How should I plan home remodel?

Remodeling can help you fall in love with your home all over again. But a significant home remodel may be one of the biggest investments you ever make, so planning carefully for success is a good idea.

Winter is a great time to start planning a remodel. Designers and builders will be less busy so that you can get on their schedule more quickly. Outlining plans as early as possible helps you prepare wisely and budget accordingly.

All renovation jobs have both a design and build phase, but often, the design is handled on the spot by the pro. However, you’ll have separate design and build processes once you get into bigger jobs, such as a complete kitchen remodel or a new home addition. Sometimes, design and build come from the same company. Other times, two separate pros will work together. If you have your heart set on a particular designer or contractor, ask them what pros they often work with on projects like yours.

Hiring and cost

Some designers charge a flat fee, others an hourly rate. The design cost is often a percentage of the final job itself. You can hire either an architect or a specialized home designer. (In some cases, your state or local regulators may require an architect or structural engineer, especially if the work involves load-bearing walls.) Architects have more education and licensing requirements, so you’ll pay more for an architect. However, that comes with more resources to help you if things go wrong, such as insurance, licensing boards, and experience. A home designer will cost less; in some cases, they’ll have specific expertise for your job, such as kitchen or bathroom renovations.

Quite often, the cost is determined by how involved they will be in the entire project. If a designer supervises construction, for example, expect to pay somewhat more. On average, you’ll pay 7 percent to 10 percent of the build’s cost for an architect and 3 percent to 5 percent for a home designer.

When hiring an architect or designer, find out early on what kind of communication style they have. It’s critically important that you communicate smoothly to get the job done. Your job is to let them know what you want. Their job is to visualize a way to make it real. Ask what involvement they’ll have once the job is underway.

Since most home designers aren’t licensed by state or local authorities, one of the best methods to determine their experience is to ask if they hold accreditation or membership in respected trade organizations. For instance, the National Kitchen and Bath Association certifies designers who have completed a certain amount of education.