Lenton Company - Kitchen Remodel

Debunking Common Myths About Green Remodeling

As the world becomes more environmentally conscious, some homeowners are making eco-friendly upgrades to their property. If you’ve recently started searching for design-build services, then you may be wondering if going green is a cost-effective and smart move. Perhaps, you have some false assumptions about green remodeling that are holding you back. In that case, here are some common assumptions about eco-homes that are complete myths.

Green Remodeling Is Way More Expensive

This is only true if you look at the smaller picture because having a green home will save you lots of money in the long run. That’s because after a green remodel, your home will be more efficient than ever, which results in a significant reduction in your utility bills. Besides that, green homes reduce your carbon footprint and are kinder on the planet. That’s why there are many grants and tax incentives from local, state, and federal agencies. If you’re financing the project, some institutions even offer significant discounts if you’re using the funds to purchase green products.

There Are No Quality Green Products

This myth might have been supported by the fact that there are many unregulated products on the market. Some companies simply attach the “green” and “eco-friendly” labels to their products without qualifying their claim. Therefore, when buying green products, it’s important to check their features to see what exactly makes them green or eco-friendly. Once you do, you’ll find that green products are not only effective but durable and high-quality.

Contractors Don’t Understand Green Remodeling

This entirely depends on where you’re looking. Often, it’s best to seek design-build services since this eliminates the need to find several contractors. So, instead of trying to find several contractors that are all familiar with green remodeling, all you have to do is find a single design-build firm with intimate knowledge of eco-homes. Typically, design-build services include all aspects of the project — from project design and product selection to construction.

Green Remodeling Is Just a Passing Trend

This is not the case at all. Considering that 80% of houses in the U.S. are more than 20 years old, not only are remodels popular, but as mentioned earlier, the world is becoming more green-conscious. Plus, energy-efficient homes have higher resale value, which is why the number of eco-homes keeps growing and growing.

design-build remodeling

Your Step-by-Step Guide to Design-Build Remodeling

Despite the large-scale investment in real estate property, many homeowners still live in older homes. Statistics show 80% of the houses in the United States are older than 20 years old. This means many houses may need remodeling after some time.

Remodeling projects often seem simple, but the truth is they can be very taxing if planning to hire and coordinate architects, contractors, suppliers, and tradespeople. Coordinating their responsibilities is quite a feat, hence the need to enlist the help of a design-build remodeling company. The company combines experts in project design, construction, product selection, and coordinates the work on the project, taking a huge load off your shoulders. Here’s a step-by-step guide explaining what design-build remodeling entails.

Step1: Schedule a Meeting with the Company

The first step is to schedule a meeting with the design-build contractor to discuss the type of remodeling project you want, provide important information about your home and the location of your property. This meeting also helps contractors define and set expectations about the project.

Step 2: Discuss the Scope of the Project

The contractor then explains the project’s scope, budget requirements, and challenges for remodeling the existing space. Next, the company develops plans, specifications, pricing and sets a design-build remodeling schedule.

Step 3: Make Design Selections

During this stage, the design team prepares design concepts to show the room arrangement at the site. Some companies prepare 3D models to help customers visualize the final product. In case the project cost exceeds your budget, the contractor may suggest a few changes. The expert works closely with the customer to ensure their wishes are met even after making the changes.

Step 4: Refining the Design

This step involves the preparation of detailed drawings to illustrate other aspects of the proposed design. If remodeling the entire house, the team presents a floor plan displaying all the rooms along with their sizes. Other consultants may also be called upon to provide critical information to avoid surprises during construction. Also, the project is reviewed again to determine if its duration should be extended. The team references the cost and budget when making this decision to avoid deviating.

Step 5: Signing the Construction Contract

The contractor signs a contract showing the start and the completion date and directs the project manager to ensure the work flows according to plan.

Step 6: Regular Communication

The design-build contractor, project manager, or production manager must provide updates about the project’s progress. They are also required to perform quality control walks to ensure your expectations are fully met. In fact, some companies have online systems that allow customers to track the project online.

Step 7: Completing the Project

At the end of the project, the design-build team schedules a meeting with the customer to explain the project’s construction process in detail. The team also provides pricing details, selected materials, lien releases, and warranty information to finalize the project.

This seven-step process should give you an idea of how design-build remodeling projects are executed. Keep in mind project completion isn’t always the end of the project. The team reviews the structure periodically to ensure your home remains in top-notch shape.