Pinnacle's Remodeling Process
Breaking It Down
You've decided it's time to remodel your bathroom, kitchen, finish your basement, or add an addition... Now where to begin? If you're looking to remodel within the year 2021 NOW is the time to get started on your project(s)!
Why now?
Typical projects can take anywhere from 4-6 months BEFORE construction starts. Even more so with COVID. Within this blog we'll break down the different phases, steps within them. Buckle up, this may be a bit of a longer blog, but it's worth it!
Here at Pinnacle we break remodeling down into two phases:
Pre - Construction
Construction
Pre - Construction
Site Analysis:
Part 1:
You may have found us through social media, our website, or maybe you got recommended to us through a contractor, friend, or family member. In our initial home consult we get to meet you, see your space, (how you use it and how uses it) what your style is, timeline, budget, and your wants, needs, and wishes.
Once we walk through the space together and get a sense of what you're looking for (and answer questions you may have along the way), we'll either take measurements of the space, take pictures, discuss ballpark numbers, or we'll leave and let you think things over.
This first initial meeting (while exciting) can also be very overwhelming! Here at PID we're here for you whenever you're ready to start your remodel. We never want to overwhelm you or create false hope. We'll tell you everything straight without sugar coating whether it's design, budget, or time constraints.
In this meeting we will be asking personal questions, for instance your budget. We know talking about money is hard, however, if you aren't honest about what you can and can't spend upfront from the VERY beginning we can not do our job right.
Sometimes during the first initial meeting you're naming off things you want or showing inspiration images that would make it an $80K renovation, but you can only spend $40K. We don't like being the dream killer, but things cost what they cost. We either increase the budget, save up more more and be ready to help then, or change the design. This is why the first initial meeting is so big.
Part 2:
You've decided to move forward with your renovation after the first meeting, yay! After you meet with PID we'll write up a Scope of Work and Times & Terms.
Scope of Work is a step by step process of what needs to be done to your space(s) as well as an estimated homeowner supplied costs. This helps keep everyone on track and this is the time to either remove or add in anything to your remodel. The contractors who will be bidding on the jobs will use this to make sure they are covering all the same things in the same manner. If you already have a contractor, it will ensure the number they gave you is correct.
Times & Terms in short is a contract. This lays out how much you'll be paying PID during the process of your renovation, how much PID charges per hour, when we bill, who is responsible for what, and so on.
Contractor Bidding:
Once PID receives these documents signed, (if you DO NOT already have a contractor) we can then start the process of contractor bids. When we do contractor bids we advocate to get 2 bids! Simply put, you may prefer one contractor over the other or maybe because one comes in at a cheaper price, or one fits your timeline better.
When we walk your space during this meeting, PID and the contractor has the scope of work you signed in hand so everyone is on the same page, and no surprises happen later on. No matter the renovation, we bring in contractors to your job who we think will be the best fit and frankly, that it will be worth their time. (I wasn't kidding when I said we'd tell you things straight and not sugar coated...) Contractors have to make a living also and some may be looking for smaller, quicker renovations because they have other big projects going on while others may need that next big renovation and can't take on any small lower cost projects. However, when a contractor is on your job, your job is their highest priority!
After these contractors see your space, they will start their estimates. This can consist of gathering additional information such as permitting, dumpsters, and quotes form plumbers, hvac, av, electricians, engineers, architects, etc.
Having engineers, architects, or surveyors, sometimes require an upfront cost, which you cover. This is necessary if we are doing an addition and need to decide on size, tie into existing structure, where it lands on your lot, etc.
You should expect your bid within 2-3 weeks.
Schematic Design & Design Development:
If we haven't taken measurements yet, this is where we do that and actually start designing the space. If we are proposing say taking down a wall, we would have the answer by this point of if it's possible and how much it would eat up of our budget. We don't want to suggest something we can't facilitate or you can't afford.
