Take initiative with major remodel
Ultimately, you, as the homeowner, are in charge. You have to think of yourself as a manager hiring and delegating the work to the professional members of your remodeling team.
There is work involved in being a good member of your own design team.
You need to be professional and serious about choosing the designers and architects for your project. Last week, we gave you tips for hiring a good contractor. The short story is you must do your research and take the time to interview the contractor and his referrals before choosing your contractor.
Depending on your skills and personality, you can take a little or a lot of the responsibility of the project. Some clients even go as far as serving as their own general contractor. But even if you choose not to be the owner/contractor, a good remodeling client is involved and oversees the process.
Your first responsibility is to have a vision of your remodel that considers your family's lifestyle. When you entertain, does everyone gather in the kitchen? Perhaps you need to expand the kitchen and add an island or some comfortable chairs. Do you look to your bathroom as a place to escape the world? Add a whirlpool tub or a deluxe shower with multiple shower heads to create a personal paradise. If you get a lot of traffic through the house, consider hardwood floors.
The more details you finalize during the design phase, the fewer decisions you will have to make during construction. There are so many choices to make during a remodel, it can be overwhelming. Use the knowledge and experience of the other members of your team wisely, but don't hesitate to be assertive and stand up for what you want. It is your home, so you should not leave it up to someone else to make decisions for you.
As the owner, you are also responsible to keep the peace in the neighborhood. Many people don't realize or think about how bringing in contractors for several weeks or even months can affect the neighborhood. It is important to give your neighbors a head's up to your plans. Let them know the schedule — when work will begin and the approximate completion date and if there are any delays. Inform neighbors of any large trucks coming into the neighborhood or other disturbing construction items. Check to see that construction vehicles don't block the street or neighbors' driveways.
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