Remodeling: The 6 Things You Never Should Do

By Michael A. Thomas, FASID, CAPS

Designing a remodel is a critical process that takes thought and time.

When I meet potential clients contemplating a remodel of their home or workplace, there is one common element that every one shares: Fear. For some people, it may be a fear of having to live in the absolute chaos that comes with such endeavors.  It may be the fear of the cost of the work getting out of hand.  It might be finding out that the contractor you hired isn’t capable of managing the process.

It is not always easy to put those fears totally to rest. However there are certain actions that can help alleviate some of the distress, the anxiety and yes, some of the fear.  Those actions can be put into context by several things that you should never do when approaching a remodel.  Check out the 6 things you shouldn't do when you are contemplating a remodel. 

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#1  Don’t be too anxious just because you are ready to make it all happen.

• CASE STUDY: This kitchen design which featured a new skylight, a special cabinet for the flat panel TV above the cooktop and a hand poured concrete counter on the island took four weeks to complete on paper. But once the design was complete, approved by the client and the appliance package determined,  the actual  remodel process was less than 6 weeks because everything was clearly specified in advance.  It can be done with good planning and an orderly installation. 

Keep in mind the following. Building permits and HOA approvals may take weeks. Plus experienced contractors won’t drop everything to start work on your project just because you gave them a check. Remember, a contractor that is always busy no matter the condition of the economy must be doing a few things right consistently or they wouldn’t be in business.  

First be aware of any requirements from your city and/or neighborhood association. Ask contractors for a written schedule as a part of the bidding documents. And if the timing seems reasonable, be willing to wait for the best guy or gal and his or her team to place you in their schedule. Tie progressive payments to both the calendar and work completed. This is an incentive to keep the contractor on the job and the work moving forward.

#2  Don’t rush into signing up the first contractor you meet. 

First of all there are plenty of “Joes and Janes” with a pickup, toolbox and a hungry dog that will be glad to take your money. Some licensed, insured and bonded, some not.  Don’t accept substitutions in the bidding process. It will add to the confusion when it comes time to comparing dollars.  

Slow down and do your research. Require a minimum of three references, call them and ask this one question, “Would you hire Joe or Jane again?” Ask to see projects they have done – in person.  Contact the city offices to ensure they are licensed to perform such work in your area. Ask that copies of licenses, insurance and workmen’s compensation certificate are a part of the bid package. Compare estimates based on red apples to red apples and then consider your affinity towards one contractor over the others.

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#3  Don’t start without realistic expectations and a well researched budget. 

• CASE STUDY : Adding a new formal living room to an existing small single family residence provided this snowbird client with an opportunity to have additional entertaining space, something they enjoy doing for family and friends.  By checking with neighbors, they first determined how much they should expect to spend on the addition, a cost per square foot that would help create a budget and help them to stay in line with the other houses in the neighborhood.  

With an expected budget in place, the next steps included asking us to drawn proposed plans, writing the specifications, interviewing contractors and helping them to make the most important decision:  who to hire.  

Don’t assume that what you budget, the project estimate, and the final price will be the same. It never is. Opening up walls to find unexpected plumbing leaks, dry-rot or structural problems happen, especially in older buildings. You may also be required to bring the building up to current building codes and standards. And timing is a factor as “seasonal” work impacts the availability of labor and influences price.

Research what is realistic for a budget. Start by asking others what they spent for similar work. With your list of wishes in hand, ask a minimum of three contractors to “just interview” your project and provide what projects “like this” should cost. Pay them for their advice if it helps glean the right information. Some may balk but press for a guess-timate. If they can’t, perhaps it is because they have no recent experience in such work.

The objective here is to establish realistic numbers. Take all the highest numbers then reduce that by 15%. That smaller number sets a budget; the 15% is to help cover the unexpected expenses. Use the lower set of numbers should you need to scale back the work. This is not a perfect science but it will provide a frame of reference on which to base your decisions. Make decisions based on value and quality, not just price. 

