There are two main concerns most people have when remodeling their homes. The first question is almost always, “how much will this cost?” The second concern is usually, “how long is my project going to take?” This article is designed to help you look at the various factors that answer and address the second concern.
If this is your first upgrade, you may not have realistic expectations. That is not to say that your contractors don’t want to care for you. Instead, the process will most likely take longer and cost more than you were expecting. This is especially true in today’s business climate. Most supplies are limited, and building materials cost more.
Perhaps you have seen recent news articles that discuss how the price of wood has increased. Despite these obstacles, you can still get a positive outcome if you consider the budget and timeframe.
What Does it Take to Complete a Project?
Every home remodeling company will have different processes and phases. In general, however, most projects can be broken down into three steps. Let’s take a quick look at each one and the expected timeframe.
The Bidding and Discovery Phase
General Estimation: 1 week – 2 Months
As with most projects, you will need to cover all the big picture and minor details with home upgrades. For example, suppose you are looking to upgrade your kitchen. When you request an estimate, you should already know if you are looking to do a top to bottom revamp or not. Will the contractors keep your countertops, flooring, or even the same layout as your current kitchen?
This process is designed to help the construction company know what you want to achieve. It almost always involves an in-person meeting and several follow-up phone calls and emails to ensure everything gets covered. The best contractors use technology to their advantage and will be able to offer customers 3D renderings of their projects before the building begins.
Construction and Build
General Estimation: 2 Weeks – 6 Months
Once everything has been approved and papers have been signed, your contractors can begin building. Many small and large factors can affect the overall timeframe. The larger your project, the more time it will take to complete everything. One of the considerations you should consider is the size of the team you are working with. Generally speaking, the larger the company, the more employees they can assign to your remodeling project. When working with larger companies, the bad news is that their pricing is most likely higher than other options. You must be working with a company that can fit your needs. Are you willing to wait a little longer to save money, or are you willing and able to pay top dollar for more contractors?
Finishing Touches and Quality Assurance
General Estimation: 1 Week – 1 Month
The final step for most upgrades is taking care of the final touches. This includes painting, cleaning up the worksite, and repairing any minor damage that could have occurred during the building process. During this step, the contractor will most likely go through the completed project with their customer. They inform you of work completed and get your verbal and written approval of the work.
Do Your Homework
One of the best things you can do is to take the time to do a little research. Find companies online with previous work galleries and actively share their customer reviews online. Remember that finding the right company for your project is the difference between being happy and upset. Home construction is generally one of the most stressful endeavors homeowners can experience.
The best contractors will help make this process as smooth as possible. Take the time to make a few phone calls and request an estimate that covers the cost and estimate completion time.