Ready to take on a remodel or new home build? Get organized before you get started. Here’s our guide to the factors that will make your home remodel run smoothly and result in a home you can be proud of. 

Before: Planning Your Luxury Home Build or Remodel

Before you break ground — or even hire a team — there’s some research you should do so you can be sure you make the right decisions. 

Get Inspiration 

Pinterest, Instagram, and TikTok are full of home design inspiration, from professionals and DIY-ers alike. These areas are a great starting point. Develop mood boards or collections of your favorite homes. This allows you to see what each space has in common. Maybe you love a bright and airy kitchen, a sundrenched sitting room, or a moody and serene spa bathroom. 

From there, you can start looking at home builders. Keep your inspiration in mind, it will come in handy for the next step. 

Research & Interview Homebuilders 

As you research residential contractors for your remodel or new home build, keep your inspiration in mind and compare it to the projects they showcase. You don’t just want a team that can execute, you want a professional that can internalize your ideal result and bring your vision to life. 

Once you have a short list of contractors, get in touch with all of them and ask specific questions, such as: 

• How do you manage projects and what tools do you use to communicate?
• What is included in your estimate and pricing?
• Do you have references, particularly for similar projects? 

This will let you know their aptitude for handling your project and give you confidence in the team you choose to hire.  

Prep Your Living Space  

Once you’ve chosen a team, you’ll want to prepare your home for renovation. If you are building new and already have a place to live while it’s in progress, this step is easy. However, for those taking on a full remodel, you’ll need to pack up your home and make alternate living arrangements. 

For some, this looks like staying with local relatives. For others, it might be a short-term rental. If you aren’t having a full gut renovation, you may be able to stay in your home, but ensure you have planned for spaces that will be unusable — like a kitchen. If you have an outdoor entertaining space, use the opportunity to get familiar with your barbecue and dine al fresco!

During: Tips to Make Your Project Run Smoothly 

When your home is under construction, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer volume of work happening. Whether you are on-site or not, here are our tips to ensure peace of mind and confidence while your home undergoes a transformation. 

Navigate Decisions Together 

In addition to being responsible for bringing your vision to life, your builder is your guide throughout the process. If you work with an experienced, local home builder that understands your aesthetics as well as your locality, you’ll be able to tap into a wealth of knowledge. 

From helping you select the right architect for designs, to breaking down big projects into small achievable milestones, your builder will have your back — that’s why it’s important to hire the right one. 

Work with One Point of Contact 

Once work begins, a reputable home builder will have preferred subcontractors and vendors, and will act as the single point of contact for you, the homeowner. You shouldn’t have to coordinate schedules, manage deliveries, or play a role in project management.  Your home builder’s team should serve as the singular source of all information and updates throughout your project, including team coordination, permitting, and scheduling. 

At Z Construction, we take a collaborative team approach and not only manage all subcontractors, but have key trades like flooring, custom cabinetry, and weatherproof windows in house. This streamlines our operations and reduces the number of crews involved, resulting in less worry for you. 

Communicate Clearly

Residential construction projects are complicated, which means communication can be as well. Transparency and honesty are vital to the success of your project — from both the homebuilder and you as the homeowner. Ensure success by being clear and timely with your communications, particularly if work doesn’t meet your expectations or you require a change. Putting these communications in writing also helps keep your crew aligned. Require this from your builder as well, so you can be sure you always know the latest news and status of your home. 

After: Move-in and More

Inspect and Assess

The first item on your move-in list should be a proper inspection. This is for peace of mind and to ensure the work behind the scenes is up to par. While your builder will be inspecting their work as they complete it, a third-party inspection can uncover any errors or defects before they become costly problems. This also ensures you’ll have the opportunity to work with your builder to solve any issues right away, without further delaying your move-in. 

Review Warranties 

Whether you had a full remodel, updated your kitchen, or built new, review your warranties on structural, mechanical, and any new appliances. 

In Florida especially, make sure you know about warranties for windows, roofs, and other areas prone to storm damage. This can help you decide if you need to purchase additional support or insurance. 

Enjoy Your Home

The last step — after a year or more of construction, stepping into your brand new home for the first time should feel like a celebration. Hosting a housewarming, settling in with your family, and enjoying your new space is what this whole process is about. 

Get in touch to learn more about Z Construction’s full-service, collaborative approach to new homes and gut remodels in Fort Lauderdale and surrounding areas.