WHOLE HOUSE REMODELS
Whole House Remodel Services
Whole House Remodeling - Step by Step
Demolition – Before the new and improved can be installed, the old needs to be done away with. Demolition can mean different things to different homeowners, but could include everything from pulling up carpet and wallpaper to tearing down walls or cutting a hole in the roof. Some demolition projects can be done in a day or two while others may take much longer. You will want to have a plan in place for staying somewhere else during this process.
Rebuilding – After the demo is complete it is time to start rebuilding. If walls are being repositioned or added this is the step where wood framing is reassembled along with windows and doors being installed within the framework. For room add-ons, the roof will be added and enclosed along with the gutters and exterior siding.
Mechanicals – Once the skeleton of the new rooms has been completed, the utilities can be repositioned to fit the space. This step may also coincide with the rebuilding step if your contractor wants to piece everything together at the same time. Depending on the scope of your project this might be a good time to rewire the entire house especially if you live in an older model. For those who are installing new appliances or find they will be utilizing numerous electronic devices, the electrical panel may need updating as well. Gas and water utilities need to be considered especially if you are remodeling a bathroom and/or a kitchen. Water lines are not as easy to move so your remodeling project may have to be carefully planned around existing pipes. However, this is also a good opportunity to update water supply lines to new copper pipes which are not only more sturdy but allow water to run more quietly. For a remodel that is going to add gas appliances, running new pipes is a must but a larger meter may need to be installed too. During this third step, the duct work for central heating and air conditioning units will also be moved or extended to accommodate your new space.
Walls – After all of the behind the scenes work is done it is time to start enclosing the walls. Insulation will be inserted or blown in first. Dry wall will be hung next along with taping, mudding, and sanding. Once the walls are smooth they are ready for paint, wall paper, or whatever finish you chose during your planning stages.
Flooring – While some contractors choose to install the flooring after the walls have been painted and finished in order to avoid damage to the floors, others could recommend flooring first. This will be discussed as part of your overall plan. Any needed subflooring will likely have been installed during the rebuilding step but now is the time for your personal choice in flooring to bring the room together.
Cabinets – This is the step where your personal design choices really start to become noticeable. Any new cabinets for the kitchen or bathroom will be installed during this step. Everything from upper storage cabinets to vanities along with countertops that have been pre-cut with spaces to accommodate sinks and appliances. This step will probably be skipped if you only remodeled the bedrooms or living room.
Appliances – Your new space is now ready to become functional. Any new appliances you fit into your plan and budget will be installed. Everything from the refrigerator to the stove, sinks and tubs with their stylish faucets and fixtures, as well as the washer and dryer. Even if you chose to keep your previous appliances they will be introduced to their new locations.
Final touches – Before clean-up can begin all of the finishing touches will be applied. Touch-ups to paint will be completed along with any wallpaper that needed to wait until floors were done. Those personal touches like the customized backsplash and light fixtures will be installed. Along with door and window trim, hooks, shelving, and hardware. If you aren’t a person with an eye for decorating, this is the step in which an interior decorator can help make your personal style a reality.
