What you need to know before you start your home renovation and construction project

During our 25+ years of helping Calgarians design, renovate or build their dream home, we’ve answered thousands of questions about design, construction and project management. Whether you are making an addition to your home, a full renovation or looking to redesign your dream kitchen or bathroom, when you work with the Woolrich Group, our mission is to create a seamless and worry-free construction journey that brings your home renovation project visions to life. We recognize that deciding to embark on a home building or renovation project is a big decision. At Woolrich, we do our very best to make the design and construction process as effortless and painless as possible for you. We will guide you every step of the way, providing you with all the necessary information to make an educated decision about your investment in your home renovation project.

We have asked our Calgary-based team of interior designers, construction managers and project managers to share their thoughts on some of the most frequently asked home renovation questions.

1. How do I get started on a home renovation project?

It starts with contacting us to set up a no-charge introduction meeting. During this meeting, we will discuss your needs and wants, whether for a kitchen remodel, basement development, or an entire home renovation. Then, with this information, we will develop a detailed preliminary budget that aligns with your home renovation vision. All this is free of charge as you weigh your options in your decision-making process.

2. What does the planning process look like? 

Before construction starts, three planning phases are critical to a successful, on-time and on-budget renovation project; each requires your approval before moving on to the next.

Phase 1: Renovation Concepts & Preliminary Budget: After working together to understand what you value and how we can satisfy your needs through your renovation project, we prepare creative renovation concepts alongside a preliminary budget.

Phase 2: Design & Working Budget: Once you approve the preliminary budget and are ready to move forward with your renovation, we work collaboratively to finalize the design and construction project scope while establishing a working budget. It involves creating a 3D rendering of your design options and inviting trade partners on-site to quote on your project.

Phase 3: Contract Signature & Materials Ordering: Once you approve the working budget, we sign a contract, finalize the renovation details, and order your renovation materials. It typically takes 4-6 weeks for renovation materials to arrive, and once they do, renovation construction can begin.

3. What is your typical project planning lead time?

At Woolrich, we take the time to get it right. A 12 to14 14-week time frame from our initial point of contact to the start of construction – is critical to delivering your renovation project on time and on budget. We put considerable time and effort into upfront planning so you can trust that when you work with us, your budget reflects actual costs typically within 5% of the quoted budget.

4. What should my budget be?

A: First things first, decide what your design and renovation priorities are! Do you need to redesign the layout of your home, update countertops, replace your flooring, or does it just need a facelift? Once you have the scope of the project and a rough number in mind, you are ready to chat with our design and construction professionals. We are experts at guiding you through and breaking down the budget and will be able to tell you where to spend and where to save to make your money go further

5. Why is the preliminary budget so important?

Your preliminary budget is your home renovation blueprint. It sets expectations by detailing line-by-line all the elements required to achieve your home renovation along with cost estimation. It also includes creative renovation concepts customized to your wishes. Finally, this blueprint is the process through which we develop an understanding of each other and begin our collaborative working relationship to meet your overall home renovation expectations.

6. How long will my home renovation project take to complete? 

Every home renovation is different, but at Woolrich, we use a rough formula that has served us well over the years: for the first $100,000 spent in renovation cost you can expect a 6-week timeframe, and then 1 additional month for every extra $100,000 spent.

7. I love my neighbourhood. Should I tear down and build new or renovate the house I have? 

Many people find that once they start looking at changing their surroundings, the high cost of upgrading to a new home versus investing money to upgrade their current space, are significantly different. Tearing down or renovating your existing home depends mainly on the general state of your home, what is happening with other homes in your community, and how attached you are to your land. You might even want to ask a realtor—they can help you compare your home to other listed and sold properties in your area to help you determine your renovation budget. With more than 28 years of experience, the Woolrich design and construction experts team can help you choose the best value alternative based on your situation. At Woolrich, we always strive to optimize your home to its fullest potential, whether by renovating your existing space or adding living spaces. If we do not feel that the value is there for you to renovate your existing home, we will be the first to let you know. It is imperative to us that everything we do for our clients adds value.

8. Can I live in my home during my home renovation project?

The answer to this varies depending on the scope of the project, whether it is a complete renovation or partial home reno. If you’re renovating your basement, bedroom or bathroom, you’d likely be okay with staying in your home. Or if you are updating an upper floor but have a livable basement, construction could potentially happen while you live in a different part of the house. But be prepared for trades showing up at 8 am to work on your home, and the drywall dust (there’s no getting around the dust). However, it is pretty challenging to live through a full renovation or during a kitchen renovation. Between the dust, mess, inconvenience, and stress, moving out during mass construction may be more manageable. Generally speaking, the more that you can be away from your demolished home, the easier the process will be. We will work with you to get you back home to your newly renovated dream home as soon as possible!

