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terikrieger

Need help with what professional to hire and when for a new home remodel

13 years ago
We are looking at purchasing a "tired" home that we can make our own. I anticipate redoing bathrooms, kitchen, possibly some opening up of spaces, etc ... Who do I hire first? General Contractor, architect, other? I'd like to have someone to consult prior to the purchase so I am sure the home we purchase is one that we can work with.
Featured Answer
  • PRO
    13 years ago
    Hi Terikrieger,

    Great advice by both David and Paul. Fwiw, my observations of their advice given to others on Houzz shows that they are both very talented individuals with different specialties, hence the different advice ;o)

    As a general contractor, designer and former cabinet maker (sub-contractor) working on a vast range of projects in the past 20+ years, my experience has been that the experience and talent level of architects, designers and design-build companies varies drastically. (I've worked for and with, many) The range seems to go from mediocre to incredible, so the most important choice for you is to find a team that you feel truly understands what you want, and has the vision, talent and ability to exceed your expectations. Talent is vital, but if they're too difficult to work with and don't listen to you, you're not going to be happy. Mutual respect is a must. (I've seen the best and worst of this.)

    I urge you to *take your time*, as finding the right people is by far the most important decision you'll make on your project. (I suggest not hiring anybody until you've interviewed a range of people. Begin with personal referrals if you have any. Houzz is also a great means for finding talent in your area)

    If you're planning to remodel the entire home now (or in phases) an architect or design-build company would be the best first person to meet with, as they are typically experienced in whole-house design/space-planning. Specialty designers like Paul (kitchen & bath designers) can offer incredibly valuable advice, so I urge you to also discuss your project with them to see how they can help with those spaces, before you submit any plans to your building dept.

    I've worked with all of the above and the right teams can quickly adapt to each other because they understand and respect each others talents. Its wonderful for all involved when it works!

    Some architects and most design-build teams will have a pre-established team (interior designer, GC, kitchen/bath designer etc) which can really help move the initial process along for you.

    I wish you the very best with your project!

    Steve

    Comments (8)

    • PRO
      13 years ago
      last modified: 13 years ago
      In the United States kitchen and bath designers will be the most knowledgeable for all the work. However you need either a designer that works for a design and build firm or one that will work with you in the early stages. Architects, unless they specialize in ONLY kitchens and baths will be less experienced and be trying to make money off the design itself and they are less qualified to supply it. Kitchen designers most times will have their design time already incorporated into the cabinetry you end up buying from a showroom in the end anyway. So if you can find a good designer at the showroom you end up purchasing cabinets from, your design time was free. Contractors are better off being brought in after you have the designs completed. Then they can all bid on the same job, apples to apples, without getting kickbacks from showrooms, and suppliers that you aren't aware of.

      Most important of all is to complete the designs with a kitchen and bath designer before you start any construction, or buy anything, no matter what route you decide on. Many customers come to us with designs from builders and architects that we can dramatically improve on, but they are too far along in the construction process to make changes or have purchased, windows, doors, appliances and fixtures that hamstring the design. Here are two blogs on this point:

      http://www.mainlinekitchendesign.com/general/im-doing-a-kitchen-addition-whats-my-first-step/

      http://www.mainlinekitchendesign.com/general/you-have-to-see-our-new-kitchen/
    • PRO
      13 years ago
      If you are thinking of re-organizing some spaces and make the house flow better to suit your lifestyle, then an architect will be more suitable since he/she will be able to give you an overall vision of the project.

      Once you have the space laid out the way you like, then a kitchen / bath designer will be able to provide more detailed design and material choices.

      After all the design decisions have been made and drawings complete, then a general contractor will be able to translate the drawings into the finished product.

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    • PRO
      13 years ago
      Hi Teri,

      Both Dylecture and I have a vested interest in our answers so take them with a grain of salt so to speak. That being said:

      In my experience with architects I have found that reorganizing space and better flow has actually been their biggest weakness. However, for maintaining exterior design integrity and for wonderful creative exterior solutions architects seem to do a terrific job in general. But when it comes to interior space most architects don't seem to know the required space needed for tables and chairs, create too much traffic space in a home, and not enough not usable wall space. You need to understand where the furniture will go when you design a room and I have yet to see an architect design a room furnished. Not to mention that the kitchen and the baths are the most important and expensive rooms in your home and it is better understand these rooms well when moving walls and doorways in the rest of the house to accommodate them.

      Best of luck,
      Paul
    • 13 years ago
      last modified: 13 years ago
      If you want the perspective of a homeowner who has done fairly extensive renovations (building a sunroom/greatroom addition and renovating a kitchen), I wouldn't do anything without an architect on board from the start. We began with a local architect, and after designing a beautiful addition that was in keeping with the style of our historic home and getting it approved by the city's architectural review board, he gave us some excellent recommendations of reliable general contractors to bid on the job. We ended up hiring one of the contractors he recommended, who was wonderful to work with and did outstanding work. Then, four years later when we renovated our kitchen, our architect recommended a local woodworking firm he had used for his own kitchen to custom build our cabinets. Their bid came in lower than the others (including a local kitchen design firm's) and we ended up hiring them not only to build our cabinets, but to serve as GC for the whole kitchen renovation. Once again, they turned out to be wonderful, meticulous craftsmen to deal with. So even though our architect was not involved in the design of the second project (beyond a few hours of consultation), I credit him with outstanding recommendations of highly experienced, detail-oriented, reasonably-priced people to do the actual construction. It was also reassuring to have him in the background for consultations and an experienced, educated eye for the over all design.
    • PRO
      13 years ago
      Looks like Feeny and I posted at the same time (again!) great advice from her too! :)
    • 13 years ago
      Thanks, everyone. I appreciate all of your perspectives and guidance very much! Clearly, I have a lot to learn. ;-)
    • PRO
      13 years ago
      Teri- Steve gave you the best answer. Somebody good trumps what they do for a living every time, as long as they are professionals in the industry.
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