Pre-Holiday Remodeling -- Do's and Don'ts

R E P U B L I C W E S T R E M O D E L I N G . C O M
Pre-Holiday Remodeling
-- Do’s and Don’ts --

Everyone wants their home to look
and function perfectly for them
and their guests. That’s why good
entertainment space is usually high
on the wish list of many new home
buyers. Kitchens, bathrooms, living
rooms, guest accommodations and
outdoor spaces are all important
areas when you have visitors,
especially during the holiday season.

Preparing your home for holiday entertaining
can be a fun and rewarding experience, if you
follow some basic guidelines. The following
list outlines important “Do’s” and “Don’ts” to
consider before you begin a holiday remodeling
project.
Things to Do for Pre-Holiday Remodeling:
1. DO consider everything you’ll having
going on in your life between now and
the first of January. Can you take on a
remodeling project with your current
obligations? Do you have the time to
work with your contractor?

Remodeling can be stressful. Your home
may be in disarray during construction.
You may not have access to certain parts
of the house. And you’ll have strangers
in your home for extended periods.
So, make sure you can handle these
drawbacks.
You still have time to create the home
of your dreams before your holiday
guests arrive. However, think long and
hard about whether you can deal with
this during the time leading up to the
holidays. If you’ll be consumed with
other holiday projects, you may want to
hold off on remodeling until the first of
the year when you may have more time
to devote it.

2. DO evaluate your home carefully to
determine what projects would have
the most impact from an entertaining
standpoint. What will make your hosting
job easier and less stressful? What
changes can you make to enhance your
guests’ experiences? In other words,
compare how your home currently
functions for you and your guests to how
you would like it to function.

For example, if you’re cooking a meal for
many guests, how can your kitchen better
serve you? Do you have the right layout
and appliances to work efficiently? Can
you store all the extra holiday items you’ll
need?
What about space for your guests?
You need to make sure everyone is
comfortable during their stay. So,
evaluate traffic flow, bathroom facilities,
guest rooms, living areas, outdoor areas
and dining areas.

3. DO think about holiday ambiance. You
want your guests to enjoy this special time
of year and have a memorable experience
in your home.
If you look at your home objectively,
you can determine how to change the
function to increase comfort. But, you
also want to consider how it looks and
feels. Is your design outdated? Can you
easily and effectively accommodate your
holiday décor to create an inviting holiday
atmosphere?

4. DO your homework and hire the
right remodeling contractor. With the
holidays just around the corner, you can’t
afford to experience any set-backs. Is
this really the time to take a chance on a
contractor?
To make sure your remodeling project
is delivered just as you expected and in
time for your holiday guests, take the
time to thoroughly evaluate prospective
remodeling companies. Although you
may feel rushed to get your project
underway so it’s finished in time, don’t
skip the critical evaluation step.

A reputable contractor will not take on
a project it can’t complete within your
time frame. They won’t say yes to
your every request just to get the job,
and then not deliver. The last thing
you want is a house under construction
when your guests arrive.
So, get referrals. Spend the appropriate
amount of time reviewing the
qualifications of each prospective
remodeling company. Interview them
carefully. Then check references
thoroughly.

Things NOT to Do for Pre-Holiday Remodeling:
1. DON’T wait until the last minute. If you
want to make some changes to your home in
time for the holidays, get started as soon as
possible. Even during the fall months, you
still have time to complete many projects.
A good remodeling contractor will be honest
with you about what they can and can’t
accomplish by your deadline.
Also, keep in mind how long it will take to
order fixtures and materials. For example,
if you want special-order Italian marble or
high-end gourmet fixtures for your kitchen,
the lead-time may affect your schedule.
Keep in mind too that delivery times during
the holiday season are usually longer.

