking at options. The price differential can vary widely between material selections and specific structural details that add character or interest will affect your final project cost.

We hope these questions have helped you to start compiling your list of remodeling “must-haves”.   When you are ready to explore the possibilities, please call Thompson Remodeling to schedule a consultation. Together we can create a home to better fit your life so you can love where you

Topics: Thompson Tips, remodeling, Thompson Remodeling