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I’m going to share some common thoughts about remodeling here. You think about some one-word adjectives and see if we’re on the same page. Scary. Over-budget. Scary. Long. Headache. Scary. Dusty. Frustrating. Did I mention scary?
But what would you say if I told you remodeling could be fun? Crazy? Wait! Please hear me out.
…continue reading Fun in remodeling »
You’ve heard the saying, “the devil’s in the details” right? Typically, this saying is used negatively as a reaction to something unexpected happening to those “best laid plans.” At the end of this article is a picture of one of such details.
I like to turn this saying into a positive, pro-active tool during our projects as a reminder that details do matter. How do they matter? When do they matter? Why do they matter? Can we keep the devil away?
…continue reading Devil in the Details »
All businesses have a business model – whether they realize it or not. Yes, that means some business models are not fully intentional. I must admit, creating a business model can be difficult, but it is important. It takes creativity, forethought, insight, and a lot of pure blood, sweat, and tears to create a business model.
The answer depends on whether you are a business person or a customer, but it is important to both.
…continue reading Is your model important? »
This question is important to ask for many reasons, and it plays an important role in our business for two reasons.
Most importantly, we ask this question of our clients since we are working to design something that fits them, and meets them in their taste. This makes it hard, since each project is unique, to share a portfolio of projects. Experience has taught us that what fit the last client most likely will not fit you. It hasn’t happened yet! So our goal is to learn about our client, in their home habits, circumstance, and needs.
…continue reading What’s unique about you? »
It’s a hard time to be in business, for sure. However, I have kept asking myself why am I seeing so many businesses start up during a down economy? (let me clarify “so many”: any more than 0 during such an allegedly dour economy would seem to be extremely gutsy!) Do they have a crystal ball? If so, I want it! No, it doesn’t seem that they have crystal balls, just extreme guts!
So, I read about business and entrepreneurialism. And I come across a hard truth. The title of this article says it all…”It’s Not the Receission, You Just Suck!”
A recent article in the Residential Design + Build magazine piqued my interest. The author states throughout the article, and in the title, that architects/designers should lead design/build projects. Mr. Jauregui makes many great points about the fallacies of the design-then-bid-then-build model, and I refer you to the article to read more about that. He also outlines many of the advantages of the design/build model that I have mentioned as well.
However, to state empirically that the designer/architect should always take the lead on projects doesn’t add up to me. My experience shows that clients do benefit greatly when the builder takes the lead.
Am I slamming architects/designers?
…continue reading Taking the lead: builder or designer? »
Recently we’ve been working on a library addition. For marketing purposes, the board needed a fly-thru of their addition/remodeling project.
This is the latest as a part of their marketing movie. (Other parts of the movie to be added by others, including photos of existing conditions, and music – for continuity)
Contractors, are you using 3D to communicate with potential clients?
Continuing our series following a real-life remodeling project, we come to the point where the design had been vetted by two contractors, and, as we might expect, the project was more than the homeowners had previously stated they wanted to spend.
Continuing to follow the remodeling process with this real-life remodeling project, we have moved into the design phase of the program. Our homeowners have noticed that their home feels a bit dis-jointed and they need some more space. Two other items appear on their wish list: a two-car garage, and a master suite.
Our goal is to give these homeowners a project that they are comfortable about buying, in a process that reduces their headaches. It isn’t hard, just must be planned and anticipated. We must remember that this is not our home, and while we do our best to provide a well-designed project and give professional advice when needed, we don’t live there, nor ever will. Therefore, it is completely up to the client to make the final decision.
Using the field measurements, digital pictures and Google Maps street view, an accurate 3D model was made of the entire house. Even as we continued the design, there were some questions about the roof geometry. We were able to pull up the Google Maps street view and verify that the angles looked to be very similar. The husband is a technical type, and enjoys the technology and accuracy features of this process. It is gratifying, and very typical, to be able to show the homeowner that the measurements and numbers line up with reality.
This post is first in a series, where the goal is to show how you can remodel or upgrade your home with ease. A remodeling project isn’t always easy but it can be done with much fewer headaches. We all know that in order to reduce headaches, one must start with the end goal in mind. The end goal in any remodeling, or upgrading project is a trouble-free, functional, and visually pleasing space.
To create this series, I will share this example of a real life, and real-time, remodeling project. In other words, I will be writing this as the project unfolds.
…continue reading How to remodel with ease, pt 1 »