Tips and Advice
Some things to remember:
Preparation is key, and having the material selection in advance will speed up the process.
Avoiding mistakes or change-orders could save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars on the project, especially if you’re planning an upscale remodel. You’re also more likely to enjoy and be excited by the experience if everything runs smoothly. When a project is seamlessly executed, the comfort, style, and quality of the finished project is ensured. In addition, if a client makes any substantial changes at any point during construction or after completion, these are considered change-orders and will incur additional costs.
Now that you’re committed to the idea of starting a new project, you probably want it done tomorrow. However, poor planning is the leading cause of delays and money loss on these projects, so make sure everything is worked out before you get started. Nothing is more expensive than doing things twice. Depending on the size and scope of your project, you should spend several weeks to a few months on the planning process. Of course Cowgirl Construction can help, but in the end it is up to you to have a good idea of what you want.
By hiring professionals like Cowgirl Construction, you are ensuring that they are highly skilled and know what they are doing. A good contractor can make a low-cost tile look expensive, but on the flipside, you could spend a fortune on tile, and a bad tile layer will make it look cheap. Ask your contractor if your project will require additional skilled workers. This will ensure that this cost is included in your final estimate. Another thing to remember is that out of town projects may incur additional costs for transportation, and if you are located a great distance from Calgary, there may be housing costs includes in your estimate.
When you are planning the space and envisioning what you want, try to come up with a design that keeps the major plumbing lines in place. Moving a sink or toilet from one wall to another will mean relocating a drain line in a home, which can incur additional and substantial costs.
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Another common mistake made in starting a new home project, is choosing the least expensive items solely based on price. That may be alright for some items, but those items that get the most use should be of good quality – you don’t want to fix or replace them any time soon. For example; Lifetime warranties that cover leaks and stains have become more common on all but the cheapest faucets. PVD (physical vapor deposition) finishes resist scratching, but drain cleaners can stain them slightly. High-quality chrome is also pretty durable, but can be scratched if you rub it with a heavy-duty scouring pad. (Which is never really a good idea anyway.)
Bathroom fixtures have become more water-efficient over the years, but the trend towards unique or heavily accessorized showers often leads to higher bills. Often with his and her dual shower heads, or even that trendy unit that includes multiple showerheads and body sprays, your water and energy usage goes up quite drastically. Incorporating these into your project could also require an upgrade to your bathroom’s existing drain and plumbing lines – yet another expense. In addition, some fixtures may require you to upgrade or add another water-heater as well. Nobody enjoys running out of hot water before they are finished in the shower!
Tile is another material that you touch and feel each day, so ensure that you’re getting what you really want. While you can find quality options for a reasonable price, super cut-rate tiles may have slight size and pattern inconsistencies. This can result in crooked lines that make a room look less than perfect.
So where can you save money?
Light fixtures tend to perform the same across most price points, so it’s style and design that you are choosing – and of course it’s the high-end or unique designs that costs more. You might also find that opting for a basic finish on faucets and fixtures can save you hundreds without compromising on quality. Quite often homeowners choose to spend more on items that are in high-profile areas, while saving some money on the items in less visible areas.
One of the biggest complaints about a renovation project is the dust. On larger projects, homeowners usually leave for the duration. However, every effort is made to ensure the cleanliness of the rest of your home by cordoning off the project area. Even so, there may be slight amounts of dust that escape. It’s best to leave everything as is until the project is done. Cowgirl Construction will make every attempt to preserve a clean and healthy environment during construction, and will ensure a thorough clean-up of the project area upon completion. Once that is done, you are free to employ your feather duster on any errant dust-bunnies!
Once your project is complete, you may decide that you are so happy that you would like to carry on with further projects. In rare instances, you may wish to change something that you had originally wanted. In both cases this would require a new estimate and contract. If it is something small, this is considered a change-order and will be up to the discretion of Cowgirl Construction as to if there will be any additional charges.