Helpful Remodeling Tips:

Making It Easier to Live With Your Project

Having your home remodeled is uniquely different from having a new home built. With remodeling, your home becomes the worksite. You live side-by-side with the project from start to finish. You have to adjust your daily routines to make way for the construction that will transform your dreams into reality.

These tips may be helpful to make living with your project as pleasant as possible.

Successful remodeling projects depend upon mutual trust and consistent communication between you and your Building Company Number 7 team. You need to count on our technical expertise and ability to complete the job as promised. In addition, we will count on you to carefully prepare for and understand the remodeling process.

COMMUNICATION: The key to remodeling happiness.

Consistent and open communication between you and Building Company Number 7 will enhance your understanding of the project, provide an opportunity to exchange ideas, and ultimately help to make the experience a positive one for everyone involved. The suggestions listed below can help you ensure that the necessary communication occurs:

• Determine who your Project Manager should contact for daily decisions and for an after-hour emergency. You will exchange phone numbers and any specific directions as to how to get a hold of one another at your preconstruction meeting.

• Designate a backup for each contact person to assure continuity in anyone’s absence.

• Create a place at the jobsite where the Project Manager and contact person can leave messages for each other.

• Speak up! If you are uncertain about any aspect of the job, bring your concerns to your Project Manager’s attention. We want the project to be a satisfying experience and will work with you to achieve that goal.

TIMING & SCHEDULES

The time necessary to complete your remodeling project will vary based on the scope of work and factors as uncontrollable as the weather. A bathroom remodeling project may take just a few weeks, while a two-story addition may take 6 months. To help keep your project on schedule, we plan ahead:

• If your project requires a permit, work can only begin when that permit gives us legal permission to proceed. Depending on the municipality you live in, obtaining permits can be time consuming, so be patient.

• We will give you projected start and completion dates for each phase of your project, presented as a timeline for you and your Project Manager to review progress by.

• For all projects, expect to set aside time for telephone calls and regular job site meetings with your Project Manager to review progress and discuss the schedule and any other questions, concerns or comments you might have.

• You may choose products that are not in stock or unavailable locally. This is ok, as long as you make all selections in a timely manner and as soon as possible. You will have our Selections Coordinator/Interior Designer to help guild you and stay on track.

• Realize that changes you make to the project after work has begun may affect the schedule and the budget. Work orders will include pricing, full descriptions and authorization in writing before work commences.

THE PRECONSTRUCTION MEETING

One way to ensure the success of your project is to plan for and actively participate in a preconstruction meeting. It is an excellent opportunity for us to clarify procedures, assign responsibility, and show how the job will progress. Think of this meeting as a forum for all participants to define their expectations and agree on the anticipated outcomes. Be prepared to take notes. The preconstruction meeting will cover the topics described below:

Household Concerns

• Jobsite signage

• Jobsite access

• Work and storage areas

• Furniture and other personal belongings

• Security

• Safety

• Salvaging materials

• Debris

• Utility interruptions

• Clean-up

Worker Guidelines

• Start and stop times

• Parking

• Bathroom facilities

• Smoking

• Language

• Radios

PREVENT REMODELING FEVER

Remember that your home will soon become a worksite. We will work hard to respect your privacy and help to minimize any inconvenience. Nonetheless, the train-station atmosphere may lead to remodeling fever. You may feel a loss of control because of disrupted routines and the impact on your personal space. The best approach is to (a) prepare well, (b) remember the temporary nature of the disruption, and (c) focus on the progress being made.

The pace of the work varies throughout the project. Demolition and framing may seem to occur swiftly while finish work will often seem endless because you will not see significant change during this phase. However, we are still hard at work and pressing toward the completion date of each phase.

Ideas for preventing and alleviating remodeling fever:

Prepare for Inconvenience. A remodeling project can turn your home and (on some days) your life upside down. For instance, you will sacrifice convenience during a kitchen remodel. However, a little ingenuity and some culinary shortcuts can lessen the impact. We are happy to set up temporary cooking quarters by moving your refrigerator, toaster oven, and microwave in to another room and loaning you our portable cooktop/oven. In warm weather, ready the grill and dine alfresco!

Designate a Safe Haven. Set aside a room in your home where you can escape from the chaos and commotion.

Guard Against Dust. During a remodeling project, dust has the unfortunate tendency to appear everywhere-on lampshades, on clothes, and even between plates stacked inside your kitchen cabinets. We will reduce the impact of dust and dirt in the following ways:

• Seal off doorways and stairs.

• Turn off central heat/air or cover air registers during drywall or floor sanding. Filters will be changed often throughout the duration of the project.

• Deliveries will be made through a designated entrance and temporary floor and wall protection will be applied where appropriate.

• Areas that contain anything that might get damaged by the dust will be covered with plastic drop cloths and taped shut with plastic.

Maintain a Sense of Humor. You may need it when the weather refuses to cooperate or when a trade contractor or supplier postpones an install or delivery date.

Enjoy the Remodeling Process. Tell your family you are “camping-in” and turn inconvenience into fun. Along the way, celebrate at completion of phases; for example, splurge on your favorite take-out food when the space is plastered or dry walled or when flooring is complete.

PROJECT ORIENTATION

Once your project is substantially completed, we want you thoroughly explore the new space. You and your Project Manager will tour the remodeled area and discuss any last-minute details to address. We will provide you with a warranty/product information package which includes owner’s manuals and product care and maintenance.

Our Selections Coordinator will explain maintenance requirements and demonstrate how your new equipment works.

After the job is complete, and we have “left the building” take a deep breath, congratulate yourself, and enjoy the added value, comfort and convenience of your newly remodeled space. With patience, consistent communication, and careful preparation, the process went smoothly and you can enjoy the results for years.

If you are looking for a Nashville remodeling company please call us today at 615.785.9029 or complete our online request form.