9. Do I need an interior designer? 

You’ve finished your renovation, and your contractor just handed you back the keys to your home….now what? Home renovation isn’t just about the finishes and hardware you selected months ago. It starts with the construction and ends with the final design because that makes a house a home! How do you transform your beautifully renovated house into your home? More importantly, how do you decorate it to reflect your personal taste and style? How do you make it look good while ensuring it is functional, serving your balancing real life needs”?

Interior and exterior designers can actually save you money by getting you better pricing with trusted suppliers. Or they may know of superior or more durable products you may not know about, saving you money in the long run. Our interior designers will also provide sample boards and drawings to transform your space into a home. They also act as a facilitator of the project, eliminating a lot of the stress of completing your home renovation.

Our designers can help you turn your renovated house into a home. Here are some questions our designers often get:

Will a designer get rid of all my stuff? It is a common misconception that your designer will try to get rid of all your existing pieces. Transforming your space into a home is about incorporating the pieces that are personal to you. We love fitting those pieces into the design story of your new home. We can help design your space to be beautiful and functional using some of your old pieces and some new pieces.

Do I have to buy new furniture? While there are things you want to keep, you are likely ready for some changes. After all, you just updated your space. Furniture is one of the most important aspects of your newly renovated home. After all, it is what you’ll sit on, work at, and use daily. Investing in great furniture with a variety of textures can make or break the success of your renovation. Furniture is the first thing you and your guests will notice about the space and is what leaves a lasting impression. Adding a few pieces will create a coherent design and make the space feel fresh and new. Buying quality and timeless pieces ensures you will love your new home for many years to come!

Can I mix and match finishes? Absolutely! The critical thing to remember – is that the style of the finishes needs to coordinate to look visually appealing. For example, sleek satin brass cabinet hardware can look incredible with a modern black faucet and stainless appliances, as long as they are in the same style family. We can help you navigate what goes well together for a cohesive look throughout your home.

How do I choose what finishes will be best? 

A good designer will always ask a ton of questions to help put together a profile of your family lifestyle and habits to help choose the finishes, fixtures, and furniture that will best stand the test of time. Do you have pets or small children? You probably don’t want a floor that will dent easily or a sofa that will show fur and marks from sticky fingers. Designers take into consideration your desired aesthetic while finding finishes that are durable, easily cleaned and that work well.

How do I choose accent décor pieces?

Accent decor pieces are a cost-effective and fun way to make your space feel fresh and new! Here are some of our tips to liven up your newly renovated space:

• Area rugs can add a new warmth and depth to a space! With a movement towards the raw and natural, we suggest jute and patterned wool area rugs. They are classy and natural and fit with almost every aesthetic. With so many great finds on carpets, you do not have to break the bank! Wayfair’s selection is huge, while Urban Barn/Crate and Barrel and Pottery Barn provide a more luxurious option. On a budget? Check out HomeSense ( yes, we LOVE this place). You just need to go often and bring your dimension and paint colours!
• Mirrors can fill the space with visual interest and texture and play with the light!
• Gallery wall <<Elle Décor,>> can be created on a large wall, stairwell, or a corner as a perfect place to display family photos and other sentimental items. Don’t be afraid– start in the middle and work outwards (and be creative)! You can find box sets of frames on websites like Wayfair and Amazon or by making another trip to Homesense or Michaels.
• Artwork, photos and small décor are important visual layers. Every client has pieces that they own and love. Often, these cherished pieces can be incorporated into the new space. If they don’t fit the design aesthetic, all it takes is reprinting photographs in black and white or reframing artwork in order to incorporate it into the space.
• Paint can completely change the whole feeling of a space. All it takes is a fresh coat of paint. Some of our favourite colours come from Benjamin Moore, including Bleeker Beige, Revere Pewter, Fog Mist, Ballet White, Willow and Iron Mountain.
• Textiles are the finishing layers of any space. The right fabrics add warmth, texture and a feeling of completeness! Custom draperies and pillows are worth the investment. If you do not have the budget for custom draperies, you can always start with stationary panels to flank the windows. Pillows don’t need to match perfectly, but if they are within the same colour scheme, you can have fun mixing and matching patterns and textures!
• Plant life or greenery are universally acknowledged as must-haves, a way of visually lifting a space, introducing a punch of colour, and adding charm. Plant life also betters air quality and has been proven to lift spirits — perfect for those long Calgary winters.

Give your renovation the wow factor with the right design!

10. How do I choose a contractor for my home renovation project? 

Renovations are one of the largest investments that homeowners will make in a lifetime. They are also recognized as one of the most stressful events that a homeowner might endure! With rising costs and many decisions, the stress can be overwhelming. Renovating is a difficult task, so hiring the right people to work with is critical.

