One very key trait that your architect should have is a current handle on constructions costs.  Your architect should be experienced working with a wide gambit of general contractors ranging from all points of the cost spectrum.  Every home remodel requiring the help of an architect to design inevitably goes through a cost reduciton phase.  It’s very easy to throw in everything including the kitchen sink (literally) and come up with a great design for a home remodel that you can’t afford.

Continue reading “Cost Accuracy” »

My wife and I were quite pleased working with our architect.  He was a local architect which is very desirable because he was known by the planning and building officials at city hall.  This is extremely important.  If you do end up working with an architect you want to find someone who’s familiar with your city’s specific building codes and understands what it will take to get your plans through the building department.  The more plans they have submitted on behalf of their clients to get approved - the better.  Building officials will still scrutinize every last detail of the plans, but they’ll be used to working with your architect’s style, thinking and other nuances.

Continue reading “Working with an Architect” »

We determined that we wanted to go “Out” to expand the living quarters and “Up” to build a master suite, but we weren’t sure how much it would be to do either or both.  The person to eventually answer that question would be our architect.

Continue reading “The Architect vs. The Home Designer” »

Once we decided that we would remodel to address our foundation issue, it was time to figure out the scope of our remodel.  Our home was built in the 1950’s.  Our home was a bi-level house with all the sleeping quarters built on top of the garage.  The living quarters were all downstairs on the first floor.  While determining the scope of the remodel we listed out priorities for remodeling.

1. expand the living quarters for our future family
2. create a master suite for us
3. modernize our interior - especially the kitchen
4. take more advantage of our view of the San Francisco Bay and canyon

Continue reading “Up or Out” »

There are a bunch of general contractors here in the San Francisco Bay Area who label themselves as being “turnkey”.  What does this mean exactly?  It usually boils down to a combination of common selling points that they offer as part of their service:

1. little or no owner monitoring needed - we’ll call you if there is an issue otherwise we’ll take care of it
2. what we build for you will be in ready to use condition
3. we’re a one stop shop for all your needs for the entire construction process - i.e. design and build
4. incidentals outside of major scope changes will be taken care of that arise on the job

Continue reading “Turnkey and Bid Itemization” »

The diagram below shows a contour map of our previous floor plan.  To create this map, a structural engineer walks around the first floor of your home with a fancy instrument called a manometer.  You can read more about contour maps and manometers from manufacturers like this one.  In our case, there was no high-tech device just a bucket of water, a yardstick and siphoned hose taped up against the yardstick.

Continue reading “Why We Remodeled - Part 2″ »

Contingency - 20%+

If you read any decent remodeling guide, almost all advocate setting aside or obtaining funds of at least 20% of your estimated remodeling budget in addition to whatever you determine to be your budget.  Some actually advocate even more anywhere from 30-40%.

Continue reading “What’s with the Contingency Fund?” »

Remodel Project Scope

The first step in any good project planning is to define the scope of the work.  The scope of work in general will give you some idea  of the order of magnitude your remodeling ambitions have earmarked.  Understanding the order of magnitude and scope of the work is your barometer for everything else that matters to you as a homeowner - time and cost of your remodel.

Continue reading “The Big Line” »

The Original House

I wouldn’t go so far as to say that our old house was totally shabby.  Built in the 1950’s, it was a typical home you would find on the San Francisco Peninsula.  1,400 square foot living space, 1,700 sq ft if you count the garage.  Our home was a bi-level home with the sleeping quarters built entirely on the garage.  The living quarters were all on the first floor in a separate wing.  The interior was definitely in need of some modernization.  Our kitchen for example, still had the original GE electric range that the house probably came with.

Continue reading “Why We Remodeled - Part 1″ »

Welcome!

My blog is still under construction…we hope to launch soon!

This blog chronicles our own experience being the general contractor on our home remodel in the San Francisco Bay Area, where construction costs are one of the highest in the country.  I will be posting stories from the lessons we learned the hard way and offering products that I developed to help get us through the challenges we faced.

Thanks for visiting, please check back often!