You’re excited about finally getting started on your remodeling project. But did you know that the process is more than just hiring a good company, picking out the perfect materials, and seeing your general contractor put them up? There’s actually a lot of preparation required before construction even begins. And after it does, there are also some things that you need to be aware of so that everything goes smoothly for everyone involved. In this post, we’ll cover what you should do when hiring a contractor and what you should look for in a remodel.

Understanding the difference between a general contractor and a design-build remodeling firm

The difference between a general contractor and a design-build remodeling firm is significant. A general contractor is responsible for coordinating the project as a whole, meaning they can’t design anything and must outsource their work to other contractors. A design-build remodeling firm, on the other hand, can coordinate the project and provide all of its own services under one roof, making it more efficient and cost-effective than hiring separate contractors to do each part of your remodel.

What to ask your general contractor/remodeling company

When you’re choosing a company to do your remodeling project, it’s important to know what questions to ask. Here are some things you should make sure they can answer:

• How long has the company been in business? If they’ve only been around for a year or two, how many projects have they worked on?
• What is their reputation like? Ask friends and family if they know of any good contractors. Check online reviews and read any complaints that may have been filed against them.
• Are there any particular areas where this contractor specializes? If possible, find out whether or not the contractor has experience with similar projects as yours (i.e., kitchen remodels vs bathroom renovations). This will help ensure that your expectations are realistic from the get-go.

It’s important that expectations are set before work begins so both parties know exactly what to expect out of their partnership moving forward. 

How to get an accurate estimate from your general contractor/remodeling company

Getting an accurate estimate for home construction is one of the most important steps in the remodeling process. In order to prepare yourself, there are a few things you should keep in mind.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions from your general contractor/ remodeling company

Your contractor should be willing and able to answer all of your questions before they start working on your project. If he or she doesn’t want to answer a question, it’s probably because they don’t have a good answer for it yet. That’s okay! Make sure that his or her reasons for not answering make sense and aren’t just about making an excuse for something else (like trying to charge more).

Don’t be shy when negotiating with  your general contractor/ remodeling company

Don’t be afraid to negotiate prices once work has started on your project either—especially if you’re getting bids from multiple contractors—or even during initial negotiations with individual companies/contractors. Let them know your budget. Who knows, they may be able to meet your needs.

Don’t be afraid to walk away from bad deals from your general contractor/ remodeling company

There are plenty more fish in the sea. One thing I’ve learned through experience is that no matter how nice people seem when you first meet them, don’t take anyone at face value until they’ve actually done what they said they would do. Before agreeing to anything, if you feel that something is off then just thank them for their time and move on to the next company.

What you should expect from your general contractor/remodeling company after the job is finished

When the job is finished, it’s time to sit down with your contractor and discuss what you expect from them in the future. This may be as simple as asking if they offer maintenance or repair services, or it could be more involved. You can also ask how long they think the home improvement will last, how often it should be maintained, and what type of materials were used during construction. Plan what you want to get out of a remodeling company/ general contractor When remodeling, think of the entire process, not only the end result. The entire process includes the planning, the design and the construction. You can’t have an effective remodel without good communication between you and your contractor. Check out some of the examples of what you should look for when it comes to remodels depending on each part of the house.

Kitchen 

It’s important to have a kitchen that is functional and makes the most of your space. The kitchen should be laid out in a way that makes it easy for you to move around, and it should also be equipped with enough storage space for all of your items. If you want your kitchen remodel to be a success, you need to consider these four things.  

Functionality

Your kitchen should be functional for all the different activities that take place in it. That means making sure there’s enough space for everyone to move around comfortably—and that everyone has easy access to their favorite appliances.   You don’t want your new kitchen causing accidents or injuries due to poor planning! Make sure all of your cabinets are sturdy enough for heavy pots and pans, and that there are no sharp edges or corners where people could get hurt.

Aesthetics

A good-looking kitchen will make even the dullest tasks seem more fun. So think about colors, textures, and other design elements as part of your remodel.  

Living room 

  Your living room should be comfortable and inviting, with plenty of seating so that everyone can gather together during family movie nights or holidays. You’ll also want to make sure that the room has enough light coming in from windows so that everyone feels welcome in the space.

Functionality

Your living room should have a space for people to hang out in. There should be a sofa and an entertainment system so that people won’t get bored while hanging out. Safety is always important in any home remodeling project—especially when you have kids or pets. Make sure that your new flooring doesn’t pose a tripping hazard, and keep sharp corners covered with soft furniture or rugs.

Aesthetics

Aesthetically, you’ll want a room that feels good when you look at it. The right paint color and furniture layout can help make even the smallest spaces feel spacious and luxurious. This is a room that people would love to stay in so make it light and fun.  

