Home remodeling projects have the power to transform your life, turning a vision for your living space into reality. Whether you’re looking to design your dream kitchen or add onto your existing home, starting a home remodeling project can be both exciting and daunting. Keeping these projects on track are home remodeling contractors, the people in charge of orchestrating your project from start to finish.
In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at the role of a general contractor in your home remodeling project. We’ll also take a bird’s eye view of the types of projects you might be looking to tackle in your own home and all of the fun and not so fun things you can anticipate along the way.
The Role of Home Remodeling Contractors
Home remodeling, or general contractors, serve as the ringleader of home remodeling projects, overseeing the entire process to ensure a seamless and successful outcome from the planning phase to the final execution. Their responsibilities are vast. You can expect the following from a good general contractor.
Project Management
General contractors are in command of your building project, meaning they do everything from coordinating your subcontracts and assigning tasks to managing the overall timeline of your project. An efficient general contractor will ensure that your project is done on schedule without major hiccups.
Coordination of Subcontractors
Building and remodeling a home requires a vast array of skills, but most contractors specialize in a particular facet of home remodeling. Therefore, the main job of the GC is to find, hire, and schedule the specialized workers who are licensed to perform each of these tasks. For example, that means hiring licensed plumbers and electricians to handle their half of a remodel while also coordinating with paints and carpenters who will come in behind them to finish the job.
Budget Management
Not only is the GC in charge of getting the project finished on time, they’re also in charge of getting the job done under budget. That means providing accurate cost estimates up front and then sourcing materials and labor at competitive prices. Problems sometimes arise with budgeting, and so a professional GC will work to mitigate these budgeting problems by proactively communicating with clients.
Permit Navigation
You need permission to build and remodel in many cases, which can add to the overall timeline of your project. Your GC is in charge of anticipating these permitting requirements and seeing that the project is done to compliance with your local building codes.
Types of Home Remodeling Projects
Home remodeling is a term used to encompass a wide range of projects. These projects include everything from adding new rooms to your home to doing some serious landscaping. Let’s take a look at the basics.
Whole Home Renovations
This includes a comprehensive approach to your home’s updates and improvements across all areas, from the kitchen to the bathrooms to the bedrooms. Typically, these renovations are more intense than a simple paint job, and many rooms will get facelifts from the light fixtures to the flooring.
Room Additions and Expansions
You can increase the size of your home by adding an entire living space or expanding existing rooms to accommodate growing families or changing needs. Some homeowners will add second floors to their homes as well, which involves a massive undertaking.
Kitchen and Bathroom Renovations
Changing the tile or vanity in your bathroom can give it a more modern sensibility and improve upon outdated features. These focused upgrades in bathrooms and kitchens work to enhance the functionality, style, and resale value in two of the most important rooms of the home.
Basement and Attic Conversions
Many homeowners look to rework existing spaces of their homes to add more usable space. The basement and attic are two prime locations for this. Transforming these underutilized spaces into functional living areas can create space for a home gym, office, or guest accommodations.
Exterior and Landscape Projects
Not all home remodeling projects take place inside the home. Major landscaping projects done to your property also fall into this category. These projects can also include the addition or renovation of decks, patios, lanais, and outdoor structures such as garages or sheds.
Why Choose a Home Remodeling Contractor for Your Remodel
Hiring a general contractor offers numerous benefits. Without one, most of the tasks your GC would handle will fall to you as the homeowner. Unless you have the experience, qualifications, and time to dedicate to handling the project, you can become overwhelmed by the task and your project can suffer.
Your general contractor will be the main point of contact for all parties involved in your project, ensuring your project stays on task. A GC will manage schedules and coordinate with subcontractors to keep your project on time and on budget.
A good GC will also be able to offer quality assurance on your project by exercising their knowledge of home remodeling projects to ensure tasks are being done to code and with high quality results.
When done properly, hiring a GC will not only reduce the amount of time and energy you have to put into your own home remodeling project, it will also help to reduce your stress. By assuming the responsibility of project management, hiring a GC will allow homeowners to focus on enjoying the process rather than dealing with logistical challenges.
Preparing for Your Remodeling Project
Home remodeling projects can be a very exciting endeavor. But they can also become extremely stressful and difficult if you haven’t planned properly. With that in mind, it’s important to do some work ahead of time to mitigate your expectations and set yourself up for success.
Start by setting a realistic budget for your project. Doing so will ensure you don’t overspend on a project as you get swept up in the process. Your budget should include material and labor costs and it’s best to consult with the GC in charge of your project.
Be sure to also define your project goals. This includes communicating your vision, priorities, and expectations to a contractor to make sure you’re both on the same page. If you go into a bathroom remodel hoping for new tile and paint, be sure to communicate these priorities so that you don’t find yourself replacing the tub, sink, and fixtures to boot.
Finally, be sure to communicate regularly. Open lines of communication with your contractors can help to head off any major problems before they happen. They’re also helpful when projects take longer or cost more than expected.
Getting Started With a Home Remodeling Contractor
Selecting the right contractor is crucial for the success of your project. Start by researching qualified contractors in your area. Focus on contractors who have the proper licensing and insurance to do the job correctly and to code in your area. From there, zero in on a handful of contractors with relevant experience and a wealth of positive reviews from satisfied customers.
Your next step will be to consult with a few contractors who meet your standards upon initial review. When you meet with these individuals, you’ll want to discuss your project goals, go overall a potential timeline and discuss costs. The right contractor for you will be easy to communicate with and will be able to offer reasonable expectations of your project when it comes to a timeline and budget.
Once you’ve selected a contractor, you’ll want to get everything down in writing to make sure you’re covered in the case of a problem. That means developing written contracts that include the scope of the work, a timeline, payment schedule and warranties. Both parties should sign these documents and agree to them before any work begins.
