Renovation and Floor Plan required

3 years ago

posting this for a friend. She currently is looking to renovate/ remodel the main floor of her home. she may require structural changes, kitchen , living room etc. She has no idea what can be done and needs to have someone come in, measure and come up with a plan within her budget. Who should she be calling for quotes? kitchen designers? remodellers? architect? thank you.

Comments (9)

PRO
Celadon
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
What is “within her budget”? 50K? 150k? 500K? That is the biggest constraint, and she can’t be shy about sharing it.

Start with a kitchen designer. And a very generous budget for such an ambitious idea. The KD will have contacts to contractors and others. Prices are up on every single thing across the board.

Expect “your friend” to get qualified hard on the budget front. If she won’t be real about that, she isn’t ready to start a project. No one ever has an unlimited budget. Just unlimited dreams. Those dreams need to be whittled down and prioritized.
darbuka
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
We hired a general contractor, and went from there. The contractor will be better qualified to determine which walls are load bearing, and he will have contacts throughout the industry.

Contractors will usually have their own crew for demo, tiling, and painting...and contacts for all that comes after...electricians, plumbers, kitchen designers, cabinet showrooms, wood flooring specialists, and stone yards. Our GC even directed us to an independent appliance dealer who is authorized to service all the high end appliances we bought...we got the contractors discount, plus the dealer upgraded the dishwasher, free of charge.
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Kari Weber
Original Author
3 years ago
she has a number of 80 k destined for the project. I wasn't trying to be evasive. what I was trying to say is that sometimes people start out by saying it will cost a certain amount and then the price changes. without of course hidden items that are out of her control. wiring, plumbing etc. I know with any renovation there are things that pop up. I would expect whoever she gets would work a certain amount as a contingency for those things , keeping in mind that things can change. Right now she is overwhelmed and not even sure who to start with. she doesn't have any idea on what is possible for her budget. I hope that is clearer.
PRO
Celadon
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
That will cover a kitchen. Mid level with maybe one upper end splurge. A small wall coming down. A pro style range with ventilation. Ann Sacks tile backsplash. Bookmstched Cambria slabs. One. Not all.

It will not cover remodeling an entire floor of a home with structural changes.
Kari Weber
Original Author
3 years ago
agreed, but at least she would have an idea of what is recommended and what overall cost might be. it is a small bungalow. budget could change depending on the plan. thank you. it used to be a certain amount if money per square foot,does this still apply for a guesstimate?
millworkman
3 years ago
"it used to be a certain amount if money per square foot,does this still apply for a guesstimate?"

Unfortunately that was never really a good metric, and now less than that with Covid. Material prices have gone up exponentially, contractors are busy and have raised their prices accordingly. Lead times and product availability are all over the map.
Kari Weber
Original Author
3 years ago
my "friend" is my sister......
PRO
User
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
80K is a doable target for a kitchen redo in most markets, outside the high cost of living areas. Whether her wish list for that kitchen can be done for 80K depends on that wish list!

This was an 80K project, in a lower cost of living area, before Covid. We took a wall down, and rearranged the layout, with a new lighting plan, and all new everything. She needs a Kitchen Designer paid working consult, to start off with, measurements and pictures ready. If you don’t find someone locally, look for e design. Some of us have done that well before Covid forced them into it!
Gorgeous in Germantown · More Info

Gorgeous in Germantown · More Info
Kari Weber
Original Author
3 years ago
thank you, the pictures are very helpful. we are in canada, so will start looking for a designer. it also might be worthwhile to see if vaccines cause pricing etc to go back down in a year or so if she can wait.