And remember this one bit of advice: The number one way to watch the cost of your remodeling project is product choices. Determine what you want to live with and then what you can live with that won’t sacrifice the outcomes and remember to make those decisions up front. 

#4  Don’t start until you have all the components in hand.  

Once you make a decision to “just do it,” you want to see progress. But first things are first.  Delays in projects we’ve seen are frequently due to slower-than-expected delivery dates for appliances, plumbing fixtures, even simple things like door hardware. When days and then weeks creep without progress, no one is going to be happy.

Go through the design process first and choose and decide on everything in advance.  This will define your budget and prevent hasty (and costly) decisions later in the project. Be sure to include all your product and material selections in the contract to avoid confusion and unnecessary change orders. Then make sure that every single item is sitting somewhere ready for the contractor to install prior to demolition. 

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#5  Don’t take a back seat and leave it all to the experts to get it done.

• CASE STUDY : By ordering cabinets, plumbing fixtures, hardware and lighting well in advance, this master bath was completed in less than a month from demo to completion. 

Once you have decided who to hire, the components you’ve selected (and ordered) and the time and budget you can live with, don’t stop there. Have a clearly written contract.  Define your other expectations clearly. Your contractor should discuss how the remodeling will affect your life. You need to know how the work will progress, who will be coming to your place – and at what time of day – especially if you sleep in late (but don’t expect to.) 

Make a plan for the rest of the interior, where your personal affects and furniture will be stored during the process, what interior or exterior spaces can be used for cutting and sawing, and how clean-up and disposal of waster will be addressed.  And decide on bathroom privileges up front so there is no misunderstanding. After all a man has got to do what a man has got to do (or women.)

Your contractor should set up regular communication and progress meetings with you. Limit the pleasant conversations, directions, any technical questions or projects concerns with the subs. If you see something that doesn’t seem correct, don’t be afraid to document your concerns in an email, text or fax. A phone call might be fast but does not necessarily document the conversation. 

# 6  Don’t call your neighbor, ask the handyman or get help at the hardware store. 

Understanding the client's needs is critical to a project's success.

Mistakes, indecisions and delays can lead to confusion and more costs. Choose the experience of an interior design professional as your guidance counselor. It can prove to be beneficial to have an expert on your side, especially one who has dealt with the remodel process to help during those critical decision-making times.

Think of hiring a professional designer as you would any accountant, physician or attorney.  These experts are capable by their experience, education and examination to assist with making the right choices and proper selections and can become your advocate during disagreements.

And if you’re still fearful, then you’re next step is to make a call to us. A “get-to-know-you” on-site visit is complimentary if you are in the Coachella Valley.  We also work with many outside of our location in Palm Springs using the Internet, in fact as far away as New York, Chicago, Vancouver and Seattle.  These days it is quite easy to help most clients with their projects, communicating with computer aided drawings, digital photos and video tools like Skype and FaceTime.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, here is our contact info .....
VOICE: 760-322-3784 Extension 2# or   /   To drop us an email here...  CLICK HERE

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Michael A. Thomas, FASID, CAPS is a nationally recognized interior designer, author and educator with more than 30 years in the profession.  He is a Certified Aging In Place Specialist, the co-author of "Residential Design For Aging In Place" and a former National President of ASID.  His work has been published and quoted in various media including Palm Springs Life, Houston Chronicle, Florida Home + Garden, Miami Herald, Dwell Magazine and extensively profiled in Interiors + Source magazine. He currently serves as the President of the Design Alliance for Accessible Sustainable Environments. From an office and studio in downtown Palm Springs, CA, his remodeling and new construction projects extend from southern California to Florida, from New York to Vancouver. Currently he is completing the design for the historic rehabilitation for the original Palm Springs library built in 1941, the Welwood Murray Memorial Library. 


The Design Collective Group, Inc. 
Design Pure + Simple
301 N Palm Canyon Drive
Showroom #103
Palm Springs, CA 92262