Bedrooms

Each bedroom should provide ample space for its intended purpose, whether it’s for sleeping or storing clothes and accessories. Make sure there’s plenty of closet space in each bedroom so that you can keep everything organized neatly.  

Functionality

When it comes to a bedroom, functionality is key. Your bedroom should be a space that helps you get the rest you need and makes your mornings a breeze. That’s why we recommend using soft colors, like white or light gray, and keeping the room bright with plenty of natural light. You also want to keep in mind that your bedroom should be easily accessible from other areas in your home without having to pass through other rooms—and if possible, make sure it has its own bathroom!

Aesthetics

Aesthetics are just as important as functional design when it comes to bedrooms. After all, this is where you’ll spend the most time sleeping—and who wants to wake up and look at ugly walls? We recommend using artwork or wall hangings that reflect your personality and style (think: framed photos of family members or pictures of pets). You can even use scents that inspire you or help you relax (like lavender oil) by diffusing them throughout your room. And finally, don’t forget about lighting! You want to make sure there’s plenty of natural light coming in through windows.  

Bathrooms 

Remodeling a bathroom is an important step in improving your overall quality of life. It allows you to experience the comfort and relaxation that comes with a modern, well-designed space. You’ll most likely be spending a lot of time sitting in the toilet so make it a space that doesn’t add more stress to your daily routine.

Functionality

Your bathroom should have plenty of storage space for all your toiletries and grooming items so they’re easy to find and accessible. If you have multiple people using the bathroom at once, make sure there are enough electrical outlets for everyone! And if you’re shopping for new fixtures (showerheads, faucets), make sure they have features like temperature control or spray options so that everyone gets what they need out of the experience.  

Aesthetics

The best way to get those aesthetics is by starting with some paint samples, tiles, or other materials from your local hardware store or home improvement store—they’ll help you determine exactly what color scheme works best for your space before any permanent changes are made. Your bathroom can give off waterfalls vibes or forest vibes if you want.  

Garage

Remodeling your garage can be a great way to add value to your home, as well as make it more functional. You can create additional storage space, or use the space for other purposes like an office or guest room.

Functionality

Functionality is essential for any garage. You want to be able to park your car or truck there, and if you have kids, you probably need room for bikes and sports equipment. But if you’re not careful, you can end up with a cluttered mess of stuff that never gets used again.

Aesthetics

Aesthetics isn’t really a priority when it comes to garages. But like every space in the house, you want your garage to be presentable especially if you think about selling it in the future.   

Basement

The basement is a great place to turn into a living space since it’s typically a room that’s tucked away from the rest of the house, and not as heavily used.   It’s also a relatively inexpensive way to add square footage to your home. And if you’re looking for a way to increase your property value after moving in, remodeling your basement can be just what you need to get there.

Functionality

Functionality is the most important thing to consider in any space, but it’s especially important in a basement. You want to make sure that all of the rooms have ample space, that they can be used as intended (for example, if you want a bedroom down there, make sure you have enough room for a bed), and that they are well-lit.  

Aesthetics

Aesthetics are also important, but less so than functionality. The key here is balance—if your basement looks like an eyesore or a dungeon, people won’t want to go down there. On the other hand, if it’s too sterile or too bland, people will feel like they’re in an office rather than at home. You want something in between. Consider making it cozy if you are transforming it into a room.  

Attic

Remodeling your attic can be a great way to get more space in your home and create a wonderful living area. The first step is to make sure that the attic is sound and has good insulation. If it does not, you will have to repair or replace the roofing before making any changes.   

Functionality

First, ask yourself what kind of functionality you want to get out of your new attic space. Do you want it to be a playroom for your kids? A place where they can hang out with friends? Or perhaps an office or craft room that’s all their own? The more functional the space, the more complicated it will be to make it happen.  

Aesthetics

The overall feel that you would like to incorporate into the attic space would depend on the kind of room that you would like to turn it into. If it’s an extra bedroom then make it cozier. Kids usually prefer attics for their bedrooms. It’s something about the low ceiling design that makes it exciting for them. If that’s the case then make it more kid-friendly by adding colorful components.  

Call Eco Home Builders – Remodeling & Construction

We hope you have learned a lot from some of the tips that we have shared with you in this post. Remodeling is no easy feat but finding the right partner to do the job will make it so much easier for you.  Eco Home Builders is a remodeling and construction company that specializes in green building practices. We’re here for you for any of your remodeling needs. Call us at (619) 984-4555. We’ll be happy to help you with any questions you have about our services, or with scheduling an appointment for a quote.