Preparing for an entire home renovation

Well - the time has come!  I have been working with a lovely family for just over a year in preparing for an entire home renovation project.  When I met with my clients, we discussed their wants, wishes and dreams.  Throughout this entire process, we have looked at a lot of different scenarios and design plans.  We have looked at actually tearing down and rebuilding a totally new house.  In the end, as we have worked through all the processes, we have solidified a plan that gives my clients a home that they see themselves in for a very long time.  Their home designed for their family and their lifestyle.Here is how the house sits 'As Is':It is a fairly typical bungalow for the age of the home with the exception of the front family room.  That family room used to be a garage.  It is a great size room that their family and extended family can hang out in!Throughout this process, we have gone over many different scenarios on how to redesign this home.  In the end, here is the final plan that is going to transform this home:As you may be able to see, the family room is going to stay where it is as my clients love the fact that it is closed off from the rest of the house yet still accessible and open just enough (we are going to add an additional entry way to this room and both doors will be glass doors).  While most clients I work with want the more open concept, my clients love the fact that the family room is tucked away.The two biggest changes are opening up the kitchen and making a master retreat.  As you may notice, this home is going from a 3 bedroom home (on the main floor), to a 2 bedroom home.  Please note, there is a fully developed basement that has one bedroom (and we may be adding one more bedroom downstairs too)!There is also one major component that we are adding to this entire home renovation plan.  This home is designed for a future wheelchair.  Without getting into details, there is a need to prepare for a wheelchair in the future.  All doors are going to be 36" wide and every hallway will be a minimum of 40" (while most are 42").

Preparing for an entire home renovation

When preparing for an entire home renovation, my clients asked if they thought they could live in the basement while the work was going on upstairs.  This always comes up in conversation and while I can't make anyone move out, it really is the best case scenario for this type of renovation.  We are talking the entire main floor is being worked on.  Walls are coming down, ceilings are coming down, new walls built, there's a ton of plumbing (that will lead into work in the basement), there is a lot of electrical work being done that will also lead into work in the basement.  There will be massive amounts of noise, massive amounts of dust (and yes - I know - my word "massive" is just how I look at things).  My advice to my clients is this:  if you can afford to move out for the 4 - 5 months, then do it!In preparing for an entire home renovation project, here is the 'to do' list I gave my clients:

• Secure a place to live in for the duration of the renovation.  Now, this isn't always as easy as it seems because most places like to have a least a 6 month to 1 year committment.  My clients were fortunate to secure a place (however it is on the other side of our city).
• Start packing!  When a renovation this size, everything needs to be moved out.  What does that mean?
  • Everything needs to be packed up like you are moving out. That means you will need boxes to pack things into.
  • You need to decide what will go into 'storage' and what you need to live at the rental. This may mean you need to rent a storage locker of find a space for your furniture.  My clients are lucky that they have a garage where most items will be stored.
  • Everything needs to be moved out prior to work starting. For my clients, this includes the basement as well.
• Get mentally prepared!  I wrote a blog about being on the Renovation Rollercoaster.  While there is a lot of work to get done prior to anything being started, there will be times where you wish (and think) that everything should be going faster than it is.  When you mentally prepare for those things, you know what to expect and how to shift your thinking to get you through.

Moving Forward

Today is a huge day as it is a trade day.  All of the trades are coming in to do their walkthrough and to ensure we have everything planned out.  This renovation is slated to start at the beginning of August.  I'll be using my Facebook page to document the progress and post some live video.  I hope you'll hop over there to come along this journey with me.To end, I'll give you a little taste as to what this home is going to look like:

Whole house plan

View from the front door

View of the kitchen

Looking to plan your next renovation?  Contact me today to discuss how to renovate with confidence!