Within the remodeling industry, you’ll find a number of different professionals who specialize in various elements of home improvement. Many remodeling projects do not require design services – just the experience of a qualified general contractor. Significant changes to a room, or a room addition, will involve a higher level of complexity, including a construction plan, permitting and engineering services.
You can opt to bring in a number of professionals – bathroom remodeling contractors, kitchen bath designers, suppliers – or you can look for a design-build professional who offers a turnkey solution to your home improvement project.
Most of us think about design as being the look and style of the finished product. However, engineering is an important part of the design process, and what’s inside or behind the wall is every bit as important as how the wall looks. A design/build contractor offers the expertise to take your project from concept to finish-out in one cohesive process.
It all starts with the plan – being able to take your vision for your home and translate it into a working blueprint takes education, experience and skill. Design-build contractors will also have extensive experience in local building codes and the permitting process needed to get your project going and ensure that it will run smoothly and without interruption from mandatory inspections.
Professional residential remodeling contractor and design-build contractors will also be able to take your ideas and spell out options based on your budget and timeframe, so that you have a clear understanding of how much the work will cost and when it will be completed. Timelines and payment schedules should be included n the written contract.
Design-build professionals can also help you with function. While stunning design features can win awards, true design excellence comes from the use and flow of space and the functionality of that space. Determining where you want electrical outlets, telephone jacks and cable hook-ups are important, as is the type of lighting, current and future storage needs, and insulation and other green practices that will help your home run more efficiently.
Sound expensive? It can be, but an experienced design-build professional can offer money-saving tips without sacrificing quality – or taking shortcuts.
How do you find a design-build professional to handle the whole process for you and guide you through all the decision-making? You can start with professional associations such as the National Kitchen & Bath Association, the National Association of the Remodeling Industry and the National Association of Home Builders. These professional organizations can direct you to remodeling contractors who have invested in education and passed rigorous tests to earn particular certifications.
From the referral lists you get from prospective remodelers, talk to past customers about both the finished product and the customers’ experience. If possible, see if you can actually visit a completed project to get a feel for the level of quality and functionality.
Not every contractor has the skill set or experience needed to build in efficiency and function as a part of the initial design. It’s important to understand what’s behind the photo in a portfolio or on a Web site – and be able to apply best practices for each unique design concept. You don’t have to think like an engineer or designer to get what works for you – as long as you turn to the professional home remodeling Dallas contractors who do.
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