Tips for Managing Renovation-Related Stress: Part 2 of 3

In the first installment of our series on managing renovation-related stress, we highlighted the rewards that home remodeling can deliver to homeowners when mindset and preparation are strategically aligned with a focus on the finish line.

In this second installment of the series, we’re taking a deep dive into the benefits of working with your builder to develop a robust plan for your project – before construction begins.

Here at Alair Decatur, we pride ourselves on owning a process that places emphasis on the critical role that our clients play in the development and execution of their custom renovation and new home projects. Each of our projects is shepherded through two distinct phases: Planning and Construction. Investing time and energy exclusively toward planning helps us minimize the stress of budget and timeline uncertainties for our clients when we get to construction. Again, we’re inspired by that old builder’s adage, “Measure twice, cut once.”

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Planning is where clients begin to define their needs and dreams more clearly. It’s where trust is built, where clarity is established, and where surprises are minimized.

It Begins with Building a Relationship

Before our clients exchange any money with us, we’ve already established a relationship based on good communication and mutual respect for each other’s time. When you fill out the contact form on our website to schedule a project consultation, a member of our team will follow up to find a time to connect for a phone consultation. During that discovery call, we’ll begin a dialogue about your likes and dislikes of your current living situation, we’ll gather information about the changes you’d like to make to your home, and we’ll mutually assess whether we’re the right build partner to bring your project to life.

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If both parties agree and would like to move forward after the phone consultation, the next step is a home visit with Alair Decatur partner, Heather Shuster. She’ll meet you at your home and continue the discovery process to learn more about your needs and expectations, while also initiating the steps to generate a range for the project budget and timeline.

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After the home visit, we will put together a proposal and invite you to our office for a proposal presentation. If you like what you see during the proposal, you’ll have an opportunity to sign a project planning agreement. With a signed planning agreement and a planning deposit, the wheels will start rolling on your project as it embarks on its journey in project planning.

Perks of Starting a Project with a Strong Plan

Apart from all the benefits associated with pre-construction planning that we’ve already highlighted, here are some additional, specific examples to consider.

• First and foremost is risk mitigation. Putting in time and effort to create a detailed project plan, allows a homeowner to make fully-informed decisions with minimal risk. You’ll have all the facts (costs, schedule, etc.) before fully committing yourself to breaking ground or tearing down walls.
• Being directly involved with the planning of your project also maximizes your input and control over the outcomes of your project, because you are part of the team that determines these outcomes.
• Likewise, with your involvement in creating the project plan, you’ll enjoy heightened levels of transparency and clarity. You’ll know exactly how much each component of the project is going to cost.