Unlocking the Secret to a Successful Home Renovation
A Chat with Danielle Emond, Designer at Eastside Co/Lab
The birds are buzzing and the windows are open, pollen be damned. You’re itching to refresh your space, tired of ignoring the creak in the floor, or the rogue faucet spray. You ate ramen all winter and are ready to put your money where your Pinterest board is.
It’s time for a reno!
Suddenly you’re in a Google deep dive of opinions and ‘experts’, feeling like a fish out of water (not to mention unwelcomed familial input).
Don’t worry - we’ve got your back. Here are some key things to keep in mind when starting a renovation project, or hiring a designer.
Hire a PROFESH. Trust me, we all love saving money, but the experts get paid for a reason. Just like you wouldn’t trust a chef to do your plumbing, and – unless you’re my dad – you wouldn’t do your own. The DIY craze is fading, and we’re here for it. Hiring professionals for a home renovation alleviates much of the stress that comes with an already overwhelming process. Aside from visual talent, experience, and education, they know things you don’t even know you don’t know. In the end, they typically save you money by avoiding costly mistakes.
Choosing said professional. Online forums such as Thumbtack, Angie’s List, Houzz, etc. can help with finding construction + design professionals. However, cold calling doesn’t always yield the best results. We like to use our network for contacts; think neighborhood message boards, stopping by an active site or texting your sister-in-law’s brother who just graduated from architecture school - chances are if they can’t help, they will lead you to someone who can. As always, it's good to get at least two quotes and check references before signing on the dotted line.
Use honest materials. As tempting as the price tag for synthetic materials may be, they don’t have a tendency to age well and ultimately will weigh you down in replacement costs over time. Hardwood and stone will age like fine wine and never go out of style. Not only does this mean extra money for you in the long run, but it is also much better for the environment to have materials that are going to last for centuries, rather than high-turnover products, or fast fashion materials and finishes. Not to mention, natural materials increase the value of your home.
Think of resale. Unless you plan on never leaving your home, make sure to keep resale in mind. It can be difficult to merge personal touches with timeless design or balance value-add with cost, which is where designers can be helpful. Keeping resale in mind doesn’t mean dulling your personal style. Louder expressions can come from artwork, furniture, textiles (rugs), and even lighting, as these things are much easier to switch out. We also love consulting real estate professionals on renovation plans for resale input.
Keep these things in mind, and you will end up with a project you will love and that will last a lifetime.