How to Plan a Home Remodel: What to Do Before Construction Begins
The Best Remodels Start Well Before Construction Begins
Remodels aren’t impulse projects— there’s a lot of time, energy, and care that goes into every project before the first wall comes down. From design to demolition here’s what you need to know.
When Should You Start Planning a Home Remodel?
Start planning your remodel 4-12 months before construction begins. How early you should start planning depends on how many rooms you plan on remodeling. Just a bathroom—4 months might be enough. A whole home remodel? Start planning closer to a year ahead. This will give you time to finalize designs and select materials. It will also give your general contractor time to obtain permits and coordinate with subcontractors to get the job done.
The Design Phase
On average, it takes anywhere from one month to as long as a year to complete the design process. The timeline depends on the number of rooms that you are planning to remodel. This part of the process includes initial blueprints, layouts, and material specifications.
Choosing Materials
It may be tempting to pick the cheapest materials for your remodel in order to save money. However, many people who choose materials solely on price regret their decision in the long run. Choosing materials based on performance, longevity, and style—not price alone—will get you the best long-term results.
Permits Take Time
In Santa Cruz County, you need to submit your permit application, pay intake fees, have the application be reviewed by county staff, address any requested changes, and pay the final permit fees once approved. This process can take weeks or even months, and should be factored into your overall project timeline. Check out Santa Cruz County’s site here for more info on how to get started.
Scheduling the Right Trades
Having the right tradespeople scheduled at the right time is essential to ensuring the project runs smoothly. This is where having a general contractor takes much of the stress out of managing your remodel. We will coordinate with subcontractors for you to keep the project on schedule.
Thoughtful Planning Leads to Better Results
When you have the right plan, you’ll get the right result. At John Fuchs Properties, we're here for you every step of the way. From design to development to debut, you can count on us. If you’re ready to start planning your remodel, we’re ready to help.
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