The Who is Who in a Remodeling Project

Recently at a dinner party a friend of mine started narrating her remolding construction experience and how miserable she felt having to manage all the materials and details. She said the General Contractor was not meeting her design expectations and she felt the overall project was not what she had envisioned. She had a decent sized project that involved moving her laundry room from the garage to indoors, a new kitchen layout and creating a more open space between her kitchen and family room. She went on to say that she hired a General Contractor thinking he was skilled to help with ALL aspects of her project including the design. I have seen this situation happen so many times, where a person will either choose to project manage their own remodel, or hire a GC thinking that's all they need. It was very apparent that consumers are not informed about the roles of a GC vs an architect vs an interior designer, and why some remodeling projects may need all three. Below is the explanation I gave her of the different roles each professional plays in a remodeling project.

The General Contractor. They are builders. They are responsible for managing and coordinating the sub-contractors: electrician, plumber, tiler, sheetrock installer, painter, etc. as well as creating the remodeling budget. Pulling permits, calculating material quantities, ordering and making sure it arrives to the jobsite is also part of their job. They typically do not like to be involved in the design or layout of your project. They prefer for you to know what you want and have a set of plans ready for them to use. They are in charge of creating the remolding project and will simply work from your plans. They will also expect for the homeowner to provide and choose all their own finish materials (tile, wood, baseboard, crown molding, etc.) and fixtures (i.e. lighting, faucets, tubs, etc.). Some GC businesses have in house designers and architects but if they don’t, they usually do not like to take on the additional risks involved with the design of any project.
Pro tip: having accurate floorplans and elevations will allow the GC to give you a TRUE estimate for your project and avoid change orders through-out your remodel.

The Sub- Contractor. This is for the homeowner that takes on the task of managing their own project and act as the GC. Being your own GC is a lot of work to take on and it requires for you to have a lot of available time. Sub are usually hired by the GC and they take on specific tasks of the project (i.e. the sheetrocker’s only job is to install the drywall). There are several different trades that will touch your project before it’s finished. The different subs have to be managed, schedules coordinated, materials provided, floorplans explained and lastly, they need to be kept on track so the project doesn’t stall. A sub will focus on their particular specialty and most of the time won’t look at the big picture. Keep in mind that subs usually are independent; thus, they have loyalty to the GC’s because they get a continuous feed of jobs from them and perhaps will not have the same loyalty to the homeowner acting as a GC. 
Pro Tip: Make sure you have all your decisions made PRIOR to the sub arriving to perform their work. Making decisions on the fly is a total no-no as this can result in costly mistakes.

The Architect. The architect’s role is important if the remodeling project involves structural work, adding space or extending the roof line among other things. Their job is to take your existing space and create a new design with all the structural and functional elements that are needed. They will also draw the plans with your needs and stamp them for permitting purposes. Architects do not typically procure furniture and will make a very general furniture layout that keep in mind traffic patterns, focal points, window locations, and make sure the additions are up to the building code. They typically do not get into the nitty-gritty of what the interior details will look like.

Interior Designer. The Interior designer’s role is key as they present ideas and concepts based on the needs and wishes of their clients. They translate clients’ vision and take it beyond what they can imagine for their homes. They introduce them to materials and products that will create a unique and custom look that reflects their lifestyle. Vital at pulling everything together: materials, finishes, color palettes, lighting, fixtures, etc. They draw detailed plans and elevations (including 3D Renderings) that include tile pattern layout, cabinet design, built-ins, etc. Interior Designers work towards the big picture and can anticipate potential issues; addressing them in the design phase prior to any work being commenced. They can handle a wide range of services: conceptualize ideas, create plans and often manage the project through the construction stage. Then finish it off with interior decorating, furnishings and install for a complete finished look. Many Interior Designers work closely with GC’s, architects and subs.
Pro Tip: your first call should be the Interior Designer.

After the explanation we concluded that more often than not, homeowners think they are saving money by having one professional do the work of other professionals. Skimping on the important parts of the project can actually end up costing you more in the end. Whomever you decide to hire, the one thing you absolutely need to have are detailed plans on paper. It will avoid having to explain your vision verbally to a GC or Sub, leaving the execution open to individual interpretation, not to mention that people tend to forget things. Hopefully this article has opened your eyes to understating the different roles each professional has when thinking about your next remodeling project.

