Project Planning

Though overused, the cliché “Fail to Plan and Plan to Fail” holds very true when it comes to remodeling projects as well as other home improvement projects. Planning a remodeling project is critical for success, and one of the first decisions you’ll need to make when planning a remodeling project is whether or not you’ll do any work yourself. Since a home is a large investment worth protecting, thoughtful planning is needed to determine what improvements you want and can afford, and whether or not any of these projects fit your available time and skill level. Many “Do it Yourself” home remodelers bite off more than they can chew. Having a contractor come in to finish up “your project” often costs more that the project would have had the contractor done the whole job from start to finish.

Your home represents a big investment — perhaps the largest of your lifetime. Safeguard and update your property with careful planning of home remodeling projects to make sure they add value, comfort and safety to your home.

Think ahead to determine your needs in the next few years, especially if you have a growing family or may have elderly parents coming to live with you. And keep in mind that professional remodelers like JHRR can help you during the planning phase by outlining options and discussing the improvements you can make within your budget.

Start With a List of Needs and Desires

Before you launch into a major remodeling project, walk around your home and property, then sit down and make a list of shortcomings … structural issues, overdue maintenance tasks, safety concerns and inconveniences. Next, make a list of “wish list” projects … remodeling ideas or luxury installations you’ve always wanted for your home.

Plan Financing Well In Advance

It’s usually best to save up cash in advance for your home remodeling projects, but if you budget carefully and shop for financing, interest rates can be factored in to other remodeling project expenses and evaluated accordingly. Talk to lenders in advance and make sure you understand all of the terms of a financing agreement before you take the plunge.

After drawing up some thumbnail sketches, doing some preliminary planning and juggling your finances, you’ve decided to go ahead with that home remodeling project you’ve been considering. What comes next?

Select Qualified Remodeling Assistance

Again, check your skill set and your schedule before undertaking a remodeling project to make sure you have both the know-how and the time to see it through to completion. If you have any doubts, considering enlisting the services of Jacksonville Home Repair and Remodeling. When we come out to do a consultation and estimate you will notice the difference immediately. We want you to be our Customers for Life. Customers for Life is just not a saying or a motto…it is the way we do business.

Be prepared for a lot of questions. More often than not we can give you many different options that you may not have thought of. It’s OK if you don’t have all of the answers right then. Part of our job is to help you design your project around your needs and desires. If we didn’t ask a lot of questions, there’s no way we can adequately estimate the cost of your remodeling project or finish your project in the way you envision. When you have answered all the questions we will give you a written proposal for your consideration and approval. It will outline in detail exactly what services we will be providing. Our customer service is excellent and your satisfaction is guaranteed. We stand behind our work and we will put it in writing with a Written Warranty. Ask the “other guys” for a written warranty and watch the expression on their face.

Living With a Remodeling Project

Once you have approved the JHRR proposal and you have scheduled a start date, prepare your home–and yourself–for what’s about to come. Keep in mind that unreasonable expectations will always lead to disappointment, and no project has ever been completed to perfection.

Expect the Unexpected

Late deliveries, strikes, shipment shortages, wrong parts, oversights, rain, changes, etc. are all par for the course in a major remodeling project. Monitor progress and maintain constant communication with us. Some delays are inevitable, and many are beyond our control.

Keep Things in Perspective

For example: a paint drop isn’t the end of the world, but a paint trail leading down the hallway should be pointed out by you, and will be made right by JHRR promptly. We will do our best to notice the little things. Please be patient and know that all of your concerns will be addressed.

Protect Your Belongings

Dust and dirt from demolition and construction activities is unavoidable, but you can minimize the impact by covering everything possible, keeping doors closed and sealing off construction areas with plastic sheeting. Dirt and dust will be a fact of life until your project is completed, but JHRR will make effort and take the time to keep work areas as clean as possible throughout the project.

Stay Calm and Flexible

Try to understand the difficulties of managing a project inside someone else’s home, and remember that some inconvenience is to be expected. You may have to plan to be without water or power at various stages in your project. Please remember that JHRR is as anxious as you are to finish the job. We would rather have a project run a little bit longer and be done right, then to rush it through and not have completed it to the best of our abilities.