12-Step Process of Remodeling with Village Home Remodel
I want to get to know you, just as you want to get to know why to choose my company, Village Home Remodel, for your project.
To embark on a quality renovation project is much like the beginning of any good relationship: it begins step by step, it’s a process. I believe if you are involved and informed from the beginning and are a part of the process you will better understand and own your project outcome.
My professional procedure allows you to understand the various phases of the renovation process. It also supports the design team, the contractors, the installers, the plumbers and electricians in your renovation schedule.
So here we go…the important parts of this 12-Step Process include:
- 1. INITIAL APPOINTMENT: Schedule an initial appointment with Village Home Remodel 508-771-5446, I will actually be the one meeting with you! The first appointment is in the showroom.
- 2. DESIGN DISCUSSION: We will discuss options and ideas available for your project and then set up a second appointment.
- 3. BUDGET WORKSHEET: A budget worksheet will be created just for your project demonstrating a Good-Better-Best 3-Column pricing budget. Installation will be included in each price point option. Village Home Remodel guarantees to be within 6% of the budget column you select!*
- 4. HOME/”JOBSITE” VISIT: I will visit your “Jobsite” to perform a complete in-home analysis.
- 5. PROJECT AGREEMENT: After you review, you will sign a RETAINER AGREEMENT and make your initial payment.
- 6. FINALIZATION OF PLAN: Village’s designer will finalizes all dimensions, floor plans, & mechanical specifications. Finalize product selections and pricing. You will receive a final written quote which will include a project start date.
- 7. MATERIAL DEPOSIT: You will then come to the showroom to review the final plans and product details and make a payment for material deposit. all Material Orders, Work Orders, & Schedules. We then organize all the contractors for your project.
- 8. ORDERING YOUR MATERIALS: Village Home Remodel then completes all Material Orders, Work Orders, & Schedules. We then organize all the contractors for your project.
- 9. PRE-CONSTRUCTION CALL: One week prior to your job start you will receive a Pre-Construction Call or email with an update report.
- 10. PRE-CONSTRUCTION MEETING: Two to three days prior to job Linda will arrange a pre-construction meeting with you, the lead contractor, and herself.You are now under construction. Linda will be stopping at your job as necessary BUT will have daily communications with the Lead Contractor.
- 11. CONSTRUCTION BEGINS: During the construction phase Linda will stop at your job as necessary BUT will have daily communications with the lead contractor.Final checklist walk-through with you and workout items are performed and completed with final payment.
- 12. FINAL CHECKLIST WALK-THROUGH: Linda will walk through the entire project with you and make sure everything is to your satisfaction. Once everyone is satisfied with the job, final payment will be expected.
We certainly hope you will enjoy your new space for years to come. We also hope that you will tell your friends about your experience with the team of Village Home Remodel.
* Without changes from the original design and materials selections, this process helps to make the renovation complete in a timely manner.
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Pricing
When considering a renovation project, the first question most people ask us is, “What will it cost?”
We often refer our customers to a nationally published report provided by one of our trade resources: “REMODELING MAGAZINE.” In the magazine there is an annual report entitled “COST VS. VALUE REPORT” (view the 2009 edition [pdf]) This report compares construction cost with resale value for the 29 most popular remodeling projects in 60 U.S. markets.
Many of our clients have used this information as a tool to get a quick snap-shot of overall costs. You may find this years annual report at costvsvalue.com. Go to the “Boston” area for a free guide to mid-range and high-end descriptions of home projects in Massachusetts.
We then work with you to create and in-depth profile of your home renovation project needs and ideas. We call this your “Project Profile“. Included in your “Project Profile” is our Budget Worksheet- a detailed price range for your specific project. There are no charges for our services up to this point. We feel that you cannot test drive a home renovation project like a CAR— So the development of your “Project Profile” allows you to “test drive” Village’s approach to your project.
What is Design-Build Remodeling
Design-Build Remodeling is becoming a much more common and sensible approach to the remodeling process. Essentially, Design-Build is a process whereby a homeowner works with one company through the entire remodeling process. This process includes three phases; The Budget & Design Specification Phase, the Overall Estimate Phase and The Construction Phase.