The Cast Iron-y of a New Kitchen

Are you going through cast iron piping woes in your house? Are you having to reinvent the way you drain your kitchen sink or your washing machine “temporarily”? You are not alone. It feels like a very lonely and desperate place when you are trying to figure out the steps to mitigate your slippery -and smelly underground problem! After many nerve wrecking sleepless nights fretting the crumbling sewage piping underneath your cast away home, I recommend for your mental health to look for the silver lining of the problem the Universe has put before you. Cast Iron piping gone rouge is no joke, especially when it’s in your kitchen/ laundry area.  I have found that envisioning what your new space will look like helps keep your mind away from the worries of adjusters, lawyers and insurance agencies that are out of your control and taking forever to respond.

Let’s dream, but more importantly plan, so when the time comes around to go head first into the renovation project you are ahead of the game and ready to tackle your project like a pro. Here are 4 kitchen tips and questions to ask yourself before demolition rolls around.

1. Layout & Floorplan
Measure your kitchen and draw up a floorplan, include window and door placements. This would be a good time to move that door to improve flow, change the swing of its opening or open up the window to allow more natural light in. Think about if the current placing of your stove, fridge and kitchen sink make sense in the space. Pro Tip: Keep in mind the triangle rule. From center point of each item -sink, fridge and stove- they should form a triangle with legs no less than 4 feet or more than 9 and the total of all three legs should be between 13 and 26 feet. Lastly, do you have a stubborn wall you’ve been dreaming of opening up to add more kitchen counter to your space? Go for it! Remember that planning a layout ahead will give you time to keep a healthy budget, your expectations positive and attain the style that you envision.

2. Cabinets
When estimating your budget, after plumbing and electrical, the cabinet line item will be a significant part of your budget. However, it is very important as it will give character and style to your kitchen. There are three main cabinetry styling choices to keep in mind: cabinet door styles (flat panel, raised panel, slab, mullion), wood species (cherry, maple, red oak, hickory, etc.) and cabinet finishes (stain, stain/glaze, paint, paint/accent, weathered, etc.). Next think about how many drawers you want on the lower cabinets. Pots and pans in drawers or in the standard shelving? Upper doors with glass inserts or without? What door hardware will you be choosing? Take your time to look at the options as this is the jewelry for cabinets. Lastly, think about your hood range. It can be an architectural element and a great opportunity to make a statement.

3. Plumbing and Lighting Fixtures
Sinks come in a variety of shapes, sizes and materials, and can include a wide range of accessories. Revisit your layout and budget and check the size that fits your space and your budget. Some kitchen sink styles are: drop-ins with a rim that extends above the countertop surface, undermount, integrated kitchen sinks made out of a composite material with a seamless transition from countertop to basin for easy cleanup. The top materials used are: stainless steel, composites made by combining crushed granite or quartz with a resin filler, fireclay and enameled cast iron. If you are prone to keeping everything tidy, make sure your kitchen faucet has a pull-out sprayer so you can reach all the food debris stuck in the sink corners. Faucets come in a variety of finishes: chrome, polished and brushed nickel, matte black, brass, oil rubbed bronze etc. I don’t believe in matchy-matchy but definitely the whole ensemble of finishes has to speak to each other and make sense. The last piece of wow factor are the lighting pendants above your counter. Have fun, there are a lot of inexpensive options out there.

4. Tiles & Countertops
Time for pizzazz! Backsplash tile can be fun, a statement, mute, calm or bold. It’s up to you and your kitchen style. Kitchens are the core of the house and the place you spend the most amount of time in. Make it yours, whatever that may be. Think about if you want to take the backsplash all the way to the ceiling (height and budget permitting) or if you’ll take the upper cabinets bottom line as your mark as where to stop the tile. Does the tile have a pattern? Think about how it will stop at the edge of the countertop. Make a little sketch for the tile sub so he knows what to do beforehand. What will the countertop material be? Quartz, marble, granite, porcelain? All these have pros and cons and vary in pricing. Make sure the combination between backsplash tile and countertops speak to each other. Tip: if you like the look of marble but are scared of the brittleness and the fact it stains easily, then porcelain is an excellent alternative.

Hope these tips have you dreaming of what your new space can look like. Independently of the outcome of your cast iron dilemma, the irony of it all is that you will ultimately have to redo that kitchen -or bathroom or wherever you cast iron-y woes lie! I like to find the silver lining in the irony of it all and envision the positive. If you still feel overwhelmed with the thought of all the remolding planning and figuring out where your healthy budget lies don’t hesitate to call us!