Houston Remodeling Guide 2009: Plan Your Remodeling Project with Accuracy

he ultimate goal as a professional remodeling company is to fulfill clients’ dreams and visions, and to give the best service down to the last detail. With a detailed and accurate set of plans, this goal can be achieved. The life blood of any project is the “plans,” and unfortunately that seems to have the least amount of importance to clients. Without any direction or vision, how can remodelers comprehend or project the end results?

Having plans for a major remodeling project is no different than a surgeon who orders x-rays, CT scans or MRIs to be performed before starting surgery. If you participated in a team sport, the coach always had a game plan. If you did not use a map on your vacation, you would spend all your valuable time stopping and asking for directions. In everything we do in life, there needs to be some direction if you plan to be successful.

The owner’s and contractor’s perception of the project is one of the most important reasons for plans. You have heard the saying “Everyone being on the same page.” With plans and specifications, everyone can see and understand the project. Plans also are a necessity when it comes to budget and controlling cost.

Budgets and controlling cost are just as important to a contractor as to the owner. In order to qualify a project, there needs to be some idea of cost. Effective planning will help determine the cost so the owner can budget accordingly. There is nothing worse than

an owner and contractor spending quality time with no possible chance of meeting expected budgets.

The expertise and advice of a professional architect or designer is essential to maintain the esthetics and integrity of the structure. The architect, contractor and owner can work together to solve any challenges. As a surgeon has a team of specialists, owners create a professional team of architects and contractors. A good team of specialists will provide the owner with a quality desired end product.

Speaking as a contractor, our company probably will not pursue a large project unless the owner provides plans. An owner who has invested time and money to create plans and specifications is a serious potential client. On the other hand, a professional contractor will request plans to insure his understanding of the owner ’s expectations.

When an owner has a plan and scope of the project, a contractor will qualify this as a “potential project.” An owner’s commitment to research and necessary homework is a strong indication that the owner is very serious. Without any direction plan, remodelers cannot comprehend or project the end result.

Gil Boyles, CGR, CAPS

GB General Contractors, Inc.