What are the essentials when renovating and potentially selling your home? Where does one start? The first thing is to decide how much you of your home you are renovating, and how much you should spend to achieve your objectives. Once these two key aspects are set, the next step is to determine who you need to get the job done.
The Architect:
Hiring an architect is advisable if you want to something completely unique and you have a budget for this. Architects know how to manage large renovations involving the entire home. Many of them are trained to think and draw creatively, and they often work very closely with their own team of builder/project managers. Keep in mind though, like all things, there are good and bad architects, so always ask friends, family, and colleagues for referrals.
The Interior Designer and Materials Specialist
If you are looking for someone to bring your home together and connect all the materials into a theme, then a Interior Designer is the best way to go. Yes, one can do this by themselves; however, in a time where there so many options out there, choosing product can be overwhelming - hence why people use designers. When choosing your designer, expect to pay for the services, including a retainer. Also interview your designer, make sure you have a good personality fit, and that they have experience and a good list of trades and suppliers to get the work done.
Builder/Project Manager
Unless you have a lot of time, it is highly recommended to use the services of a reliable Builder or Project manager. Managing a project is very time consuming, and project managers have the vocabulary and experience to communicate your and your designer's vision to trades. The Project Manager is like a foreman. They will manage your home renovation by scheduling their trades and tear-out and installation of materials. If you are working with a designer, they will work together on implementing the materials and specifications you have chosen. Make sure to interview your project manager thoroughly. Check how long they have been in business. Do they have store front? Have they done work for friends, neighbours, family, colleagues?
Removals Manager
A well established Project Manager will often have their own garbage removals service, so that means you should not have to worry about this if you are working with a project manager. If you are managing this renovation yourself, make sure to interview several removal services. Waste from home renovations can be filled with surprises - asbestos in older homes, metals, mould, old material that is hard to dispose of.
Home Staging
If you are planning to sell your home after renovating it, consider the services of a home stager. Often Interior Designers offer this service, or they can refer your to a stager. Home staging is a service that also pays for itself - why try to sell your home empty, when you can have it staged for potential buyers?
Realtor
Selling one's home is a stressful experience, it also probably one of the most significant financial transactions one will do in a lifetime. Today the real estate services industry is under major transformation, largely due to the presence of the Internet. If you are planning to hire a real estate agent to sell your home, don't be shy to negotiate the commission you pay them. If you are very comfortable with real estate transactions, you can even go to limited service agents who will list your home and have you do all the showings and legwork.
Glen Phillips - Organzational Manager at www.coordinatedkitchens.com
