Creating your dream remodel – a kit
By Patrice Jamison
Kitchen and bathroom remodeling is generally acknowledged as having the best rate of return on investment. But let's be honest–most of us don't renovate for the long-term financial gain–we renovate our home to create a more enjoyable living space.
When I set out to remodel, with all the details and the length of time it involves, I like to remember it's about the advantages that a new kitchen or bathroom brings, not the work it takes to get there.
From the design to the budget, to finding an installer, to fixtures and finishings and to the actual installation process, many factors will bring unique challenges. Here are only a couple to consider:
- are you living in the house?
- how long can you go without the room while it's being renovated?
So I try to keep an open mind to new ideas and lots of lists to keep myself on track.
Keep up the fun factor
Having fun with your remodel, for me, is all about planning. A good plan keeps the disruption to a minimum and results in a design I'll love. This is the reason Clear Cut asked me to create this design kit: so you can have more fun and a better remodel experience.
So, without further ado, take step one.
Kit Step 1: An outline in 3 parts
Outlining the project gives you the three key elements with which to go forward: a preliminary design, a more or less fixed budget, and an installation procedure.
Phase 1 - Rough out your design with pictures, drawings and research: put it in a book
I start by getting a notebook or sketchpad and a pencil. I'll draw floorplans; I'll tape in pictures and articles; I'll make lists; I'll add up budgets; and I'll keep it all in one place! Now you're set to start.
Design ideas
Start with the people who use the room that you're remodeling. Write down their needs, concerns and ideas. Talk to your family and friends. They've often been in the room and know what they like and what they'd want to change to make it nicer for them.
You could visit your neighbors who may have already renovated similar rooms.
I take our needs and then add mostly ideas, drawings, pictures and research I find in books, magazines, and on the internet.
Designers are also a great option. Ask around–even a few hours of consultation with a local designer can save you many hours of research.
Drawings, pictures and lists
To start, drawings needn't be fancy 3D CAD mockups–a pencil and graph paper work great too. Even an early rough drawing will quickly help you see the potential of your room.
There are great DIY books on design that include tutorials on making drawings. Collecting drawings from online resources that are similar to your kitchen layout is also useful.
Beware of "free" internet design software. They either need a "for fee" upgrade or only let you use the products they sell. For this reason, be prepared to buy some software if you go the DIY route. Computer retailers are an excellent resource for this kind of software. Some of the new software looks pretty good, so buy new.
Most installers, like Clear Cut, do their own final drawings. If you're pursuing this option you will save time and can skip the final drawings stage.
Pictures
Magazine articles are fast, inexpensive ways of seeing "what's new". They are especially good at featuring designer trends. The web also has excellent ideas. Print the pictures from the website, clip the magazine article, and add them to your design book.
Starting lists
I have enough to keep track of, so the great thing about lists is that I can add, subtract and update at any time and they keep my projects on track, not to mention the delight in checking off a deliverable!
I start with:
Take the measurements of your room, including doors and windows, fixtures like lights and electrical outlets; indicate plumbing locations. Accuracy helps here. You'll be surprised the difference an inch can make later on, so take your time. Personally, I'm a big fan of "measure twice" so my husband and I double check my measurements and often I go back a day or two later and check again.
If you are using an installer, he or she will take their own measurements. It doesn't hurt to check their measurements against yours.
What about the features you want in your renovation? Make a list of the functions you need and want. Don't be afraid to add or subtract from your list as time goes on. In my last kitchen I had a cappuccino maker that went on and off the list many times. In the end I didn't install it, neither I nor my installer could make it work... financially. Which brings us to:
Element 2 - Plan a budget
The money for your renovation can come from many sources. The two most popular options are money you already have available and financing from the bank. With the banks, a line of credit backed by the capital in your house is a low cost option. Indeed, today's low interest rates are perhaps too tempting.
A new option is offered by Clear Cut for remodels from $1,000 to $25,000 through their SAWDAC affiliation. This low cost financing option is offered with an up to 15 year repayment term. Talk to your Clear Cut sales designer for more information.
Many projects find that costs grow more than planned and the project takes longer than expected, so in DIY, a reserve funding of 15% is a good idea.
If you're using an installer, they will, of course, work to the budget you assign.
Element 3 - DIY or installer, bids and proposals
You've gathered your hopes and dreams, you made some good lists and you've got your budget. Now, do you do it yourself, subcontract, or have an installer like Clear Cut do the work for you?
To DIY, you need tools, expertise and time. The advantage is, of course, you can save some of the labour cost.
Subcontracting lets you do some of the work and uses professionals to speed up other aspects. I will say DIYers should always use licensed electricians and plumbers.
If you go with an installer, your costs are more controllable, the work should be done with less interruption to your household, their experience helps create a better design, and the work is done by an accredited professional (safeguarding your family).
Certainly with Clear Cut, you get top quality finishing and you receive a 10 year no-quibble installation guarantee.
Choosing an installer
Shop around and get proposal bids from several contractors. Ask questions and define terms so you can accurately compare the services provided. Remember, each builder can quote different quality of materials to significantly alter the price. This means you can go with the builder that offers the best of what you need and modify your plan to meet your budget. And don't be afraid, if one bid seems low, to double check the materials used.
Clear Cut, like most installers, has done many beautiful kitchen and bath renovations. Their experience and quality suppliers will give them an advantage when it comes to maximizing the value you receive from a kitchen or bath remodel. Clear Cut also has a very good install crew–another advantage to their installation team.
Kit Step 2
Building a fixtures and finishes kit
The idea behind a fixtures and finishes kit is that you put samples into a "box". Then, as you finalize your design, you can put all the elements together and double check that they work better for your needs and design.
I call it a "box" because I used to use leftover shipping boxes to hold all my design finishes.
For more on your fixtures and finishes kit, see my next article, "Building a fixtures and finishes kit" in the February edition of the Clear Cut magazine.
