If you are planning a renovation, you probably have a lot more questions than you do answers, and that is very understandable! The most common thing that people say to us when they call is, "I'm overwhelmed and I don't know where to start!" And that makes perfect sense!
If you were planning a wedding, and you were not a wedding planner, perhaps you would call a few friends, pin some of your favorite ideas, even visit a venue, but then if you really wanted to plan a great event, you would probably call in the professionals.
A renovation is no different. Planning and execution are critical to the success of your project and we are here to help answer some of the biggest concerns.
Many homeowners worry about the project costing more than initially budgeted. Unexpected expenses, changes in materials, or unforeseen issues can contribute to this concern. Defining your SOW (Scope of Work) is very important. Having a list of Must Haves, Would Like to Have, and Reach Ideas helps everyone involved in the project to keep your goals in mind. Getting everything in writing, from your designer's contract, to a detailed estimate from your contractor helps you to determine what will work in your budget.
Sharing your budget with your professionals is crucial to its success. While it's impossible to give you an accurate quote when we first meet you, a preliminary budget can help to set realistic goals from the very beginning. Giving your contractor the time to create a detailed estimate will give you peace of mind and increase the chance that there will be less surprises.
And don't worry if your contractor charges a small fee for the estimate. It can take dozens of hours to create an accurate estimate, so it's worth the time. Same for a designer charging an initial visit fee. Most of us have ideas the moment we see your home, so see it as a working meeting from the start!
Ensuring that the work is done to a high standard is crucial. Homeowners may worry about hiring reliable contractors who deliver quality craftsmanship and use durable materials. It is critical to get references and read reviews. Some sites, like Houzz will let you search by Five Stars. Make sure there are several reviews that match up with what you need. If you can visit a recent job, all the better!
Delays in completion time are a significant concern. Homeowners may need the project finished by a certain date or worry about disruptions to their daily life during the renovation process. Delays are a natural part of our daily world, and the world of construction is no different.
Product delays, inspections and homeowner associations can slow down the process, so building in time for those delays is critical. If you have timelines that need to be met (your lease is up, you want to be back in your home by the high season...), letting your team know from the very start can be helpful. We may be able to structure the renovation so that even if there are delays, they do not affect you being or staying in the home.
Navigating local building codes, permits, and regulations can be complex. Homeowners want to ensure all necessary permits are obtained and that the renovation complies with legal requirements. Having licensed, ensured, and bonded professionals on the job will ensure that you have someone on your side. Oftentimes the contractor will have built trusted relationships with inspectors and HOA's and they understand the language that needs to be used.
An inspector that has worked with an architect, designer, contractor before and had excellent experiences, is more likely to trust them with your project. "But I don't need a permit, I'm just updating!". While permits can seem annoying and costly, they protect everyone involved. It's short money compared to the possible consequences down the road.
Making design decisions can be overwhelming. Homeowners may worry about choosing materials, colors, and layouts that will complement their home and personal style. If you have been my client, you know I am famous for saying, "I don't save you money, I use it wisely!". We are called in so often to "fix" things that looked good on Instagram, but barely lasted past the end of the driveway that the trucking company dropped it off in.
Creating a plan, moodboards, designing the space in 3-D, using design software and photo-realistic software to help bring your ideas to life can help give clients a sense of comfort and excitement. Just yesterday one of our current clients said, "We keep looking at the video, and we just can't wait!"
Renovations can disrupt daily routines, such as cooking, sleeping arrangements, and access to certain areas of the house. Minimizing disruption is a common concern. Planning your renovation around you is important. If you are living through your renovation (we don't suggest it as we can usually work faster when the home is unoccupied), let your team know so that we can accommodate. Sometimes we can put together a make-shift kitchen and plan for a lot of backyard BBQing, or make sure we leave you one bathroom with a shower so you aren't visiting your local gym several times a day!
Homeowners often consider how renovations will impact the resale value of their home. Clients can be concerned about over-improving relative to the neighborhood or making design choices that could deter future buyers. No one plans to move, but things happen, so a good team (including a realtor), can help you to determine where you can get the most bang for the buck. We can give you Good, Better, Best options so you can make informed options.
Clear communication with contractors and understanding the scope of work (SOW) is essential. Homeowners want to avoid misunderstandings or disagreements during the renovation process. Most contractors and designers have project management software that can provide you with regular updates. Here you will also be able to ask questions and see payment schedules as well as monitor the progress of the renovation. For many of our clients, they may be away for the majority of the project so this software, along with weekly wrap up reports, help everyone stay in touch. Share with your team the best way to communicate and we can probably accommodate!
Addressing these concerns requires careful planning, clear communication, and working with trusted professionals who can guide homeowners through each step of the renovation journey. For many, after the purchase of their home, this can be one of the largest financial commitments they are making. Taking the time to pick the right team, ask the right questions, and staying in communication will help the process go much more smoothly and get you that much closer to your dream space!
In good design,
Renee
Renee possesses a rare combination of artistic creativity and intuitive design. Her warmth and compassion extended beyond working with us to understanding the style and feel of our home and how we live in it. We felt fortunate to work with and get to know Renee and absolutely love the updates she made to our home- from windows and walls to artwork and furniture!
Renee is an absolutely wonderful designer. Very talented and easy to work with! She will transform your room or outdoor space into exactly what you want, only better!
Talented, creative, dedicated, great communicator. Renee is such a special person.
We have worked with Renee Carman at this company for almost 2 years. Renee is professional, personable, and a pleasure to know. She is very helpful and will go the extra mile to please her clients. Renee has excellent expertise and knowledge of interior design. We have a beautiful home and highly recommend her.
Renee possesses a rare combination of artistic creativity and intuitive design. Her warmth and compassion extended beyond working with us to understanding the style and feel of our home and how we live in it. We felt fortunate to work with and get to know Renee and absolutely love the updates she made to our home- from windows and walls to artwork and furniture!
Renee was a pleasure to work with and has great vision. We were doing a total rehab of a recently purchased property and she was able to look at a gutted out '50s cottage and turn it into a beautiful mid-century modern home. She understood our budget and timeline and was good about narrowing all our options down to just a few choices. This expedited the process, made it less difficult and more enjoyable. Once the rehab is done, we look forward to working with her again and finish the rest of the rooms.
Renee at Mandeville Canyon Interior Design was simply wonderful to work with. She was able to understand what we were looking for in terms of color, function and design from the moment we first spoke. She's easy to work with, goes above and beyond and delivers an outstanding design.
I highly recommend Renee and Mandeville Canyon Interior Design. I don't think I will attempt to decorate another room in my house without the help of Renee!
Love working with Renee and Mandeville Canyon Interior Design ! I had the opportunity to collaborate on a large scale design project recently and the results were fantastic! Creative, resourceful and one of kind design ideas made this design opportunity with Renee "one of a kind" Have a large or small project? You won't be disappointed!!
Renee not only has an amazingly creative eye, she also directed a massive renovation for us this past year that included the challenges of operating during the pandemic. She put together a team that had an incredible work ethic and brought the project in on-time and on-budget. She's a great listener. When we threw ideas at her, she was never dismissive; quite the contrary, she made them better. Her patience, attention to detail combined with her whacky sense of humor meant we were all able to smile while producing a home that we love. A great talent and a great lady.
Rene is amazing! Great customer care and wonderful attention to detail.
