Where to start with your home renovation

10/23/19 • 25 min

2 Listeners

Talking Home Renovations with the House Maven

Where to start with your home renovation

Walter Russell from Home Sweet Home Builders of Woburn MA joined me on this first episode to discuss how to get going with a project, Walter brings the perspective of a contractor in a discussion about how to kick off your home renovation.

Episode Recap

Step 1: Know what you want

Step 2: Know what you can afford

Our fictional homeowner is trying to figure out how to start a project that would be a two story addition, kitchen on the first floor and a master suite on the second floor. She has $200,000 to spend. What should her first call be? Does she have enough money to complete what she would like to do?

Should you call a contractor first or an architect?
How does someone begin to set a budget?
We discussed factors that contribute to the price of a project.
An architect is thinking about what is possible in the space, a contractor is thinking budget. Ideally you would bring the two together early in the project.
Is it a good idea to put everything you want into a plan just to see how much it is going to cost? Will that cause unnecessary disappointment?
Building a master plan is going to be important for realizing what the maximum scope potential is
Architect works up a vision and a scope of work, the contractor will be able to give a rough budget number based on that.
Should you keep your home renovation budget number secret?
Walter gives some ballpark prices for common smaller projects.
Are square footage prices accurate?

Learning from the mistakes of others

Don’t rush into a project

Walter Russell is the co-owner of Home Sweet Home Builders, a full service construction company, with a core focus on residential remodeling and roofing. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram and twitter @HSHBLLC or on the internet at www.HSHbuilds.com

Help me spread the word! Send a link to this show to 3 of your friends who you think could use information about home renovations. I would really appreciate that.

Chat with me! Join the community on Flick, a podcasting chat app. You can ask questions, chat with other listeners about your project, new products, and more! The app is free, download it wherever you get apps and then open this code on your phone: https://flickchat.page.link/rohX

Join our mailing list! Get insider information, extras (like the images we can't post here) and other exciting news http://eepurl.com/gFJLlT

Thanks to Ray Bernoff, the editor of the show. www.RayBernoff.com

The music is Blueberry Festival Footrace by David Fisher and performed by Hanneke Cassel www.hannekecassel.com

Cover Art by Sam White www.samowhite.com

Where to start with your home renovation

Episode Recap

Step 1: Know what you want

Step 2: Know what you can afford

Should you call a contractor first or an architect?
How does someone begin to set a budget?
We discussed factors that contribute to the price of a project.
An architect is thinking about what is possible in the space, a contractor is thinking budget. Ideally you would bring the two together early in the project.
Is it a good idea to put everything you want into a plan just to see how much it is going to cost? Will that cause unnecessary disappointment?
Building a master plan is going to be important for realizing what the maximum scope potential is
Architect works up a vision and a scope of work, the contractor will be able to give a rough budget number based on that.
Should you keep your home renovation budget number secret?
Walter gives some ballpark prices for common smaller projects.
Are square footage prices accurate?

Learning from the mistakes of others

Don’t rush into a project

Help me spread the word! Send a link to this show to 3 of your friends who you think could use information about home renovations. I would really appreciate that.

Join our mailing list! Get insider information, extras (like the images we can't post here) and other exciting news http://eepurl.com/gFJLlT

Thanks to Ray Bernoff, the editor of the show. www.RayBernoff.com

The music is Blueberry Festival Footrace by David Fisher and performed by Hanneke Cassel www.hannekecassel.com

Cover Art by Sam White www.samowhite.com

Previous Episode

Introduction to Talking Home Renovations with the House Maven

This podcast is for homeowners about to begin a home renovation and for people who are interested in hearing architects, contractors, vendors and homeowners talk about their expertise or experiences with home renovations. You don't know what you don't know, so listen in and enjoy the show!

Next Episode

Real Estate and Renovations

Real estate and Renovations

Elizabeth Hayes is a realtor at Sotheby’s in Cambridge MA and she helps us understand what to look for if you’re hoping to buy a house that needs a major renovation. She also talks about how much to renovate in order to sell your house.

Episode Recap

What to look for if you are hoping to find a fixer-upper
When should you not buy a house that needs a renovation?
Should you renovate before you sell your house?
Sustainable and environmentally friendly features are attractive to buyers
Vinyl might not be as desirable as it once was
Get your house checked out by a design professional before you buy it to get an idea of what renovations would be possible at the house

Learning from the mistakes of others

Spiral stairs are a renovation regret
Open plan might be a renovation regret

About return on investments- https://homeguide.com/costs

About this episode’s guest

Elizabeth Hayes has worked in real estate for over a decade. She first represented Boston area homebuyers, sellers and mortgage lenders as an attorney. Since 2006, she has focused exclusively on the sale and marketing of residential properties as a real estate broker. She brings a great deal of professional and personal experience to bear as she helps her clients successfully navigate the home buying and selling process. Elizabeth works hard to merit the trust her clients place in her and she strives to ensure that each transaction is as seamless as possible in this very competitive market. She has a reputation for negotiating with tenacity, tact and good humor, a skill she honed while serving as a Boston Assistant District Attorney for five years. And after having renovated and decorated a number of properties, Elizabeth has a wealth of first-hand knowledge and she loves helping her clients envision how they might bring out the best in the home they are contemplating buying or selling. Elizabeth is a graduate of Indiana University. She also lived in Paris and Strasbourg, France and is fluent in French. She currently resides in Watertown with her husband, Chris, and two terriers. https://www.gibsonsothebysrealty.com/agents/elizabeth-hayes

Help me spread the word! Send a link to this show to 3 of your friends who you think could use information about home renovations. I would really appreciate that.

Join our mailing list! Get insider information, images that we can't post here and other exciting news http://eepurl.com/gFJLlT

Thanks to Ray Bernoff, the editor of the show. www.RayBernoff.com

The music is Blueberry Festival Footrace by David Fisher and performed by Hanneke Cassel www.hannekecassel.com

Cover Art by Sam White www.samowhite.com

If you need architectural advice, contact me through my website at www.demiosarchitects.com

Email questions for future episodes to [email protected]