Post by Stacey Walker. Stacey mostly works behind the scenes for Walker Woodworking, managing day to day operations, and marketing. Stacey has helped many clients create their dream space.

Common Remodel Questions Answered

A remodel is exciting because it means your home is getting ready to be transformed. What was dysfunctional, dated, and dim will be turned into a space that is functional, stylish, and bright. Of course, like anything else, there are questions you have, questions we have been asked numerous times over the years and we are sharing our answers with you.

How long does a remodel take?

This is usually the first question homeowners ask when thinking about doing a renovation and it is only natural since your regular routine will be altered during this process. There is never a definite answer because it will depend on the type of cabinetry you choose, the availability of the products, the extent of the renovation, and even the unexpected surprises. There are also differences between a kitchen and bathroom remodel as well.

• Kitchen remodel: this tends to be a more extensive renovation due to the multiple aspects that make up this project. Ordering items such as appliances, backsplash, lighting, and countertops can vary in arrival time due to the availability of each manufacturer. The choice of materials for your cabinets can also play a part in the timeline since certain woods may not be as available as others.
• Bathroom remodel: even though this area is usually smaller in size there are items that can lengthen the renovation timeline here as well. A specialty bathtub or tile may take longer to arrive.

Please remember that there is also a lot of planning and designing that goes into remodeling any area in the home before the actual construction phase begins. It is good to keep this in mind when starting your renovation journey. We also like to recommend that if you are considering ordering a specialty item that you find out the current lead times so that you can plan accordingly.

How much will a remodel cost?

This is a big question and one that is very important. There are several determining factors when preparing to budget for a remodel including:

• Size: will you be doing the whole house, one level, or just one area? And how large are each of these areas?
• Specific features: are there certain items that are a must-have such as granite countertops, a certain type of wood for the cabinets, or unique features like built-ins?
• Purpose: are you remodeling to resell or will this be your forever home? If you are planning to sell, consider the necessity of costly upgrades and special features to make sure they are getting you a ROI (return on investment).

It is difficult to nail down a particular price point but here are a few helpful articles that have general guidelines on a bathroom remodel and kitchen remodel.

What to remodel first?

Where do you start when you have several areas in the home you want to remodel or even the whole house? It can feel a little overwhelming to try and tackle it all at once but putting a plan in place can help ease the stress. Take a moment to ask yourself these questions:

• Will you be staying in the home during the renovation? If you are, it is best to tackle the remodel room by room allowing you to only have limited areas where construction is taking place. It might take a little longer but it makes it easier on you and your family’s daily routine.
• Do you need it to be done as soon as possible? If you are operating on a strict timeline you will want to do as much of the remodeling as possible since this can streamline the process.
• Do you work from home? This can be an important question, especially in the last year or so as more of us work from home. Consider that if you work from home the noise level will increase so be prepared to go to a coffee shop or even back to the office on certain days if possible.

Knowing your needs and routines can assist in developing a remodeling plan that works well for you and your family. Ask for the input of your designer and contractor as they have a lot of experience and can help answer any additional questions you may have.

How to prepare for a remodel?

The plan is in place, you are ready to begin but what should you do to prepare your home for the remodeling process? Are you supposed to move everything to the garage or just cover it with a sheet? Should you plan on buying easy prep food for dinner or just go out to eat? We get it, here are a few things to do to prepare for your remodel.

• Get rid of what you don’t need: sometimes it can be super helpful to go through each room in the house and purge. Goodwill is a great place to donate gently used items. You can help someone else while lightening the load for yourself.
• Make a list of your things: it is helpful to know what was in each room because sometimes when it’s time to move everything back in we can forget what goes where. Write down all the things that were in the bathroom, kids bedroom, kitchen, and such. You can also take a picture so it’s easier to remember and it will also make a great before shot so you can see the transformation!
• Use up what you have: if you can minimize the number of shampoos, or boxes of cereal, it means less to pack and move.
• Essentials only: we often don’t need as much as we think we do so when it comes to knowing what to leave out of the box during a renovation, mentally go through your routine and only keep what you need. If you can pair it down to a small box that will make it easy to get through the renovation by knowing where everything is.
• Keep tabs on the important documents: there is nothing more frustrating than needing a specific receipt or contract and not being able to find it. Keep these items scanned and saved in a file or old school and save in a large envelope and labeled so you can always have access to them.

Taking the time to prepare for a remodel will save you stress later. You can even write down a list of everything that needs to be done and check it off one item at a time.

What to do during a remodel?

While we enjoy the idea of living in a newly remodeled home, the process of remodeling can be a little long at times. We understand that and have a few helpful tips on what to do during a remodel to make it less stressful.

• Remember that your normal routine will be disrupted.
• Keep the end goal in mind.
• Stay on track with receipts. 
• Be flexible.
• It will be more dirty than normal

These things are all to be expected and when you keep them in mind it helps lessen the surprise and the stress. Be prepared to adjust how things are done in the home. Remodeling can also be hard on the children so consider ways you can help make it easier, maybe planning on going out to eat for a big breakfast on Saturdays. Giving the kids something to look forward to can make the week go by faster and easier. Flexibility will be key to going through the remodeling process as things will come up, plans changed, and orders delayed. Keep in mind that in the end you will have a new space that is updated to meet your needs and it will be worth it.

Ready to start?

Our experienced team has helped thousands of clients over the past 20 years achieve their remodeling goals and we are ready to help you with yours. Whether you want to redo your bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, or basement, we are here to assist you by creating a design that fits your lifestyle perfectly. Serving more than 16 counties, we look forward to serving you and going on your remodeling journey with you.