We build with expertise

Our new Knowledge Center is where you can access helpful and valuable information. Some of it is based on our more than 25 years of experience and accomplishments in design, remodeling, and building. Some are industry resources. All of it is a reflection of our commitment to your complete satisfaction.

One sure way to move forward with confidence in a successful remodeling project is to arm yourself with solid information.

The following articles are packed with valuable information, some of which comes from the contents of our Successful Remodeling Workshop series.

Article 1: Top 10 Tips for Successful Remodeling

Whether your home is less than five years old or an historic property, sooner or later you may join the millions of people who remodel their homes each year. The reasons for remodeling are as varied as the projects themselves. You may choose to remodel to add comfort, convenience, space, and ultimately to enhance your investment in what may be your most valuable asset. Or, remodeling may be your opportunity to realize a dream of fine architectural design and beautiful living spaces.

When it comes to planning, designing, and building successfully, we offer you these 10 tips, based on our 25 years of remodeling accomplishments.

1. Start by asking yourself several basic questions, even before any design work begins:
- What are the objectives of the project and what are the problems the project should solve?
- Will it comply with your city’s planning department regulations?
- What is your budget? And how long will it take?
- Where will you live during construction?

Answer these questions on your own or with the help of professionals.

2. Organize and list your project priorities—all the things you want to add or change—by Needs/Wants/Wishes.

Needs are those “must do’s” as if you are listing what you would most regret not doing. Wants are the items you would like to add or change, but they are not absolutes. Wishes are what you would love to do, but may not be financially feasible.

3. Compile a list of all you want to do, and before the design work begins, make sure that it will comply with your city’s planning department regulations.

Pay attention to even the small details. The consequences of designing something that can’t be built will mean compromises down the road. And note that zoning regulations differ from town to town, can vary in different parts of your town, and they can change without notice. Work with your professional to go to each and every town department for review and approval of your plans.

4. Be clear about the money you have and are prepared to spend.

Balance this against the project you want to do, considering the increase in value to the quality of your life and the added value to your home.

5. Thoroughly plan your project early and during the design phase and consider all costs, including such items as landscaping, new furniture needs, window treatments, and more.

This will guard against unforeseen changes that can drive up construction costs.

6. Give yourself as much time as possible during the design process.

It’s a lot easier to change designs early on than when the project is in the working drawing phase, or worse, has been built. Also, get started early, at least six to nine months ahead of the start of construction.

7. Have a professional designer help with the selections of materials, colors, etc. so that the most informed options are identified and decisions are made.

An Interior Designer provides an abundance of information and savvy to pricing and buying.

8. Be realistic about the length of time the building will take. Major remodels of a kitchen or bath may take six to 12 weeks. Additions will typically take four to six months or longer. New homes will take four to 12 months or more.

9. Work with a firm that does both design and construction and uses an organized project delivery system.

Such firms, sometimes referred to as design/build companies, provide a single source of accountability for all facets of the project. The project system ensures a smooth process from stage to stage. Build-able plans are identified early in the process. And you’ll save time and money in the long run.

10. Throughout the project, plan on communicating with your team often, check the work as it is being done, and be nice to yourself: go out to dinner; get away for a weekend or a vacation; and maintain as much normal-ness as possible.

Tell us about the remodeling or building project of your dreams. All you need to make your dream a reality and a success is here at Mitchell. Call 508-359-7904 today.

Article 2

The “Time and Money” Laws of Remodeling

Eventually, you’ll ask, “okay, how long will this take and what’s it going to cost?” It’s a good question. And it deserves a good answer. Here you go.

A well-planned remodeling project has several phases, and each phase requires an allotment of time and patience. With ample time given, they will help ensure a project completed on time. On the other hand, cutting corners in any one of the phases, especially the earliest ones, can add more time to latter phases of the project.

If we divide all phases in to two groups, “planning” and “building,” we can simplify this for the sake of this article.

During the planning phases, making decisions regarding the scope of the project, design decisions, and checking permit requirements will help keep the building phases on time. For example, it’s a lot easier to change designs early on than when the project is in the working drawing phase, or worse, has been built. It takes time to check permit requirements, develop practical designs and plans based on those requirements, and then have them reviewed and approved.

We recommend that you give yourself as much time as possible and get started early, at least six to nine months ahead of the start of construction. Planning can take longer if decision-making is naturally a long-term process for you. Several professionals need to do their jobs when working with you to plan your project. Give them the time they need. Don’t rush, especially the early stages of planning.

One professional who can help is an Interior Designer. When our Designer works with our clients, her assistance with the options and choices for materials, colors, etc. helps in a number of ways, including a faster process. With her, decisions are informed and smart. This ensures fewer regrets about the selections down the road, too.

The building phase, when a project involves electrical and plumbing changes of any kind, along with modifications to finishes, rarely can be completed in less than four to six weeks. To be sure, the actual scope of the project will contain a number of variables, so it’s fair to say that no two projects are exactly the same.

Still, on average, the building of major remodels of a kitchen or bath generally take six to 12 weeks. Additions will typically take three-and-a-half to six months or longer. New homes will take four to 12 months or longer.

Regarding the projection of costs and the budgeting of your remodeling project, it’s helpful to review some of the considerations that affect the cost.

First, we suggest that it’s important for you to be clear about the money you have and would consider spending on your remodel. Balance this against the project you want to do, the value it will bring to the quality of your life, as well as to the value it adds to your home.

Because it’s so important to start with your budget, perhaps the greatest piece of advice we can give you is to make sure that your architect or designer has accurate knowledge of hard costs and knows what you can spend. It’s unfortunate when plans are developed that are out of line with a client’s resources.

The challenging part of this topic is that construction costs vary by project. There is no hard and fast rule to “the average master suite addition” or to “the average kitchen remodel.” Therefore, we build into the planning and design phases a process to work with each client’s budget and a projection of actual costs for their endeavor.

You can call us to discuss this, and we will provide you with ranges of costs for different types of projects, such as mid-range to upscale kitchen remodels, additions of family rooms and master bedroom suites, as well as mid-range to upscale bathroom remodels. Within the context of what you are planning, we can get more specific.

Also important and helpful to know are the other considerations, some of which are not commonly regarded, including such items as the difficulty and costs for the builder to physically get into the area to be remodeled. Some logistical or structural issues can make access more complex. For example, does the builder have to walk through the house, or can they go around to a door that opens directly to the work area? Special equipment may be required to gain access.

Expenses associated with protecting certain areas of the house need to be considered. A dust protection application may be desired.

Where you live in the house during construction may have an impact. Will a temporary kitchen be desired? Is a temporary laundry to be included?

When the remodeling or addition is completed, landscaping, window treatments, new furniture, and other needs will have be part of the overall cost of the project.

Clearly, time and money are factors involving many facets. You have control over both, especially when you work with a team that apply the processes or system to manage and both. This way, your project can be planned, designed, and completed on time and on budget.