Hire an Integrated Design and Construction Team

Once you decide to proceed with a home renovation, the next big question is who to hire first, the designer or the contractor?

A qualified contractor has experience and knowledge in the construction process and access to loyal and reliable trades. They handle the quoting, planning, ordering, scheduling, billing and insurance and can offer advice as needed. On the other hand, an interior designer has the vision and the creativity, advanced knowledge of products and trends, and is an expert at maximizing space. It can be challenging to work with two different design and construction companies, as you will end up being the project manager. Also, the personalities and processes of the different teams might not align, leading to finger-pointing and red tape. The solution to reducing your home renovation stress is hiring a design-build company where design and construction are integrated into one company, like ours. Combining the design and the Contracting under one roof means you can rest easy having one group take care of all your needs. Our integrated team has a solid process based on communication transparency and understanding the common goal we are working towards. Having the creative ability, structural knowledge, and access to all the trades under one roof, we are your one-stop shop for renovations or new builds. The best part of an integrated design-build team like ours is we can help you reduce costs and get it done faster.

Why?

Because we see the big picture: With design, architecture, construction and project management in-house, we see the big picture. With our firm executing and overseeing the project, we can manage the whole project and ensure it all turns out the way it’s supposed to!

Because details don’t get lost in Translation: If you hire multiple companies to complete the project, details can get lost. With the Woolrich Group, our team works together to ensure everything stays correct from start to finish. The details will remain intact, down to each finishing touch.

Because it is seamless from start to finish, you can say goodbye to big hassles, unforeseen circumstances, and errors made by contractors. Working together as a team allows us to be more aware of all the obstacles that come our way so we can manage them in-house. Hiring a firm with everything you need to execute a complete home build, addition or renovation – gives us the ability to execute projects relatively seamlessly.

Because it’s more efficient: Thinking of hiring different firms to execute a project? The added cost will be overwhelming, and the time required to communicate between each element will be as time-consuming as the project itself. If you hire a firm that communicates together as a team, you can eliminate the extra time on yourself and the added cost that the project can drain from your account.

Because we set and stick to a realistic budget: This is where hiring an integrated team has the most value. Often, homeowners put an abundance of time and money into a beautiful design, only to have the quotes come in double or triple their allotted budget. When you hire our integrated team you get the input of the designer, architect, contractor and trades from the start to create a preliminary design to help you decide on the scope. We help focus your design dollars on the areas that fit within the budget. This step saves time and money, allowing you to move forward confidently and realistically with your home renovations.

Trust us to get it right. Our in-house design and construction teams work in lock-step throughout your home renovation– we talk the same language and have aligned goals, creating a synergy within our talented team. Our process is one of the critical success factors in delivering a high-quality renovation on time and within budget with the following:

• Constant Communication: We believe that communication with our clients is #1 – always. From the beginning, we communicate the full scope of your home renovation or new build project so you know the costs and timeline upfront. Knowing the process of what will happen in your home and the end result – will eliminate a lot of the guesswork. There are so many moving parts of a renovation – involving products, schedules, trades, equipment, and unknowns. It helps to be realistic and aware of the dust, schedules, changes, decisions, and issues will help to reduce the stress on clients.
• No Surprises: As an integrated team, we work together to eliminate the element of surprise. Since you hire an entire team when you work with us (exteriors and interiors, design, construction, etc.), we communicate with each other so that you don’t have to worry about mishaps or miscommunications. Problems almost always arise; it’s just a part of the renovation world! But, by hiring us, you are essentially hiring expert problem solvers who will remedy a situation as it arises and often come to you with a pre-planned solution. Starting a renovation with a calm and aware mind helps alleviate unnecessary stress when creating a beautiful, functional space for years to come.
• 3D Renderings: We can show you a 3D rendering of the interior or exterior of your home – before the project begins. It will allow you to SEE your renovations and make adjustments BEFORE the renovation starts. So you can make sure you end up with precisely what you want.
• No Hidden Costs: Our quotes include everything and every detail. So, you can rest assured you will avoid a considerable unforeseen cost at the end of the renovation. Our quotes are extensive, and we fully encourage you to compare any other quotes you receive. We want you to be able to compare “apples to apples” – with an extensive quote that leaves no stone unturned.
• Design Focussed: We work with our in-house interior designers to ensure our construction team implements your design dreams at every turn.

We are truly a one-stop shop for all your design and construction needs, with everything in-house, from planning to design to execution. Are you ready to dive into creating your dream home? A home that is more suited to your taste, needs and lifestyle? Get in touch to chat and start the process!