Help with the first steps

16 years ago

Thanks to those who directed me to the great cabinet posts. I am learning.

Now for a more general question, or maybe the idiot's question about renovation.

Our house was built in the '20's and last worked on in the 90's. I want to gut most of the first floor for a more open and flexible floor plan, possibly move entrances to hallways, totally redo the kitchen, put a wall of book cases that run from livingroom to dining room (neither of which is very big) and into the 3 season porch that we also want to convert to full time use. We also want to squeeze in a powder room.

I have been talking to contractors, architects, window people, cabinet designers, and design/build teams, but I don't have a good feel for the overall project budget and the value that different participants bring to the project.

I am looking for an efficient and cost effective process. We are not planning on doing much of the work, other the tiling (if we use tile) which I love to do.

So, in general (and I know there are no absolutes), is it most effective to go with an architech, then finding a contractors and a cabinet designer, or is a design/build team better.

Thanks for any advice,

Suzanne

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Comments (2)

User
16 years ago
In general, it's best to get a couple of contractor's estimates of your first "general scope of work". That helps you to decide to eliminate some of the projects when you get that first $300K-$400K (location will determine which number is closest to you) estimates for all that you want. Then you go back to the contractors and get another ballpark estimate after you've eliminated a few projects, and when you are comfortable with the ballpark you're in, then talk to an architect about drawing up the specific plans. That is when you get actual "bids" for the work you want performed. Have a substantial reserve. At least 30% above what the contractor bids for your project. There are always cost overruns, and you are planning on remodeling the most expensive areas of the home.

In general, talking to an architect first gets people all exicited about the project, they include everything they want, and when it's bid out, it comes in double to triple what they wanted to pay. By getting a contractor's ballpark on your projects, you have an idea before hand of what you should set your budget at.

Or, take a look at what that extra $300k would buy you with just selling your house and moving. If you have something special about the house (it belonged to your parents, or on a lake, etc.) then a remodel of the scope you're describing might be a worthwhile investment. Or investigate doing a teardown and rebuild. Often it will be cheaper to do because you're not having to mate the old with the new.
nansea
16 years ago
This isn't exactly what you wanted, but I found this website (link below) helpful when I first started planning my kitchen renovation. If you search around you will find how to break down costs based on the price of your home. Maybe it will help with some of the smaller details.

Here is a link that might be useful: budget
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