Most of our clients use Houzz.com's Design Idea Books tool, Pinterest, or Instagram to find ideas for their remodeling projects. All three tools allow you to search by the room you're thinking about remodeling, make adjustments by budget, and creative Vision what you would like to have happened in your remodeling project. 
​

Once you've completed this step, it's time to find a professional interior designer, architect, or a remodeling company to help you refine your Vision with a rough estimate. Here are some resources you can use American Society of Interior Designers, Architect Finder and National Association of the Remodeling Industry.

Arrange an Initial remodeling / interior design consultations over the phone. If it makes sense, the next step is to arrange a meeting for measurements and a discussion about what you want to do and the materials that you wish to use.  

After you've agreed upon the initial scope of your remodeling project, the contractor or interior designer will have what they need to develop a line-by-line refined estimate of your remodeling project and provide it to you in writing.

Professional remodeling estimates should itemize the cost of all the stages involved in your project. Depending on the scope of your remodeling project you will have line-item estimates for: Design (floor plans and elevations), Engineering Fees (if needed) Permits, Demolition, Concrete, Foundation, Roofing, Carpentry, Material, Electrical, HVAC, Insulation, Plumbing, Door, Window, Trim, Paint, Wood Flooring, each Bathroom, Master Bathroom, Fixtures, Carpet, Window Treatment, Appliances, Cabinets, Countertops, Tile, Wall Tile Installation, Landscaping, Project Management Fees, and Professional Fees.

Experts recommend talking to at least three separate companies, getting their estimates, checking on their reviews, testimonials, and recommendations before making a decision.

Other factors that should be considered in your decision are the tools your contractor uses to manage your project, document change orders, communication, billing, and payments. Companies that adhere to best practices use platforms like BuilderTrend.

BuilderTrend works on every device, allowing homeowners to be able to log in on their phone, tablet, or PC to see calendars, job site logs, pictures and to communicate directly with the subs as well as the project manager via email or text message. 

You will need to decide whether you want to keep your furniture in the room during the remodeling process or storing it offsite.  You'll need to provide the contractors and subcontractors access to your property during the remodeling project and accommodations as necessary.

Your project manager will be working with you to get all the necessary permits and permissions. Particularly, if you live in a highly restrictive homeowners association as found in condominiums and town-home communities.

Just before your project starts the remodeling Company will have a pre-construction manager deliver equipment and supplies, signage, floor plans, elevations, project logs, and a contact information list for all the subs as well as the homeowner.

And you'll be provided with the credentials needed to log on to the project management tool allowing access to the home owner's portal. Here you'll be able to see the calendar for your remodeling project that includes contractors and Tradesmen assigned to the different elements of your remodeling project. 

The step after demolition is installing the new stud framing, setting up and installing the mechanical systems: HVAC, plumbing, electrical wiring and switches, cables, speaker wires. After the set-up and installation of the mechanical systems have been finished and passed inspection, insulation is added between the studs on the walls, the drywall installed and primed. 

The flooring is installed, before the new cabinets. When it comes time to install the cabinets, you’re getting pretty close to the end of your project. After installing the cabinets, it’s time for the template the countertops, which means carefully taking measurements for the countertop fabricator.

It takes a week or two before the counter is ready to be fitted. That’s because a sufficient amount of time is necessary to laser-measure the material precisely, have the shop drawings approved, and send it to the crew to prepare the slab preparation. The countertops will then be delivered and installed on your cabinets when they’re finally ready.

Once your cabinets and counters are in, your new kitchen is ready to be painted in the color of choice, and then all trim, backsplashes, knobs/handles, and light fixtures get installed.

Generally speaking, there are two inspections. The first walk-through identifies touch-ups and issues that need fixing. The contractor creates a punch list and assigns it to one of his team members to complete. After the punch list is completed, it's time for the second walk-through.  Ideally, everything on the punch list has been remedied, and the owner accepts the project as complete.

The contractor will provide the homeowner with warranty information and manuals for their newly installed appliances.

The homeowner has to make your project turns out the way they planned. Remember, the remodeling contractor wants to make sure you are satisfied because they live by their reputation and will thrive with your 5-Star review.

The most reliable places to post a review are on sites that require you to have an account. The best places to leave a review for Remodeling Companies are on their Google-My-Business Page, Facebook Business Page, and Houzz.com

The most effective reviews have a couple of paragraphs of text, high quality pictures, and a star rating. It's Not just enough to give somebody at five star and not say anything. People like to see pictures and read a little bit about what people have to say.

If you used reviews and making your decision take a minute and share that review for other homeowners like yourself and reward your Remodeling Company for a job well done