3 Keys to a Successful Home Renovation or Addition

Getting ready to tackle a home renovation/addition can be one of the most exciting and stressful experiences you’ll ever have. There’s no shortage of things to think about, and just about everyone has an opinion on how things should go.

Here are a few tips based on years of experience working through the renovation process with clients, as well as undertaking it myself.

1. Poor planning is the costliest mistake you can make. The best way to minimize risk is to front-load as much of the discovery process as possible. Surgeons don’t begin an operation without first making a sound diagnosis, nor should anyone start construction without investing in sound planning and design. It’s much easier to make chang- es long before hammers start swinging!

2. Be clear on your goals, and don’t miss the forest for the trees! It’s critical to have an emotional vision for what you want out of the project – think beyond the pragmatic, quantifiable aspects and more about WHY you are doing what you’re doing. What do you want to feel when you open the front door? What are the primary reasons for renovating or adding on? When these overarching ideas are thought out, it can not only help to simplify some of the smaller details, but also aid in identifying aspects that don’t fit within that vision.

3. You get what you pay for. People tend to significantly underestimate just how much things cost, and by picking a focus (see #2), you can identi- fy what is most important, and where you’re willing to compromise. A good architect and contractor can advise you on how and where to make changes to have the most impact on your bottom line, without sacrificing your goals.

Sloan Springer Architect is a design-focused practice that helps busy families transform their dated houses into modern homes that perfectly reflect their lifestyles. Designing and building a new home or addition is expensive and time-consuming – but our job is to make sure the process is also enjoyable and engaging!

We don’t just design houses, we craft happy and healthy homes.

Sloan Springer, AIA