Ask a Contractor: Should we renovate all at once, or in steps?

Question: We want to do several upgrades to our house, including the kitchen, the master bathroom and a new deck. Should we have them all done at the same time, or would it be easier on my family to have them done one at a time?

Answer: From Alon Toker, president of Mega Builders in Chatsworth, California:

Certainly a more comprehensive project would take a toll on a family, whether the family remains in place or finds temporary housing elsewhere. After all, moving out is also stressful.

Still, I think you should opt to get it all done in a single swoop, or you could lose momentum. In my experience, no one is less likely to undertake a remodeling project than someone who has just completed one.

It makes financial sense as well. Generally speaking, it is more cost effective to bundle all your project's objectives into a single undertaking.

Here's why: A construction project progresses trade by trade, from the "rough" stages to the "finish" work. For example, tile work should go in before the last coat of paint but after the cabinets are in. The electrician will wire the open walls during the rough stage and return toward the project's completion to install light fixtures and trim.

Breaking up a home-remodeling project by room or by any other arbitrary criteria undermines this natural and efficient progression. As a result, crews will work on rough items and then do finish work only to return to address additional rough items in a different location of the house. Total project time and cost will increase as a result.

Given travel time, daily setup and breakdown times (bringing materials from the truck, collecting tools, daily cleanup of the job site), the one-at-a-time process creates waste. This also means higher time-related costs, such as for supervision, overhead and temporary facilities.

I suggest you get all the pain out of the way and enjoy your new and improved home.

Do you have a question for a contractor? Please email your question to Alon Toker at atoker@megabuilders.com

Comments

[becoming-home]

We're doing it all at once but we haven't moved in yet and we have my parents' house to stay at during the reno, so that's a unique situation. The only danger of this approach is the "while we're at it syndrome!"

[Kathy Price-Robinson]

Becoming Home, thanks for posting. I just checked out your blog at:

http://www.becoming-home.com/

and I must say your remodel is turning out beautifully! And in such a short time. Congratulations!

[becoming-home]

Thanks Kathy,
Right back at you, I've enjoyed exploring your past posts. Interesting stories and you are also a very talented writer which makes it such easy reading!

Our reno is coming along.. I suppose it is a short time in the scheme of these things, but I must say it feels like forever ago that we started, with all the energy and naivety of people who have never been through a rennovation ...unlike the battle-worn and weary pair we feel like now ;-)

[Franklin Murphy]

We added an outdoor room/ porch, with roof, columns and a fireplace -all overlooking the pool and lake. It looks great. We also did crown molding in all rooms, replaced the ceiling in the living room, installed Pergo flooring in all the bedrooms, put in some interior, decorative columns and lighting. THE PROJECT SEEMED TO TAKE FOREVER. At one point, we lived in one room of the house. WHAT A MESS IT WAS. AND DEALING WITH THE CONTRACTORS...? My advice: Buy a new home with the things you want. Forget remodeling.

[Superior Remodeling]

Every project is different in its own way. Any time you are remodeling you need to do it in steps. Any contractor who would leave you confined to one room in your home unless you insisted probably has not done any type of large scale remodeling before. I am the owner of a well known remodeling company in Raleigh NC (Superior Remodeling)We pride ourselves in makeing our customers happy. I would say 70% of our work is repeat customers and referals. In this economy buying a new house with everything you want in it is not always an option. Some people have no choice but to make what they have now better and make their space work for them. Just keep in mind that you still need to live in your home. I recommend doing a kitchen or master bathroom all by itself. Other bathrooms 2 at a time or alongside a basement or attic remodel. NEVER!! do you master bath kitchen at the same time as main living areas of your home. It will lead to a disaster and you will be miserable the entire time. Make sure you do your research before you pick a contractor, Pick someone who has good reviews on google or other similar sites or someone who you know has used in the past. The days of looking in the phonebook for a contractor are long passed.

Anyone is Raleigh NC who is looking for a good remodeling contractor feel free to look us up on google under (Superior Remodeling LLC) or visit our site www.sup-remodeling.com