Then it starts becoming real, we present you with mood boards and drawings or renderings (if necessary) of your soon to be space! We take everything we talked about during our initial meeting of your wants, needs and wishes, as well as any inspiration images or further communication, and we create a few mood boards with different styles, finishes, and costs.
We show you samples of the actual proposed products such as flooring, cabinets, counters, tile, etc. as well. This is done either in your space or one of the showrooms we feel best about presenting in.
From here you decide on which design you like best and after making any revisions, we start getting estimates from our sales reps with the quantities needed for your renovation so we have a final home owner supplied cost.
Construction Documents/Administration:
Once you've decided who you'd like to go with for a contractor and final design we start purchasing. We do this to shorten the project and prevent delays and having construction last longer than estimated. For example, if you're renovating your kitchen you don't want to demo everything out before you ordered your cabinetry... which could be 4-8+ weeks out.
Now who does the purchasing?
PID purchases things such as cabinetry, flooring, backsplash, countertops, lights, hardware, furniture, and so on and with the homeowner's money. We purchase everything under PID's designer accounts, so you receive any trade discounts in full. It's our biggest goal to save our clients as much money as possible.
Now more than ever with COVID, supplies such as flooring or tile are getting back ordered for weeks or even months, sometimes being discontinued forever. When this happens it's important during that we make a fast and final re-selection and update the contractor as it may affect their schedule.
We purchase everything, track those purchases, inspect and label the purchases upon arrival, and handle any returns or replacements that may need to be done.
Your contractor will include any construction items (which PID will not be purchasing) and will include things like construction materials, trim, windows, etc.
You'll receive three numbers to make up your final project amount:
1- PID
2- Contractor
3- Homeowner supplied items
Construction
Construction-
Once we purchase everything that the contractor needs to get started (for instance cabinetry, flooring, etc.) we get a start date. The contractors take those estimated times of delivery of the supplies and figure out when to demo.
Now the contractor may do the demo work or you may take a crack at it to save some money. However, if you plan to do the demo, keep in mind anything you leave behind when the contractor comes in to do their work you'll be charged outside the scope of work.
Once everything is torn out, framing may need to be done and with that comes an inspection that needs to happen before moving forward. Then plumbing, electrical, and HVAC may need to be done, and once again an inspection that needs to happen before moving forward. Then drywall and then again an inspection needs to happen before moving forward.
During the rebuilding phase PID is alongside working with the contractor to ensure everything is going smoothly and keeping in mind the design aspect and also functionality of the space. This can be anywhere from moving outlets or changing what switch turns on what light, or the final position of things (think kitchen island or light locations).
Once inspections are all done and when we get the green light to start the installation process. The contractor will have a schedule and try to keep everyone as updated as possible if there are any delays, issues, or changes.
Project Completion-
Punch out... aka the end is near!
At the end of mid to large size projects PID, the contractor, and the homeowners look over the newly designed space to ensure everything is complete and the scope of work is final. We go over anything that may need some small fixing. For instance, a paint chip, more calking, etc. The contractor schedules a time to do that and we schedule a photoshoot based off of that completion date.
We also go over maintenance of everything from new cabinets, stone, vanity, LVP anything that requires cleaning, sealing, and more so you can maintain your space easier.
Final Thoughts
I know this list is long, detailed, and maybe even overwhelming. So a few final thoughts.
Doing a remodel is a marathon, not a sprint. You will want to make sure you've done your due diligence in interviewing contractors, choosing the right materials, and choosing a start date that will be the least stressful. You may have been saving or waiting to the project for years and you just want it done, but rushing leads to mistakes and unmet expectations.
No project is perfect, but we will do our best to keep it moving forward, in your budget, and an end result that was worth your wait.
Thank you for joining in and reading! I hope you got an insight into what we do, who we work with, the reality behind making old spaces new, and how awesome are clients are!
Jeanna Letzring, Owner/Interior Designer
Website: pinnacleinteriordesigns.com
Email: pinnacledesigns@yahoo.com
Instagram: pinnacleinteriordesigns
Facebook: Pinnacle Interior Designs
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