What are the Benefits of a Professional Design – Build Approach?
- Increased communication and less opportunity for things to slip between the cracks.
- Attention to all of the details – detailed design and detailed project worksheets.
- Education as to the remodeling process, design & products.
- Budget can be considered from the start and the design can be geared toward the budget.
- You have a guide for the entire remodel process.
- You get to know the team you will be working with at Village and develop a level of trust and confidence in our team approach.
- Better service.
- More time can be devoted to you and your project to determine the best possible design solution and the best product to fit your kitchen or bath budget range.
- Product selection is done prior to construction to minimize changes and cost increases.
- Creates realistic expectations.
- Guaranteed quality.
- Doing the details before construction reduces the stress of the project & speeds up the process.
- Projects can be designed that are feasible and cost effective.
- Familiarity and expertise with the entire process.
- Seamless transition between the phases.
- The best value can be achieved.
What is the goal of a Professional Design – Build Process?
Village Home Remodel is a design-build company specializing in taking clients from project inception to project completion.
In the Design and Budget phase, our goal is to spell out as many details as possible so that we obtain an accurate estimate using our Budget Worksheet, where we offer a Good-Better-Best senerio to help you establish your project price range. The Estimate Phase refers to preliminary designs, detailed product specification, and an accurate, detailed, written estimate. Omitting this critical phase of project development can result in a remodeling dream turning into a remodeling nightmare. A detailed, accurate and feasible estimate then leads to a smooth transition to the construction phase without a lot of unforeseen changes. By eliminating the potential for changes and doing the details ahead of time, actual project costs can be determined. Changes are very costly and designing projects and selecting products during the Construction Phase is even more costly.
The Design – Build process saves you money in the long run. Creating a realistic budget and working towards the targeted budget is another very important goal in the Design & Product Specification phase. Designers, architects, draftsmen and other design personnel, may design projects without ever addressing the potential costs. If costs are insufficiently addressed, it is unlikely that a financially realistic project will result. In far too many cases, designers, architects, draftsman and other design personnel are not familiar with construction costs, and in many more cases, they may not know how to build. Unfortunately, the budget is not considered and the project ends up costing more than the homeowner can afford. In addition, these design personnel are not typically trained in the entire remodel process. They may perform their design, and then leave the contractor and the homeowner to interpret potentially vague and inadequate plans. There is no continuity to the entire process. Many important details may be missing.
Village Home Remodel’s goal is to create a realistic budget from the beginning and then work towards meeting the budget. Our goal is to address ALL of the details, as best we can, ahead of time. We have designed and built hundreds of projects, and bring our expertise to you and your home. We look forward to working with you and providing you with the quality and smooth remodeling experience for which we are known on Cape Cod and The Islands. We will guide you through the entire process – a process that can be very frustrating for most homeowners should they choose the wrong approach.
What is the Homeowner’s Part in the Process?
In essence, the Design – Build process allows the homeowner to get what they want, not what the design or Contractor personnel wants, since the homeowner is thoroughly involved in the Design & Product Specification phase of their project.
It takes a good deal of our time and effort to design a project that is both very functional and aesthetically pleasing. We want to take that time with you. We are in the best position to guide and assist you in the Design and Product Specification phase. We also appreciate your effort in making the decisions required for your project. We realize how much time and energy goes into moving through the process. Our goal is to ease the burden of this process through education, communication and professionalism.
“I Don’t Need Design – I’m Only Removing & Replacing – I Know What I Want – I Don’t Need a Permit”
Frequently, many homeowners are under the impression that they don’t need some of the important parts of the process, like a permit, design drawings, detailed product selection, or a detailed drawing. Unfortunately, these misconceptions can lead to trouble. Village Kitchen & Bath Remodeling recommends that a permit be obtained for most remodeling work, since, by law, a permit is required for structural, plumbing, electrical and mechanical changes. Your local building department may require that detailed drawings be presented to them in order to obtain a permit. Your local building department may want to see these drawings and inspect the work to ensure that the work performed meets code requirements. In addition, these drawings help to ensure that the homeowner and the contractor have the same understanding of the project and assist in leading to detailed product selection and a detailed estimate.
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