7 Questions to Ask Clients Before They Start a Remodel
Professionals on Houzz share what they like homeowners to consider before embarking on a project
Amanda Pollard
August 9, 2021
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors and architecture.
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors... More
Before you start discussing building permits, dimensions and materials, it’s a good idea to get down to basics with a new client to get a clear idea of what needs to be achieved. We asked four professionals on Houzz to tell us the key things they ask homeowners to think about before getting started on a remodel.
1. What Problems Do You Want to Solve?
The best designs often occur when finding a solution to a problem, says Joe Robertshaw of Place for Humans, who asks clients to forget any solutions they’ve seen elsewhere. Instead, he suggests they tell their professional what doesn’t work in their existing home.
“When a client starts the conversation with ‘I would like’ or ‘We are looking to add,’ I want to know why they need it, what problem they think this is going to solve for them,” Robertshaw says. “I ask this to gauge whether their initial ideas will actually solve the original issues or whether they have fallen in love with an aesthetic that is potentially completely unrelated.”
The best designs often occur when finding a solution to a problem, says Joe Robertshaw of Place for Humans, who asks clients to forget any solutions they’ve seen elsewhere. Instead, he suggests they tell their professional what doesn’t work in their existing home.
“When a client starts the conversation with ‘I would like’ or ‘We are looking to add,’ I want to know why they need it, what problem they think this is going to solve for them,” Robertshaw says. “I ask this to gauge whether their initial ideas will actually solve the original issues or whether they have fallen in love with an aesthetic that is potentially completely unrelated.”
2. How Do You Want to Feel in Your New Space?
Susan Van Meter of SVM Interiors asks clients to think about the key elements they feel will bring them the most joy — the must-haves and deal-breakers. “I ask them how they want the final result to make them feel,” she says.
Nicky Percival of Nicky Percival Design emphasizes the importance of color psychology and asks clients to think about which color palette would work for them emotionally.
Says Robertshaw: “It’s not just about the development or the build, but rather them, their personalities and their lifestyles. I ask them to think about the way they use and move around the space they currently have. This will help them broaden the answers to the first point. What would enhance the property to fit around them or what is it lacking completely?”
Find out about Houzz Pro’s 3D Floor Planner tool
Susan Van Meter of SVM Interiors asks clients to think about the key elements they feel will bring them the most joy — the must-haves and deal-breakers. “I ask them how they want the final result to make them feel,” she says.
Nicky Percival of Nicky Percival Design emphasizes the importance of color psychology and asks clients to think about which color palette would work for them emotionally.
Says Robertshaw: “It’s not just about the development or the build, but rather them, their personalities and their lifestyles. I ask them to think about the way they use and move around the space they currently have. This will help them broaden the answers to the first point. What would enhance the property to fit around them or what is it lacking completely?”
Find out about Houzz Pro’s 3D Floor Planner tool
3. What Do You and Your Partner Disagree On?
“If the clients are a couple, we ask both parties to prepare a brief,” says Michael Frain of Bright Design Architects. “This can help to establish the key items required, and also identify early on any potential differing views and needs. These can then be investigated as part of the design process and the optimum solution established.”
Once work starts, trying to make changes can affect things down the line or might not be possible if alterations would affect building permits, Frain says.
“If the clients are a couple, we ask both parties to prepare a brief,” says Michael Frain of Bright Design Architects. “This can help to establish the key items required, and also identify early on any potential differing views and needs. These can then be investigated as part of the design process and the optimum solution established.”
Once work starts, trying to make changes can affect things down the line or might not be possible if alterations would affect building permits, Frain says.
4. What’s Your Real Budget?
Van Meter says clients should have a clear idea of how much they’d like to spend and communicate this to the professional. “The designer will then be able to fulfill the requirements of the project more effectively, saving both client and designer time and money,” she says.
“The client needs to be honest about the budget from the outset,” Frain says. “Part of the role of the professional is to then see what can realistically be achieved for that budget — and if it doesn’t meet the brief, we can discuss whether the budget or brief need to be adjusted.”
He recommends that this happen as early as possible. “Otherwise, there will be a much more painful conversation in store once tender prices come back from builders.” Frain says. “It might literally entail going right back to the beginning, with the impact on time frame.”
He adds that this discussion can also establish whether you’ll need a longer-term master plan, where the work is broken into phases. “Typically, phase one would take care of fundamentals, such as electrics, heating and insulation; phase two additional living space; and phase three additional bedrooms,” Frain says. “This obviously varies based on client, property and budget.”
Van Meter says clients should have a clear idea of how much they’d like to spend and communicate this to the professional. “The designer will then be able to fulfill the requirements of the project more effectively, saving both client and designer time and money,” she says.
“The client needs to be honest about the budget from the outset,” Frain says. “Part of the role of the professional is to then see what can realistically be achieved for that budget — and if it doesn’t meet the brief, we can discuss whether the budget or brief need to be adjusted.”
He recommends that this happen as early as possible. “Otherwise, there will be a much more painful conversation in store once tender prices come back from builders.” Frain says. “It might literally entail going right back to the beginning, with the impact on time frame.”
