Now it's time to wrap up the planning phase and work toward the action phase. By this time you should have decided which tradesmen to work with, or on a general contractor or kitchen designer who will take care of that for you.
This part of the process is all about fine tuning the details. Make sure everyone that's working with you is on the same page and clear on what is expected of them. By the end of this step you'll be signing contracts and handing over down payments.
This is where we see a lot of time get eaten up. Once that contract is signed and the first payment is out there; there's no going back. Depending on the extent of the project, this can be a very large undertaking; not only finacially, but also physically and emotionally during the demolition, rebuild and installation. It's not surprising that some clients drag their feet a little.
However, if everything is carefully planned, the process usually goes smoothly - with just a few weeks inconvenience. To make sure things start off on a good foot:
Before contracts are signed and timelines created, check with your local town hall or county courthouse for any permits or inspections required for your project
Set up a master timeline, make sure it works with all tradesmen involved (allow 1-2 days cushioning between each section of the timeline); make sure everyone has a copy
Set up a master contact list, distribute it to everyone working on the project
Name, contact number and job of all tradesmen involved (ie.if the plumber has a question the cabinetry, it's easier to call him directly)
Your contact info; including work and cell
Know who is responsible for everything (ie. counter top people install the sink, but usually require the plumber to hook it up)
Be clear about what's included with your contracts (ie. installation, warrenties, touch-ups/repairs)
By now, if you're like most of our clients, your excited about the finished project and nervous (or even dreading) the process. But if you've planned well, everything should go smoothly.
