Having a Great Home Remodeling Experience
Remodeling your home can be one of the most rewarding projects your family can undergo. Renovating your kitchen into a usable, highly functional space is not only fulfilling for your family, but a new kitchen also drastically increases the home’s value. However, we’ve all heard of those horror stories of a countertop that cracked after a few months of use, or the contractor who accepted payment in advance and was never heard from again. We’ve all been there, so to make your renovation dreams come true with as little headache as possible, we’ve complied some helpful tips so you can have a great home remodeling experience.
First Time Remodeling Mistakes
If you’re a new home-owner or new to remodeling, here are a few common mistakes families make when taking on a project that you can be sure to avoid. One of the biggest mistakes people make is underestimating the cost of the renovation. Many homeowners will go online or call around to get the cost of materials, but don’t realize that the biggest expense is in labor. And furthermore, you will want to ensure you have extra funds for the unexpected expenses. And ask anyone, there are always unexpected expenses! Anyone who has remodeled the same room twice will agree that a big mistake new remodelers may make is trying to cut expenses on the materials. You must remember, you get what you pay for. It’s better to wait until you can afford the kitchen you want, rather than remodel for the sake of remodeling. And finally, a devastating mistake many homeowners make is hiring the wrong contractor. You must take the time to choose the best possible contractor out there because they will be in your home and around your family.
Selecting a Contractor
Consider a contractor like a quarterback. He takes direction from you, as a quarterback would from his coach, and directs his team of craftsman to follow through with the plays. Like a great quarterback, seeking a contractor with whom you can communicate openly is of the utmost importance. He needs to be able to understand the vision you are looking for in your renovation project and must relay that correctly to the rest of the crew. While selecting a contractor, you should keep these things in mind. No matter the referral or how low his quote comes in, if you are not completely comfortable with the contractor, do not hire him. Miscommunication of any kind can lead to expensive mistakes and delay the completion of your project. You will also want to confirm if the contractor you work with will subcontract with other businesses. You want to ensure that you are negotiating and dealing with the same person from day one. When interviewing your contractor, find out if they have a showroom. This validates credibility of the contractor and also allows you to visit the showroom to see samples and a tangible example of what your kitchen or bathroom can look like. And finally, ensure that the contractor has completed similar projects or the caliber of work before. You do not want your renovation project to be the contractor’s guinea pig. Furthermore, ask to see pictures of their work. This will give you a realistic idea of the contractor’s work.
References
- When working with a contractor you will want to ask for references to validate the level service the contractor provides. A few questions you may want to ask when speaking with a reference are:
- What kind of work did the contractor do for you? You want to ensure that you are comparing apples to apples when listening to their experience.
- What was it like working with the contractor’s crew? You want to make sure they were enjoyable and easy to work with. Remember, this crew will be in your home.
- Did the crew arrive when they said they would?
- Did the crew clean up after themselves? With most home renovations, you are still living within a work zone. A crew should always put away any dangerous materials or tools and manage safety precautions.
- Did your project get completed on budget? And if not, what happened that made the project more expensive? And did you incur any delays or major setbacks? Were you nickel & dimed as the project progressed?
- And finally, would you hire this contractor again. If they did not have a good experience with the contractor, there’s a good chance you won’t either.
Moving Forward
Now that you’ve selected a contractor, you are moving forward with your renovation project. Here are some helpful tips to guide you through the planning and execution of your remodeling project. While many contractors will ask for a deposit for a sign of good faith, you should never pay for the full project ahead of time. A good practice is to pay for the work as each step gets completed.
Planning the Layout
When you are designing the layout of your new kitchen or renovation project, keep in mind functionality of the space. A kitchen island is usable prep and work space while cooking and can double as a quick eating station for your family. Keep in mind that you want to maximize the space with what you need most for your lifestyle. This may be counter space for a family who loves to cook together, or cabinet space because you do not have a designated pantry. Discuss your ideas with your contractor or a design team if available.
Selecting Products
When you are working with a contractor that has a showroom, selecting products for your home remodeling project can be an enjoyable experience. Being able to hold and compare materials side by side will give you a tangible and realistic view of what your finished project will look like. Many showrooms will allow you to take samples home so you can review the products in the room against the correct lighting and backdrop. Here are some things to consider:
- Tile - Choose a floor tile that fits your family’s lifestyle. If you have a boisterous family, you will want to choose one that is more durable and resilient from cracks or chips. Porcelain tile is a more durable product that can typically be used indoors and outdoors. Porcelain tile is not-porous and frost proof. Spills will not penetrate the surface of a porcelain tile. Ceramic tile is made of less durable materials and is usually porous and not good for high traffic areas.
- Granite or Quartz - Make sure you determine your budget and stick to it. You can easily get sold on the look and luxury of the different kinds of granite and this is one way to quickly exceed your budget. Granite is a natural stone that comes from the earth. It is varied in styles and colors, no two stones are identical. A granite countertop is a beautiful look with very few draw backs. In comparison, a Quartz surface is the hardest product on the market and an antimicrobial surface. It is also a very durable and sustainable product. Unlike Granite, Quartz is a manmade product and not a completely unearthed material.
- Cabinets - Cabinetry can dominate the cost of a kitchen renovation. Make sure to choose wisely between finishes and different types of hardware selections.
Addressing any Problems
There are bound to be issues that arise when working on a renovation project. Make sure you get all pricing and job requirements outlined in writing. This way if there is a dispute between you and your contractor, you can refer to the contract. Remember to constantly communicate with your contractor, there’s no such thing as over communication.
Choose Alfano Renovations for Remodeling Your Home
Home Renovation projects, while extremely rewarding, can be one of the most stressful undertakings. At Alfano Renovations in NJ, we have over 20 years of hands on experience in the Monmouth County, NJ area. Our customers rave about our top notch workmanship, best in class products, and excellent customer care. In fact, most of our clients are repeat customers who originally worked with us for one renovation project and called us again year after year. Alfano Renovations has a showroom in Oakhurst, NJ which is open to the public 7 days a week. Our design team will work with you on a layout that is sure to generate neighbor envy and our technical team will confirm that all our designs are aesthetically and structurally sound. At Alfano Renovations in NJ, we have had 20 successful years of working with Monmouth and Ocean County residents on remodeling their home because of our customer centric approach.