To continue last month’s article, here is the other half of
the Top Ten things to remember when renovating your home’s interior.
Sixth, always buy the
best you can afford. If you are truly making an investment
in your home, buy good quality. I don’t
believe in many “rules” of design, but there is one that is my mantra “Do it
right, do it once and never have to do it again.” This rule has held many satisfied clients and
me in good stead. This applies to not
only the products you buy but who does the work. I am not totally against do-it-yourself but
most projects are best left to the professionals. A good floor refinisher is worth it. Certainly the mechanics – electricians,
plumbers, and roofers, heating and cooling contractors – are worth every
penny. But get referrals and interview
them to make sure they are on the same wavelength when it comes to preserving
older homes. Here’s a personal story as
an example. When a plumber came to
install the “new, old fixtures” in our bathroom, he suggested removing the
original pedestal sink and replacing it “with a much more convenient vanity
cabinet” and oh, by the way, he would be happy to get rid of the old sink. Needless to say he was out the door and never
stepped foot in my home again.
Seventh, be diligent
in following what your contractors are doing. If you don’t have the time to be around when
the work is being done, hire someone with some experience in project management. Mistakes and change orders are costly. The investment in the service of a
professional makes good sense. More of
my time as a designer is spent handling the project than in the original design
– making sure the correct products are ordered and received, getting bids from
contractors, checking their contracts, overseeing the installation, checking
paint colors, and the list goes on. Be
prepared to stand your ground with contractors.
As I stand there with my arms crossed, I often hear an array of excuses
from contractors not wanting to follow directions – “That’s not how it’s
done.” “You won’t like it that
way.” And if those don’t work, “It’s
going to cost more.” I think I’ve heard
all their excuses. It’s your home so
standup for your decisions.
Eighth, be prepared to
live with a mess. Most of us have
to live through our renovation projects.
Draped plastic is only fun for a short time. It is amazing how far a
little plaster dust can travel. My
advice is to pack small items away from harm, cover every piece of furniture
and seal-off every area that you can.
Then just grit your teeth and bear it.
But do have firm commitments on beginning and end dates, with the
exceptions of additional work that becomes necessary during the project.
Ninth, be fair and
loyal to your contractors. Your
product suppliers and contractors will be your best allies. They deserve to be treated with respect, not
“nickel and dimed,” and to have their time used wisely. Make sure you have all the decisions made,
necessary work permits on hand and be ready to go. The golden rule always applies. If you treat them well they will bend over
backwards to help you. I am still using
the same contractors – and usually only those contractors - for 35 years.
Tenth, celebrate your
accomplishment. On my website I
have paraphrased an expression that was attributed to Abraham Lincoln. It says, “A person should be proud of their
home and it should be proud of them.” If
you have the heart of a historic preservationist, you always feel like you want
to give old homes and buildings lots of TLC.
It takes patience and a lot of blood, sweat and tears. But all of it is worth it when you and your
guests say “WOW” when the project is completed. Have lots of fun events and parties in
your home to celebrate your hard work and accomplishment.
