Question: What should I expect to happen during a remodel?

Answer: Remodeling projects have common high and low points for many owners. If you are a seasoned remodeling veteran, you may already know what to expect. However, if you have not lived through a remodeling project before, you are probably approaching the project with some degree of anticipation.

Here are the high and low points that naturally occur in the course of remodeling:

First, every remodeling job creates some degree of disorder, dust and inconvenience. People will be tearing apart your house and putting it back together again-many of them you have never met. However, you can expect our crews and subcontractors to respect the fact that this is your home they are working in and not a vacant warehouse. Please let us know if you have any problems in this area so that we can take immediate steps to correct them.

Second, remodeling proceeds in stages. The initial stage is the plan and permit process. After this process is complete the demolition phase begins.

In the early demolition stage you will see new faces around your home. The insides of your house may be exposed and utility services may be intermittently interrupted. Dust, debris piles, and dumpsters will be visible around the work area. This can be stressful, however this phase goes quickly, and will be cleaned up just as rapidly. Once the framing nears completion, people usually feel more at ease.

After the framing is completed and the plumbing, electrical, and mechanical work are under way, the project can appear to slow down because the progress is not as dramatic and visible as in the framing phase. However, a lot of detail work is done at the time. For instance, there are many required inspections by building officials. It's critical that the work be done thoroughly at this point prior to insulation and closing the walls with drywall.

Next comes the drywall stage, which is exciting for most people. When the walls are covered with drywall, suddenly the rooms take on their true proportions. At this point you can start to imagine what it will be like to move back in.

The final phase is the finishing work. This work can seem to take a long time - grading and exterior concrete flat work; interior/exterior painting; installation of: all interior doors and finish woodwork, cabinets, tile, floor coverings, finish plumbing, electrical fixtures, shelving, closet poles, mirrors, shower doors, hardware, appliances, etc. - This stage requires a fair amount of time and the efforts of many people. However be assured that with our well-coordinated staff, your project will be completed quicker than you realize. Your ideas and plans have now been transformed into the new house that we know you will enjoy.