How to Make a Phased Maryland Or DC Remodel Work for You

What is a phased remodel? As the name would imply, it is a remodel that is completed in phases. Instead of taking on a potentially overwhelming and costly amount of work in one go, a phased remodel allows you to work through it in chunks. There are several benefits to this tactic, and it’s important to weigh the pros and cons before you start.

Remodeling is a big job. It can turn your home and your life upside down for several months at a time. If you have a busy work life and a family, doing it this way may be challenging. Breaking it up into bite-sized pieces might be a better approach.

Start With a Solid Plan

It always helps to start with a good plan. A master plan will give you the big picture so you can consider all the variables. Even if you do the work in phases, you need to have a plan in place before your start job one. Planning is hugely beneficial as it eases the stress along the way.

Just because you have a master plan doesn’t mean you’re locked into it. Say that early in the design process, you decide that you want a sunroom off the kitchen. You add it to the master plan and make it the third of four renovation phases. But as the renovation progresses, you decide you don’t need the sunroom because the remodel is already giving you what you need. You can then push up the fourth phase of the remodel and save yourself a little time, effort, and money. Not to mention, you will avoid the regret you’ll feel and the inevitable “what was I thinking!”

Phased or not, being proactive with your planning is guaranteed to pay off.

Living at Home During Your Remodel

A whole-home remodel can seriously disrupt your day-to-day activities. Living in a construction zone is no picnic. It’s dusty, it’s noisy, and you have the pleasure of looking at plastic tarps, machines, and tools for as long as it takes to get the work done.

Depending on the complexity of the job, it might actually be better to stay elsewhere, either for a few days or through the whole process. Uprooting your life this way isn’t easy, but if you have children, pets, or allergies, or if you work from home, there might be no other choice if you want to maintain your sanity. Moving out is an extra expense, but if the work gets done faster, it could actually save you money in the end.

Having one or two rooms under renovation at a time is manageable if you plan it right. You can still live in your home and navigate around the spaces that are under construction. We use state-of-the-art barriers and industrial air scrubbers to minimize the dust. If we’re working on the kitchen, we can even set up a temporary kitchen for you so you can maintain your routine. Whatever you decide, we will do our utmost to ensure your comfort.

Consider Your Budget

A phased remodel can be a boon for those who aren’t able to invest in a full remodel right off the bat. With a phased approach, you make a smaller down payment at the beginning and continue making payments as the work is completed, breaking up the overall cost into affordable chunks that can be paid at manageable intervals. 

Although the final number may be a little bit higher than it would be if you paid for and completed the entire remodel in one go, it does offer more financial flexibility. If you’re not in a position to carry the whole job right away, but you are committed to the change, a phased approach could be a good option.

Working Around Your Schedule

Nobody wants to live in a construction zone. With phased remodels, the relentless noise and activity in your home become a thing of the past. When we divide the work into smaller chunks, it makes every phase of the construction much shorter. When you know exactly how long a phase is going to take, it’s easier to coordinate things around what’s going on in your life.

Although it will take a bit of extra effort and discussion during the planning phase, a phased remodel can give you the home of your dreams with much less hassle. With the right master plan, a trusted design-build team on your side, and a bit of patience, your remodel will be a great success.

Are you planning a remodel to your Maryland or Washington, DC, home? We’d love to hear your ideas! Reach out today, and let’s get started.