He adds that this discussion can also establish whether you’ll need a longer-term master plan, where the work is broken into phases. “Typically, phase one would take care of fundamentals, such as electrics, heating and insulation; phase two additional living space; and phase three additional bedrooms,” Frain says. “This obviously varies based on client, property and budget.”
5. When Do You Want the Project to Finish?
“Having a clear time frame is critical to the success of any project,” Frain says. “Working out an overall program — even an outline one — at the start with the client can really pay off in the longer term.”
By identifying potential issues early on, you can find solutions, he says. “A deadline, such as works needing to be completed by a critical date, might rule out a scheme that requires planning permission, for example. Ideally, time to consider initial design options is usually time well spent, as clients may be living with these key early decisions for a long time.”
Frain recommends that clients factor in an extra month for the project. “If a builder says it will take six months but clients don’t need to move back in for seven months, this can significantly de-stress the entire build process,” he says.
To make this process easier, Houzz Pro management software offers a timeline tool, which enables you to plan out a clear schedule of work and share it in real time with your client.
Learn more about Houzz Pro software
“Having a clear time frame is critical to the success of any project,” Frain says. “Working out an overall program — even an outline one — at the start with the client can really pay off in the longer term.”
By identifying potential issues early on, you can find solutions, he says. “A deadline, such as works needing to be completed by a critical date, might rule out a scheme that requires planning permission, for example. Ideally, time to consider initial design options is usually time well spent, as clients may be living with these key early decisions for a long time.”
Frain recommends that clients factor in an extra month for the project. “If a builder says it will take six months but clients don’t need to move back in for seven months, this can significantly de-stress the entire build process,” he says.
To make this process easier, Houzz Pro management software offers a timeline tool, which enables you to plan out a clear schedule of work and share it in real time with your client.
Learn more about Houzz Pro software
6. What Do You Want From Me?
Percival emphasizes to clients the importance of communicating all their practical needs for the project. “I ask them who else is involved, such as architects, contractors and specialist craftsmen,” she says. “Also, what is my level of responsibility — do they need me to project-manage and, if so, for what specifically? Who will I need to liaise with?”
Other things Percival recommends clients ask themselves are whether the building has historic preservation protections and whether they have strong feelings about sustainability or ethically sourced products.
Percival emphasizes to clients the importance of communicating all their practical needs for the project. “I ask them who else is involved, such as architects, contractors and specialist craftsmen,” she says. “Also, what is my level of responsibility — do they need me to project-manage and, if so, for what specifically? Who will I need to liaise with?”
Other things Percival recommends clients ask themselves are whether the building has historic preservation protections and whether they have strong feelings about sustainability or ethically sourced products.
7. How Can I Make Your Space Feel Like Home?
Robertshaw asks clients to forget about resale value and think instead about the everyday value their renovation will bring to them. “There seems to be an unjust balance, with the emphasis on the resale value within property development, which I feel is wrong,” he says.
“There’s a train of thought that goes along the lines of ‘If we add the fourth bedroom, it will have more value to others when we sell,’ rather than thinking of how to use and maximize the space for themselves now,” he says.
“A home has an unspoken language that can express the love, happiness and warmth it has witnessed and helped to create within its walls,” Robertshaw says. “To me, that immediately adds more selling value to a property, if people can walk in and feel a loved home. This runs more than just paint-deep.”
Tell us: What do you think clients should ask themselves before embarking on a home project? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
More for Pros on Houzz
Read more stories for pros
Learn about Houzz Pro software
Talk with your peers in the Pro-to-Pro discussions
Join the Houzz Trade Program
Robertshaw asks clients to forget about resale value and think instead about the everyday value their renovation will bring to them. “There seems to be an unjust balance, with the emphasis on the resale value within property development, which I feel is wrong,” he says.
“There’s a train of thought that goes along the lines of ‘If we add the fourth bedroom, it will have more value to others when we sell,’ rather than thinking of how to use and maximize the space for themselves now,” he says.
“A home has an unspoken language that can express the love, happiness and warmth it has witnessed and helped to create within its walls,” Robertshaw says. “To me, that immediately adds more selling value to a property, if people can walk in and feel a loved home. This runs more than just paint-deep.”
Tell us: What do you think clients should ask themselves before embarking on a home project? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
More for Pros on Houzz
Read more stories for pros
Learn about Houzz Pro software
Talk with your peers in the Pro-to-Pro discussions
Join the Houzz Trade Program
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Fantastic Advice.
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Nick
0438-851-882
admin@qualityrenovations.com.au
Great questions,
Another big one we've found that alters the cost is 'will they be living onsite during the build?' the cost of keeping the services running and the place habitable during the renovation can start to mount up, especially on a larger job.
These questions and many more are part of my self guided project programming guide (PPG) that starts every project. If they can't develop a program for THEIR project I will not work with them. The program they develop tells me a lot about them as well. A well developed, complete program saves a lot of time and money and ensures the project is theirs.