Tag Archives: Remodeling Project

Who Will Build Your Next Remodeling Project?

This entry was posted in Home and Family Lifestyle, Home Remdodeling and tagged , , , , , , , , , , on by .

Design Build Planners works as project designers taking our clients through the design and development portion of a remodeling project. This includes the conceptual design using dollhouse overviews and CAD, written scope of work with line item pricing, +/- options, design appropriate product selection allowances (along with introductions to Design Build Planners  Showroom Partners), and calendar schedules outlining project timelines.

At that point, approximately 70% of our clients elect to use one of our full service, turn key, Network Remodelers. You can read about what separates our remodelers here. How do the other 30% of our clients get their projects completed? There are three options:

  • Build it themselves
  • GC it themselves
  • Use a remodeler outside of our network

Below are two reviews from clients who used DBP’s design and development services, but chose a remodeler outside of our network. As you can tell, this option certain adds some variability to the situation. While DBP works for the client and NOT the remodeler, most clients find that our “ground rules” for our network remodelers along with our vetting process goes a long way in terms of getting the project completed in a manner that leaves all parties happy.

Continue reading

Remodeling Project Protection

This entry was posted in Home and Family Lifestyle and tagged , , , , on by .

Remodeling Project Protection

Zip Wall dust protection - Design Build PlannersImagine thinking the following scenario…

“Once again we were ready to do some remodeling. Our home had some much needed renovation work which we were about to tackle. But – – I remembered the last time when we were working on installing the kitchen cabinets. What a conglomeration of dirt, saw dust and confusion that was. How on earth were we going to avoid a repeat performance of that scenario?”

Continue reading

Guest Blog Opportunity for Remodelers

This entry was posted in Remodeling Industry Information, Remodeling Project Photos and tagged , , on by .

 

Guest blog opportunity for remodelers from Design Build PlannersWe invite remodelers to create a guest blog about a recently completed project that Design Build Planners will publish on our website and then promote throughout our vast social media network. This is a very good opportunity for remodeling companies. Since DBP are project designers and not contractors, any appropriate lead inquires from a specific blog for remodeling work will be referred back to that remodeling company. Continue reading

10 Things to Discuss Before Your Remodeling Project Starts

This entry was posted in Remodeling Industry Information and tagged , on by .

10 Things to Discuss Before Your Remodeling Project Starts

by Addie Merrick-Phang

A remodel can, at the very least, be stressful. At its worst it can be a complete nightmare but there’s good news, it does not have to be! Having open communication with your contractor from the very start will eliminate many of the headaches that make a remodel so uncomfortable. To help ease the pain we have devised a list of the top things you need to review with your contractor before construction begins.

  1. DBP calender guyStart and End Times: No one likes being woken up by a jack hammer. So, agreeing on when to start and when to end construction each day is key to managing your stress level. Knowing when workers will be coming and going will eliminate surprises and let you schedule your own routine. This way your schedule and that of your construction team don’t have to overlap.
  2. Children and Pets: If you’re worrying all day about Fido getting out or your kids playing in the construction zone after school you’re most likely not going to be winning employee of the month. Make sure to review special instructions regarding your kids and pets with your crew. Barriers can be set and gates can be kept closed. Keeping your loved ones safe is just as important to your crew. They ideally need to focus on your project, not whether or not a child or pet is going to run off with their expensive tools.
  3. Project Access: It’s important to know how your construction crew will gain access to the work site. Will you always be home to let them in and out or do they need a key? You don’t want them wasting time waiting for you to return from an errand just to let them inside. Should they use the side, front or back door? Agreeing on these points will help keep your project on schedule and construction mess contained.
  4. Parking: Parking is different in every neighborhood. Some areas require permits, have street cleaning days, or other restrictions on parking. Make sure your contractor is aware of all of these. It is also important to agree in advance on what to do if a parking ticket is issued to a member of your crew. Parking is not something you want to be dealing with on a regular basis so get this out of the way in order to focus on more important things.
  5. Toilet Facilities: Everyone has to go, but no one wants muddy boot prints in their guest powder room. Agree on this upfront, if the crew will need to rent a porta-john they need to know before they roll up for demo day.
  6. Utilities: It is the nature of construction, your utilities will be switched on and off, sometimes multiple times a day. A good contractor will give you notice if a utility will be down for more than a single work day but, just in case, make sure to go over this with them. If there are any important electronics that will need to be reset, such as a fish tank or alarm system make sure your crew knows.
  7. Preparing for Construction: This encompasses many things that are regularly forgotten such as: packing up the work site, preparing the yard, and laying dust and floor protection. To make sure things go smoothly right out of the gate, agree with your contractor about what you will be packing up and what you expect them to move for you. It is also important to let them know what parts of your landscaping and interior need to be protected.
  8. Design-Build-Remodeling-InvestmentBilling and Payments: Cash flow is an important cog in the remodeling machine. Make sure you and your contract agree on a billing and payment schedule up front.
  9. Change Orders: Unforeseen things pop up, new idea’s arise and some fixtures just don’t look as good in person. Regardless of the reason, Change Orders are a natural part of large remodels. Discuss how they will be handled at the start so you are not surprised when the first one comes along.
  10. On Going Communication: Make sure you know who to go to during construction. Will it be the Foreman, sales person or lead carpenter? Talking to one person throughout the course of construction will keep the line of communication clear and make the process simpler for everyone involved.

This is a guest blog courtesy of our friends at Merrick Design and Build in Maryland.

Here is the original blog: http://remodelwithmerrick.com/10-things-to-discuss-at-your-construction-job-start-meeting/

 

How to Remove Wallpaper

This entry was posted in Home and Family Lifestyle and tagged , , , , on by .

removal of old wallpapersHow to Remove Wall Paper

To begin the process of removing wall paper, you will need a wallpaper solvent, a chemical (tri-sodium phosphate (TSP) in this case), drop cloth or plastic sheeting, spackling compound, sandpaper, wallpaper steamer, a perforating tool, tools to scrape the wallpaper out.

Continue reading

Common Remodeling Project Complaints

This entry was posted in Jason Parsons, Neil Parsons, Remodeling Industry Information, Tips for Selecting a Remodeler and tagged , , , , , on by .

Almost without exception, each homeowner that Design Build Planners meets with has either had a bad, past remodeling experience or knows someone personally that has. The seven most common remodeling project complaints that DBP hears begin with:

  • http://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photography-couple-arguing-expenses-image29661362“The project took way too long…”
  • “My house and yard were a mess…”
  • “Too many surprises, extra costs…”
  • “I couldn’t communicate with the workers…”
  • “They would not call me back…”
  • “No project schedule…”
  • “I had to manage the project myself…” Continue reading

On Time Remodeling Project Design Consultation Guarantee

This entry was posted in Tips for Selecting a Remodeler and tagged , , , on by .

On time remodeling project design consultation guarantee - Design Build PlannersIn April of 2014, New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio, when asked about his continued tardiness for events and meetings, stated that being on time is not that important. His critics, including former Mayor, Rudy Giuliani, feel De Blasio’s chronic late arrivals are a result of being unorganized and are quite rude.

Design Build Planners understands that your time is extremely valuable. If a DBP Project Designer is late for their first meeting of the day, regardless of the reason, they will pay the homeowner $1.00 for each minute past the scheduled project design consultation time. If your appointment is not the first of the day, Design Build Planners will contact you upon leaving the previous meeting to update you as far as the estimated time of arrival. This commitment to timeliness and professionalism is just one of many company policies designed to make homeowners remodeling experiences more professional and pleasant. Continue reading