Home remodeling is a generally large project that requires pre-planning, permits, and a significant amount of materials. The average amount spent on remodeling is $15,000. When you choose to work with a general contractor, you can expect professionalism and experience. Depending on the size of your project, you may need a consultant to help guide you through the process. Even for a small project, a little advice can go a long way. A contractor can guide you through the requirements to help you avoid common errors. Get your remodeling project on track with the help of contractors.
To get started on your next improvement project in Kirkland, WA, you can work with our talented general contractor team that understands your concerns and ensures realistic project expectations and timely completion of your residential construction or commercial endeavors. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with Home Care Contractors.
You don’t need to buy a brand new home or rebuild your entire house from the ground up to give your home a fresh new look. Home Care Contractors provides custom home remodeling and renovation for kitchens, bathrooms, and whole-house remodels throughout the Kirkland, WA area.
We handle both residential and commercial remodels and offer our customers follow-up maintenance when needed. Once we’ve completed your remodeling project, we ensure your complete satisfaction with the job and check back regularly to confirm everything is working as promised.
Home Care Contractors has been offering top-quality craftsmanship for kitchen and bathroom remodels for more than ten years. Customers consistently express great satisfaction with our professionalism, reliability, and willingness to work with them whenever issues arise regarding cost or scheduling.
It can be tempting to look for the cheapest contractor to do your remodeling work, or someone with the most billboards or flashiest commercials, even if they’re not local. Home Care Contractors’ team of craftsmen and workers has been in your city for ten years, and we’re familiar with the area and the particular needs of the community.
More importantly, if there are any problems with your project, your project manager will be on site in a few minutes, not a few days like some big contractors. Having someone nearby is a significant advantage when you need help immediately and want to complete your project on time.
A home remodel, whether it’s one room or the whole interior, adds ambience and functionality to your property. It increases your property value and adds new life to the residence. Remodeling changes the rhythm and flow of your house by opening up new space.
If you want something new but aren’t sure what, our designers will help you bring your vision to reality. We’ll provide you with options for new materials, appliances, and energy-efficient alternatives for your home that fit within your existing budget and lifestyle.Our initial consultation is free. We’ll discuss your project, provide an estimate and timeline for the job, and once everything is approved, we can begin your project. Call us at 206-556-6024 or leave a message, and someone will contact you to initiate the remodeling process today.
How General Contractors Get the Job Done
You can avoid making terrible errors and permit violations with proper planning. Achieve quality work by taking the necessary steps.
Difference Between Remodeling and Renovation
There is a lot of confusion between the words “renovate” and “remodel,” as they sound like they are the same activity. However, remodel refers to creating something completely brand new after demolishing it. To renovate is to restore an area of your home to its original state, making it look brand new again. Remodeling requires a greater amount of construction compared to renovation, which can involve a combination of refurbishment and latest additions.
What do General Contractors Do
When you work with a team of contractors, this means that your work project will be done correctly. General contractors are familiar with the local codes, permits, and special requirements necessary for home construction.
Project Planning
Any kind of construction project requires a detailed schedule that outlines all activities necessary for its completion. This includes a planned budget and a productivity timeline. Contractors will create a project plan to help them deliver it according to your specifications. They allow you to determine the equipment, material, and subcontractors that are needed. To implement the project, it has to be carefully planned out with risk reduction strategies in mind. Contractors communicate with their subcontractors and team members throughout their work efforts.
Contractors Get Complex Tasks Right
When you take on large renovation projects alone, there are a lot of things that can go wrong. Unexpected mistakes can be avoided with the help of a skilled construction team. For example, removing and relocating walls sounds as simple as knocking down and hanging up new drywall, but it is much more complex. The structural integrity of walls, roofs, and other supporting structures must be built according to rigid protocols. This is something contractors know best. Additionally, if a contractor lacks the necessary experience to complete a project correctly, they hire subcontractors who are experts in their specific industry.
Scope of the Project
To get a home remodeling or improvement project done on time, a general contractor will help keep construction materials within budget, ensuring a realistic project timeline. They will purchase the necessary materials and construction equipment to ensure the project’s timely completion. Some equipment may be rented if it is costly. A pre-planned supply of materials will be obtained cost-effectively. For specialized work in Wa Kirkland, your contractor will interview individual subcontractors before hiring them. You can work closely with your contractor every step of the way, as they oversee all aspects of the construction with expertise and guidance. We provide these services to our valued clients in our business.
Following Local Codes
A general contractor has the expertise to follow particular codes regarding how home construction is performed. There are local building codes and regulations that, if not followed, can result in violation fees and liens. It can be illegal to conduct construction without adhering to building codes and obtaining a permit for the remodeling project. Building codes are not the only minimum requirement for compliance, but they may also include energy codes. If the performance of your home is below the energy code requirements, your utility bills may be higher. A general contractor understands this and will make sure your project doesn’t result in violations, applying careful construction methods and rigorous quality control throughout the process. We provide these services with a commitment to quality for all our clients.
Bonded, Licensed, and Insured
Contractors are licensed, bonded, and insured, which means that they meet the minimum requirements to do business in your state. To obtain a license, certification tests must be completed. Contractors must pass these tests and pay a licensing fee to receive the permit. To be bonded, a business must purchase a surety bond, which serves as a formal agreement. This includes three parties: The principal, the obligee, and the surety. The principal is the purchaser, who is the company that provides services to others. The obligee is a state institution that requires a bond before the principal does business. The surety is the insurance company that provides the bond. This means that if any damages, losses, theft, failures, or other mistakes occur, the other party can file a claim and receive compensation from the insurer. The principal would repay this at a later date. That means that doing business with a bonded general contractor is safer. Your general contractor will also be insured. The risk is placed on the insurance company and not you. Commercial insurance protects the company from suing you for injuries that occurred on your property.
