Why you don’t need a Remodeling Contractor
When you’re heading into a remodel, if you manage the subcontractors yourself, you’ll save the 20-25% that remodeling companies tack on to the final price. Managing your remodel is straightforward and you can do the contractor’s job and pocket the money they make.
Let’s walk through a kitchen remodel, one of the most common areas that needs repair after 10 or more years in a home.
Look at your kitchen layout. Determine what you want to change:
Move walls, create new areas like an island?
Change out the flooring?
Change out the cabinets?
Change the countertop?
Move electricity for new needs?
Change the plumbing for new designs?
Now draw your kitchen the way it is. It doesn’t have to be fancy. Taking pictures for perspective can help guide you. Draw all the walls. Draw the floorplan that you currently have noting doors, windows, appliances, outlets and plumbing. Write down measurements.
On this drawing start making your changes. Maybe everything stays in the same place. That makes it easier. Maybe you want to change the kinds of cabinets you have to be higher or more specialized or fancier like with a glass front and lights.
Figure out what you need:
New cabinets? Call a cabinetry and millwork shop like ARHTX. Bring your drawing. We’ll create a 3D picture of what you want complete with specialized cabinets and any door and drawer front you can imagine.
New countertop? ARHTX can help you there too. We work with countertop companies all over the Houston area and can help you figure out what you need, help you stay in your budget and get you the perfect quality and look you’re imagining. Or you can find countertop choices at a range of stores in the area. They’ll come out, measure and provide an estimate. You’ll decide on an edge type that you want for the countertop. The countertop goes in after the cabinets.
New backsplash? If you’re having new cabinets and a new counter you’ll have to choose a new backsplash. There are lots to select from. Find a tile store and take your picture. They’ll also do the installation which happens after the countertop goes in.
New flooring? Find a flooring store and look at what’s available. ARHTX can give you direction with these vendors. Show them your drawing. They’ll even come to your home to provide an estimate usually at no charge to you.
New electricity? ARHTX works with skilled electricians that will help you rearrange your kitchen electrical needs. Having a referral for this trade is very helpful.
New plumbing? ARHTX has skilled plumbers that can fit out your kitchen for new sink or dishwasher locations, and other extras like pot filling arms.
5. When the work begins it’ll happen something like this:
Demo everything that’s going. You can do this yourself. This really isn’t as hard or as daunting as it seems. ARHTX is always happy to help with the demo which would be a nominal fee.
If you’re moving, adding or taking out walls, the framer will create the new space with studs and sheetrock.
Your electrical and plumbing come next. They’ll come in and do the rerouting pretty quickly.
Then flooring. You want to put your flooring in wall to wall. People make the mistake of having it go around or up to the cabinets which means that any change in cabinets makes it hard to match the spacing left in the flooring.
If you have new walls or have removed old walls, the painter will finish the walls with new paint. This is also an easy project for homeowners.
In come your cabinets. This can take one to two days depending on the complexity and size of your kitchen. The carpenter will leave a space for your appliances or put the cabinets around them if you aren’t making any changes.
The counter is next. They’ll bring in the countertop pre-cut usually and set it in place. A hole will be cut for the sink. The seams will be sealed and all edges caulked.
Now the backsplash is put in place. Your kitchen is coming together. Make sure they put the electrical outlets back on the plugs and switches.
The plumber returns to hook up your dishwasher, sink and disposal.
And you’ve managed your remodel yourself!
Being your own contractor takes a knowledge of how the processes in the remodel take shape. You have to make the important decisions for cabinet type, counter type and edge, flooring style, backsplash, and any modifications in walls or appliances anyway. And ARHTX is always ready to help you save money and put together the remodel of your dreams.