GHBA Remodelers Council: Design dream project in new year

Vick Felice kitchen after dev

GHBA Remodelers Council: Design dream project in new year – written by Kevin Vick, Vick Construction & Remodeling – Published in the Houston Chronicle -Sunday edition – Homes Section – January 8th, 2017

The new year has begun and it’s time to plan those home improvement projects that will begin in the Spring. A question I often hear as a remodeling contractor “is it really necessary to hire a designer or have design drawings for my project?” Every project will require, at minimum, a sketch to show a layout of the space. A basic sketch can be done by your designer or most any professional remodeling contractor. For larger and more complex projects I like to answer the question by comparing a remodeling project to baking a cake. In much the same way you begin to create a cake with a recipe, you would need a plan to do a home improvement project. A plan, which will include a drawing and a written scope of work, will help determine the size and cost of the project as well as how the new space will function and look.

Putting together the project plan should be a collaboration between you (the homeowner), your designer, and your remodeling contractor. Prior to beginning the design, it’s important to communicate your needs, wants and approximate budget to your remodeling contractor and designer. Once you and your designer have finalized the design, the remodeling contractor can write the detailed scope of work and put together the plan for the project.

In addition to the drawing and written scope of work, you will need to select the color pallet, hardware, appliances, fixtures, and finish materials to be included in your project. A professional designer does this every day and is trained to put together color pallets that are beautiful and is familiar with what materials are available in the marketplace.

Ultimately, you, as the homeowner, will need to envision your project before it is completed to ensure your complete satisfaction with the final result. Consider these things before deciding what design help you need:

  1. The size and complexity of the project – more complex projects will definitely benefit from the skills of a professional designer, while smaller projects may dictate hiring a designer to assist with just a few aspects of the design such as color selection or the best materials to use.
  2. The size of the budget – Make sure that your designer and remodeler work together and that you, your designer and remodeler understand your budget.
  3. Whether design drawings are necessary for the remodeling permit – if so, it will be better to have a skilled designer involved who knows how to produce drawings to satisfy the permit requirements.

Overall, having a good plan for your project will help you to avoid cost and time overruns and will help ensure a more beautiful and functional project upon completion.

The goal is to have a beautiful, safe, and comfortable space to live in and enjoy with family and friends. The right designer-contractor team can accomplish this for you. Happy home improvement!

News

2024 Best of Houzz Award Winner

Remodeling Design Challenges

2023 BBB Award Winner

Contemporary Kitchen Design

2023 ASID RUBY Award

Houston Chronicle article – Fifth Wall

Missouri City remodels win awards

Emerging Kitchen Design Ideas

2023 Best of Houzz Award Winner

2022 BBB Award Winner of Distinction

Award for Best Remodeler Website

Remodeler and Designer Team

2022 Star Award Best Bathroom Renovation

Star Awards Finalists 2022

Choosing a Remodeling Company

Vick Construction & Remodeling Wins 8th Houzz Award

2021 BBB Award Winner

GHBA 2021 PRISM Finalist Awards

Vick Construction Wins ASID Ruby Finalist Award

TAB Star Awards 2021 Finalist Awards

Houzz Award 2021

2020 Houston’s Best PRISM Finalist Award

Remodeling Your Home – Houston Chronicle

2020 BBB Award Winner

Vick Construction & Remodeling Wins 6th Houzz Award

Improve Your World, Improve Your Home

Renovation Article Houston Chronicle

Kitchen Renovation 2019 Star Award Winner

Kitchen renovation project 2019 Star Award Finalist

BBB 2019 Winner of Distinction Award

Remodeling Trend

New ASID Member Kevin Vick Exhibits at ASID EXPO

Home Improvement – Customer Service is Key

Remodeling Challenges

Top Five Home Remodeling Projects

Custom Cabinets Make the Kitchen

International Builders Show 2018

Vick Construction & Remodeling wins Houzz award

Kevin Vick named Houston Remodeler of the Year

Dust Control – Breathe easier with livable remodeling

Understand Remodeling Estimating Process

Kevin Vick named Remodeler of the Month

Houston’s Best Prism Award

2017 Star Awards Finalist