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Friday, July 29th, 2016
1586-80151A-GRY1 Lulu Shaped Console Table 4056CR Henry Exposed Wood: Achieving this look is easy if you know which design elements to balance. Don’t know what to do? Hire an expert.
A lot of residential contractors take on design projects here and there usually with the cooperation of the homeowner. The latter could bring photos, sketches, even tear-outs from interior design magazines or books. This is true when it comes to remodeling where the design choices are constrained by some pre-existing circumstances.
Technically speaking, design contractors provide the design-build services yet they are not referred to as design builders. They also do not charge separately for their design project so long as this is not a line item on their estimate.
On bigger home remodels, though, a lot of contractors prefer to work off another person’s plan unless design is a part of their service. Still some allow homeowners to terminate the contract right after the design stage, allowing you to make use of another contractor’s plans. This is a crucial choice that you would want to see in your contract. Contracts may offer discounts if you would be working with the same contractor during construction.
There are various approaches to design-build bidding as well as contracts. A lot of design-build companies work through negotiated bid since they don’t generally put out the plans to different contractors for bidding. In this case, a contractor will share a portion of the costs with the homeowner and would negotiate a fee (whether hourly, by percentage or fixed) for the services that they offer.
Choosing the Right Design-Build Contractor
If you are hiring a designer and a contractor which is the same person, you need to ask the kind of questions that you would ask an architect/designer and the contractor. When you evaluate a company, be sure to separate the construction from the design side. This is because you might like their design projects but not their construction ones.
Talk to people from the design team and ask about how they work together during the design stage. See how they have previously worked with clients and how they charge for their designs. As to the construction side, ask questions that you would ask a general contractor.
Ask for references then ask their previous clients regarding the design and building phases. You need to know what went well, what surprises or problems came up, any cost overruns and how they were handled, and how much the clients eventually liked the project.
Another important thing to remember is the total cost of the project and a breakdown of the fees.
Make it a point to have the design company take full responsibility of the mistakes should anything happen. Have this stipulated in the contract.
Hooker Furniture Home Office
Advantages of Hiring a Design-Build Contractor
The greatest things that you will enjoy when you hire a design-build contractor are the same advantages that you get from a general contractor. You also get to simplify the process by hiring a one-stop-shop for construction and design.
Hiring just one company for design and construction means you save significantly. There will also be no disputes between the design and construction departments since they are technically in the same department.
You get to have more design freedom when you deal with just one company. Here, you can control the specs such as the fixtures that you use, finishes and mechanical equipment.
Lastly, find a reputable design-build contractor. He should also be someone who you would like to work with. You would also be likely to save money if you hire a single expert rather than a team of professionals. Make sure also that you keep the plans that you would work with so you can still use them with another contractor (should the need for another expert arise).
Tags: benefits of having an interior designer, design contractor, design-build contractor, finding an interior designer, hiring an interior designer, how to find an interior designer, how to hire an interior designer, interior design contractor, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, tips, working with interior designers
Posted in Design Contractor | No Comments »
Tuesday, June 14th, 2016
. Hooker Furniture Living Room Imperial Regal 3-Piece Stationary Sectional is the anchor to the rest of the design elements.
Building or remodeling a home is a huge emotional and financial investment. This project will also require a lot of your time especially when you want to be closely involved with the decision-making process. Setting your expectations prior to the beginning of the project will make you better prepared. Here are the 10 questions that you should ask your design contractor during his interview –
What Is the Project Schedule?
Setting the project start and end dates is not enough. The schedule is actually an outline that will give you a bird’s eye view of the sequences, tasks, timing and the deadlines. This is the benchmark so you’ll know when things are not keeping up with the deadlines.
Who Are Going to Work on the Project?
Depending on the structure of the interior design company, the answer to this could vary. Remodelers often make use of the lead carpenter system where the superintendent leads the day-to-day work. This is also known as a staff member since he works physically, too.
Ask who among the team members will be opening and locking up. Ask also who will be the contractors’ supervisor.
How Will You Keep the Property Safe?
This is a question that you need to ask before anything is demolished. Answering this will also assure you which parts of your home will be cordoned off. You also need to know how you will move about in your home.
Another issue that needs to be addressed is how all the stuff such as furniture, books, vases, drapes, and others could be removed from the construction area. You wouldn’t want any of them to collect dust or, worse, be damaged when the construction starts.
How and How Often Will We Communicate?
Set the mode of communication for the entire team. Would you need to call every day or would e-mails suffice? There are contractors that like to communicate on a weekly basis but are you amenable to that?
Which Part of the Project Is Problematic to You?
The contractor will always have something to say that will oppose what you planned. It is best to talk about the elephant in the room so that change orders won’t take place in the middle of the project.
Ask him what worst case scenarios he was able to bail out of in the past.
What Happens Should a Change Order Take Place?
Document change orders in writing. Remember that these have a way of catching up in financial terms and having paper trail is the best rebuttal to the contractor’s question on number of hours added, etc.
When Will You Need Me to Make Decisions?
Ask for an organized list of the things that you need to make a decision on. The list should give you a concise direction of what and when a decision is required from you.
Can I Call You After Hours?
It is important to know how you will get in touch with your contractor during emergencies. Exchange your numbers with the contractor’s landline, cell phone and work phone. Make sure that getting in touch with him won’t be a crisis.
When Will the Additional Meetings Be Held?
Even when there are weekly meetings, there could still be additional meetings where you would be required to attend. Installation of electricity, setting of tiles, is such activities that require your presence.
What Documents Will Be Given to Me After the Project Is Finished?
There are interior design projects that may require some kind of paperwork apart from the contract. This is especially true when you have to tear down walls or build new ones in your home. Documents also include the list of subcontractors, their contact details, etc.
The Winners Only Bedroom Slat King Bed BCQ1002K, the nightstand, the drawers, even the carpet all blend to create this harmonious bedroom.
Tags: design contractor, hiring interior designer, interior design contractor, interior design team, interior designer, interior designer interview, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, searching for interior designer
Posted in Interior Design 101, The Interior Designer | No Comments »
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