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Four Phases of Remodeling: #4 – Are we there yet?

customer and her daughter in their oak park kitchen

Your tile is set, the cabinets are installed, and the addition breakthrough is complete. The renderings you’ve been studying for months are coming to life before your eyes. The end is in sight, but Normandy Designer Maury Jones says that this final phase of remodeling is when your patience will truly be tested.

“This is the phase of remodeling that tends to have tempers flare up more than any other time,” says Maury. “When the end of your remodel starts to become clear, it’s harder to wait for those final trade partners to do their last jobs, and even minor delays can be unbearably frustrating. Now is the time to channel your inner Zen, or at least stop yelling at the dog for their muddy paws.”

The trade partners still have a lot of things to do in this final phase of remodeling, but many of them are smaller in scale, and you may find yourself tiring of their presence. You wouldn’t be the first person who’s tempted to push the last of them out the door prematurely, potentially to your own detriment. “Once you get to about the 90% mark in your remodel, take the time to do a thorough walk through with your Superintendent to review anything that’s still outstanding or needs attention,” notes Maury. “This is the perfect time to discuss the details of your project’s warranty, too, as reputable contractors will stand behind their work.”

But don’t start unpacking your fine china quite yet. “Hold off on moving personal effects back in until you’ve been given the green light by your Superintendent, especially if you’re still waiting for the final construction cleaning. It will be worth the wait, I promise,” Maury says.

Just like a ribbon cutting, once your home is complete, it’s time to show it off. “After feeling displaced and living through construction for several months, seeing your remodel come to a close is exhilarating,” says Maury.  Gush over your new space, you deserve it. “Don’t be shy,” Maury says, “share photos, throw a party, and invite over the neighbors. You made some great decisions to create a home that’s sure to be the envy of the neighborhood, you’ve earned the right to be proud.”

Now that it’s all over, you can look back and see how far you’ve come. You found the perfect partner for your project, developed inspired floorplans and elevations, made selections for details big and small, lived through construction and an erratic rollercoaster of emotions, not to mention the dust, debris, and dumpsters. Finally, your new room or addition is finished. You are now officially ready to live happily ever after… or maybe you’re sad it’s over. Perhaps you had more fun than you thought and already have plans for your next project. Remodeling can be addictive after all, and there are likely more rooms in your house that are now getting a second look. All in good time.

Does this sound like a wild ride that you’d love to experience? Give Maury or one of our designers a call to start the discussion of your remodeling project. Envision yourself in a new spacious kitchen, see your loved ones laughing in the addition of cozy family room, or settle into the feeling of a delicious spa-like bathroom. If you need help with that visualization, follow us on Facebook and Instagram where we showcase our completed renovations.

Four Phases of Remodeling: #3 – What Were We Thinking

Zipper barrier walls during home renovationThe dumpsters are in your driveway, your floors are covered in protective plastic and your walls…aren’t there anymore. Your home is now officially a construction zone and it’s not quite what you envisioned. Normandy Designer Bill Peterson says this is exactly what you can expect during the most unexpected phase of remodeling.

“Demo is exciting and cathartic,” says Bill. Out with the old to make room for the new. “Though, for some this phase can be extremely challenging. It will be disruptive. When you sit with your Superintendent during the pre-construction meeting, make sure to speak up and voice any concerns you might have with how the building phase will proceed. For instance, if your family has pets, you should discuss ways to keep them safe during construction,” suggests Bill.

Demolition is quite loud and messy, so if you work from home or have young children in the house, it’s a good idea to schedule some time away from home in those first few days if you can.

The overall home renovation timeline is probably going to be much longer than you have in mind. That’s not your fault, you’ve been conditioned. Popular renovation shows you’ve watched for years make it seem as though an entire house can be flipped in a month, a full kitchen remodel done in a weekend. That’s just not possible, especially if you want quality work that will last for years and years.

Demolition phase of construction“This is true reality, not a reality show. Unfortunately, many of those quick flips done on HGTV programs are unrealistic and edited for TV,” says Bill. “Frustration is sure to set in if your expectations aren’t aligning with the progress in your home.”

Progress may seem slower than you would like as you’re waiting for the next trade to arrive. When they’re there, the work they’re doing seems tedious and everything is moving so slowly. At this point you and your spouse may be at each other’s throats, you may be yelling at the dog, and you just want this over already.

“This is not an extreme makeover with every trade working side by side in your house at the same time,” Bill reminds us. “There is a planned hierarchy to the schedule and a process of who gets in first. Certain steps need to be completed before the next tradesman can start.”

“If you’ve hired a design-build firm that only uses trade-specific folks who are experts in their field, you won’t see much overlap in labor,” Bill states. “If Bob and Sons come out to run the plumbing, that’s all they’re there to do, and they’ll do it well. They don’t also dabble in carpentry and won’t be hanging drywall.”

Remember, you are not alone in the process. “A thorough project Superintendent will keep you updated on progress being made and any delays they anticipate,” says Bill.

“Having realistic expectations will help with the frustrations of a remodel. Going into this process, you should expect it will be stressful. Some find this to be exhilarating, watching a teardown and the whole construction process of a rebuild,” says Bill.

home renovation progressLots of deep breaths will help, plus a good understanding that this is the typical process. “Keep reminding yourself of the end game and channel the mantra: ‘We’re making progress, this is good.’ Soon, the project will be complete, and you will be overcome with all the emotions. You will be able to run your hand over your new quartzite countertop, you will serve meals in your newly added dining room. It will be yours, and it will be worth it. Joy, excitement, and relief will replace all the ups and downs from the months of construction and mess,” Bill assures. The final phase is the big reveal.

If you’re ready to ride the remodeling coaster, give Bill or one of our designers a call. We’ll buckle in with you and make sure the experience is a positive one. In the meantime, review some our favorite projects in the gallery or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

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