CONSIDERING A WHOLE HOUSE RENOVATION ? Here ’ s What to Do First
A whole-house reno is a huge undertaking that requires careful planning before you pick up the sledgehammer .
BY DIANE M . STERRETT
Advance planning may not sound glamorous , but it ’ s a crucial step that homeowners often overlook according to Tim Hebert , owner of Hebert Design Build . “ Proper planning ensures the project meets your needs and your budget , and helps ensure the project progresses smoothly ,” he says .
The key is to consider your long-term goals . Will you need more bedrooms to accommodate a growing family ? Is this your forever home that you ’ ll stay in after you retire ? Do you plan on selling in five or ten years ?
Planning also helps prevent the most common renovation mistake : making changes after the project has begun . “ Changing an aspect of the renovation requires a change order , which is usually expensive and can cause delays ,” Hebert says . “ Thorough planning avoids delays and added costs .”
Alex Mitchell of Meridian Custom Homes agrees . “ Make as many design and specification decisions as possible before you start construction . This will allow you to have a better handle on cost and allow the process to run much more smoothly ,” he says . “ Then , once you ’ ve pulled the trigger , enjoy the process .”
If you have a historic home , it might require extra time and investment . “ Regulations are constantly changing and getting approvals can take a long time ,” Hebert says . “ And , your home could have outdated electrical or plumbing that may need to be replaced . Sometimes you don ’ t know until you open up the walls .”
Your plan should include structural changes as well as colors and finishes , says interior designer Kim Peterson , who has completed dozens of whole-house renovations over her career . “ If your design plan is not good at the onset and your flooring and wall color don ’ t work well together , then it ’ s hard to pick furnishings that work . It ’ s that cohesiveness in a room that makes it feel cozy .”
It ’ s also important to get professionals in your process early — architects , engineers and designers . “ You don ’ t know what you don ’ t know , and mistakes are expensive . If you can ’ t afford to have a pro throughout the project , it ’ s more important to have them in the beginning planning process , rather than calling them in at end when something has gone wrong ,” Peterson says .
GETTY IMAGES / VERA LIVCHAK
Start by identifying the home ’ s issues : what ’ s not working , what ’ s your end goal ? Do you want to change the location of major items like the kitchen plumbing ? Then sit down with your builder or designer to help with the next step : the dreaded budget .
“ Decide what you can really afford to spend , and discuss how much it makes sense to spend . I see people put a ton into a house that doesn ’ t warrant it . If you ’ re staying forever , great , but if not , consider your return on investment ,” Peterson advises . “ Pros can tell you what ’ s realistic , where you can prioritize , and where you can get the most bang for your buck .”
Picking the right professionals to work with requires homework . Ask everyone you know who has been really happy with their renovation results for referrals on tradespeople , designers and contractors . On a big project like a whole-house reno , one thing falling through the cracks will create a snowball effect .
As for timeline , Peterson says to expect things to take longer due to pandemic supply chain interruptions . “ Everything is taking longer and costing more right now .” ◆
42 RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY ’ S NEST | 2021