What Are the Benefits You Can Expect
When working with general contractors, you can take a step back while professionals complete the project. You can be in constant communication with them and oversee the project.
No Labor Involved
You may be able to commit yourself to a DIY project, but often it’s simply safer, more effective, and more efficient to let a contractor handle it. The project may require a significant amount of time and could drag on for months if you have a full-time job. Then there’s also the chance you’re not a specialist and perform the task incorrectly. In addition to that, you have the opportunity to sit back while professionals handle the hard work for you. Additionally, you can stay in contact with them to ensure the construction is proceeding according to your established agreements.
Create a Timeline and Schedule
A general contractor may have their schedule they need to follow, but they are still considerate of your needs. You can create a timeline and schedule that fits their availability. You can work outside of the summer when there is a lower chance of the contractor having projects lined up. Once you and your general contractor agree on a timeline, they must adhere to the deadline and strictly fulfill budgeting goals.
Negotiation and Supervision of Subcontractors
A significant amount of effort goes into hiring a subcontractor, which may not be immediately apparent. You not only have to interview every subcontractor, but you also have to verify their licensing, insurance, and other necessary documentation to ensure they are prepared for the task at hand. Fortunately, your general contractor can perform all of these tasks. They may already be in touch with subcontractors they know well and have agreements that make work more affordable. You don’t have to worry about being scammed by a subcontractor, or several, as your project may require a number of them. Your contractor will investigate them all.
Getting Permits
It will save you time when your general contractor obtains the permit on your behalf. Typically, you must draft your project plan, visit your local state department for home construction, submit your project according to the guidelines, and wait for permission. Instead, your contractor will obtain those permits for you and help your home stay in compliance with measures to prevent costly violation fees.
Pre-Planning Phase
When you start your home project, it’s essential to have a clear idea of the type of remodeling or renovation you’d like to undertake. It is a good idea to group areas of your home, then detail each task necessary for them.
Pre-planning Areas for Construction
You can divide up designated areas of your home into groups, then make an itemized list to help make your project easier to execute. Each area of your home will have unique specifications that will require special attention.
Flooring
You can choose from a variety of materials and sizes to suit your flooring needs. For example, a stand-up shower in your bathroom will require smaller tiles to line the bottom of the shower. When incorporating new flooring in your kitchen, you should avoid using wood flooring because it expands and contracts with changes in temperature. An expert can help guide you on the type of material you can use in each area of your home.
Windows
You can resize your windows and install newly updated ones. New windows are more energy-efficient and come with built-in insulation and shielding from the elements. Some are also built to be hurricane-proof, so that debris can’t penetrate the glass. You can obtain information on pricing and materials from your contractor regarding the type of windows you prefer.
Walls and Roofing
You may choose to knock down and rearrange walls, which can significantly alter the entire layout of your home. The roof may also need remodeling, which is a much bigger task that will require a team.
Electricity, Plumbing, and HVAC
All of your walls will require electricity and outlets. The ceiling of your whole home will need vents installed throughout key areas. You will also need plumbing in your bathrooms, kitchen, and laundry room.
Painting, Lighting, and Polishing
The finishing touches will require painting all the walls and installing lights. You can install energy-efficient studio lights, chandeliers, and other types of lighting. After construction is completed, glass and countertop surfaces can be polished.
Estimate Entire Project
Once you have decided how you want to remodel your home, you have to include realistic cost expectations that fit your budget. The lower-end cost of remodeling a bathroom starts at $300 to $630 per square foot. A complete home renovation can be anywhere between $100 $250 per square foot. Remodeling a kitchen can cost between $150 and $650 per square foot, depending on the scope of the project. Adding a wood deck may cost around $40 per square foot on average. You can plan a project within your budget and select materials that align with your cost expectations.
Design Elements
With remodeling comes change, offering the opportunity to update entire areas with more modern approaches. You can incorporate beautiful design elements and remodel your home to give it a new look. For example, the open concept in kitchens is a unique approach to incorporating dining, entertainment, and living room spaces all in one area. Additionally, consider building a patio outside to expand your home’s outdoor space, providing more room to entertain guests on your deck. Remove old popcorn from your ceiling or redo a staircase. Slight changes can also revamp an entire home. If you are lost in this area, your general contractor can help you by providing a design consultant to offer you innovative ideas for renovation. They will also give you advice on what is doable according to your budget and the size of your home.
Review Plans with Contractor
You may need to sit down and have multiple meetings with your contractor to go over your schedule and expectations. They will need to hear about all aspects of your project and what you hope to accomplish. This way, they can order the correct materials and schedule deliveries for the prompt construction of your project. During this phase, you will create a contract that all parties agree to, which includes pricing details, equipment, tools, materials, and subcontractors you may work with.
Construction Timeline
Your contractor will be in constant communication with you and keep you informed about each phase of the construction. If there is extreme weather that delays the construction of your home, they will keep you informed. Your contractor will do their best to fulfill the budget and stick to the agreements of your contract. Remodeling typically takes between two and six months to complete. The spring or summer months are the busiest time of the year for contractors. To achieve faster results, select a winter month. Otherwise, you can plan and take a family vacation during the summer while remodeling your home.
Schedule Inspections
Once the remodeling is completed, your contractor will need to review the entire home to ensure that there are no issues. This post-construction phase involves troubleshooting the whole home. They clear out the debris and ensure the house is safe for habitation. General contractors make sure that there are no building code violations.
How to Start Your Remodeling Projects
You can get more information from experts in the construction industry. They can inspect your home and provide you with an exact estimate and cost of your goals. Your contractor will work with you to complete your remodeling or renovation project at an affordable price. With the help of your contractor, you can see the timely completion of your renovation. To get started, contact Home Care Contractors today for a consultation.