2.DON’T get carried away. With the
holidays fast approaching, you only have
a limited amount of time for remodeling
projects. So, don’t bite off more than
you can chew. If you want the kitchen
of your dreams, you may have to do your
remodeling project in stages.
For example, if you want to remodel your
kitchen by adding new cabinets, installing
new appliances and updating your
design, you can realistically begin this
project in October and finish it in time
for Thanksgiving. However, if you want
to gut your kitchen and do a complex
renovation that changes the size and flow
of your space, you may not be able to
finish it within that same time frame

Here’s where a well-qualified remodeling
contractor can help. Some companies are
very experienced at doing complicated
projects within short schedules. They’ve
perfected the entire remodeling process
so they can complete projects in shorter
amounts of time. So, if the scope of your
project is extensive and you want it done
in time for the holidays, it’s absolutely
critical you find a reputable contractor
with experience delivering within tight
schedules.

3.DON’T focus only on price. Everyone
wants to get work done for the least
amount of money. But, does “you get what
you pay for” ring a bell? A simple Internet
search will uncover horror stories from
homeowners about remodeling projects
gone bad.
Since you want your project done in time
for holiday entertaining, do you really
want to take a risk with your contractor
selection? To avoid the all-to-common
remodeling nightmare, focus first on
qualifications during your evaluations.
Make sure your contractor has done your
type of project many times before and they
have references to back up their work.

After you’ve determined the most qualified
candidates, then you can compare pricing.
If a bid seems too high, you can discuss
possible changes to your project that will
bring the price down. For example, you
may be able to lower costs by selecting less
expensive materials. A good contractor will
work within your budget and provide sound
guidance on the various trade-offs you can
make.

4. DON’T forget to consider
your outdoor space. If you need
extra space for entertaining guests,
creating an outdoor entertaining area
can be the perfect solution. Arizona
winters are mild and pleasant,
which any out-of-town guests will
especially enjoy.
However, keep in mind night
temperatures can still drop to
uncomfortable levels in the desert.
So, make sure you consider installing
outdoor fireplaces, fire pits and
space heaters. You always want
appropriate enclosures to protect
from the elements, as well as proper
lighting for safety.

Your outdoor space can be remodeled
to include dining areas, an outdoor
kitchen, conversation pits, recreational
areas and more. Whatever you do
inside, you can move outside – with
the right amenities to ensure comfort
and safety.
The holiday season is a favorite time of
year for many people. It’s when you can
connect with family and friends to create
special memories. If you love to entertain
during the holidays, consider remodeling
to make your home all it can be for you
and your guests. With the right contractor
on-board, you’ll be able to transform your
home in time for Thanksgiving dinner!

Working with a Remodeling
Contractor
To ensure your home remodeling project
for the holidays delivers everything you
expected, take extra care in selecting
your remodeling contractor. You want a
proven professional who can complete
work promptly, manage costs effectively
and solve any problems that may surface
during your project.

Republic West Remodeling makes the
home remodeling process as painless as
possible. With over 18 years in business,
we’ve learned a thing to two about
how to efficiently complete projects to
every customer’s expectation. And our
testimonials, references and track record
back this up.
We’ve also developed the Dream Assurance
Plan™, a custom remodeling process that
strives to deliver a pleasant experience and
a successful outcome for our customers.
We’re determined to transform the
expectations that every remodeling project
will be a nightmare.

The Dream Assurance Plan includes three
concepts:
• Design & Visualization
• Cost Certainty
• Time Certainty
Republic West Remodeling assures your
custom remodeling project will be as you
visualized throughout the entire process –
from creative design to detailed planning to
execution and construction.

For more information on home additions,
or to request a free, no obligation,
design consultation, visit http://www.
republicwestremodeling.com/remodeling-and-
construction.php or call
(480) 428-2695.

About The Author
Jim Weisman is owner of Republic West Remodeling, an Arizona-based
company specializing in home remodeling: kitchens, bathrooms, room
additions, outdoor living spaces and more. For more information about
Bathroom Remodeling, visit http://www.republicwestremodeling.com today.

Pre-Holiday Remodeling -- Do's and Don'ts

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