The Benefits of a Detailed Remodeling Plan: Preventing Cost Overruns

When you decide to remodel your home, you’re choosing to invest in it. You are making it better–a better fit for your family and needs, a better place for loved ones to gather, a better place to live. You are investing in it financially as well, putting some of your hard-earned money into changing it into the home of your dreams. You need to know how much it will cost and where your money is going, and be confident that the budget you’ve planned for is what you actually spend.

We believe the best way to prevent cost overruns is by having a solid, detailed remodeling plan. McLennan Contracting is a design-build company, which means that all our planning, designing, making selections, applying for permits, demolition, and construction are handled in-house. This ensures a great plan is in place to give you the remodel you want for the budget you expect.

Problems You Might Run Into Without a Good Plan

If you don’t have a solid, thorough, detailed remodeling plan, you could run into some problems. A plan helps you, your contractor, and your team know exactly what to expect, what decisions have been made, and what the priorities are. Without this information, you may run into project delays as unexpected issues come up or materials need to be ordered. 

You might have communication issues with your contractor and his team. You can verbally explain what you want and what is important to you, but without a detailed plan, your contractor may take something different away from the conversation. It’s easy to have misunderstandings when it’s about something as complex and multi-faceted as a home remodel–and it’s vital that everyone is on the same page.

And finally, you will likely incur unexpected costs without a good plan. From unforeseen issues that might crop up to changes in the scope of work, cost overruns could occur in any number of areas as you walk through the construction process. 

How a Detailed Plan Helps You Stick to Your Budget

Have you heard the old saying, “You either plan for it upfront or you pay for it later”? That’s absolutely true in the remodeling world. When you have a detailed plan before you start demolition (as you will if you choose a design-build company), you know before the first hammer swings exactly what’s going to happen. You and your team have thought through and planned out every aspect of the project, even down to choosing finishes and colors. You have a complete materials list, a scope of work, and a solid proposal telling you what to expect the final project to cost. This means, as you look at your plan, you can make changes as needed before construction gets going. 

Going through the planning process with a designer or Project Developer will help you get clarity on exactly what you hope for in your remodel. Your team will help you decide on your priorities, in line with your budget. They will discuss your needs (the things you absolutely must have) and your wants (not strictly necessary but nice to have). With their assistance, you can make plans for what will work best for you and your family.

Finally, with a detailed plan, you will have fewer unexpected issues crop up. You want your team to spend the time upfront studying your home, learning your desires, making an excellent plan, ordering the correct materials, and thinking through possible issues before demolition and construction start. When this happens, though change orders are sometimes still necessary, they are rare and usually easily dealt with, because your team has planned for contingencies.

Design-Build Companies Do This Well

Remodeling companies that follow the design-build model are great at coming up with detailed, workable plans. In fact, that’s one of the things we’re known for. We put a good deal of effort into the design phase of a remodel, resulting in much higher homeowner satisfaction than you’d get with the process followed by traditional remodelers. The design-build process emphasizes planning and project development, where a homeowner meets with a Project Developer and talks through every aspect of the planned remodel. They get to see their remodel in 3D renderings and design concepts that allow them to visualize the final product, and they are walked through all the decisions they need to make before construction starts.

With a solid plan, you will know what your project will cost before it starts. You will have confidence that your contractor knows your project backward and forwards and is clear on what you want to have done. You will feel sure that your team is working together and with you to bring the carefully designed plan to life in your home.

Components of a Good Plan

How do you know if the plan your contractor gives you is a good one? There are several things to look for.

• Budget forecasts. Do you have a detailed, solid proposal that takes into account all the aspects of the plan you and your team put together? (If you’re unclear on terms, check out this post for the difference between estimates, bids, quotes, and proposals.)
• Timeline estimates. While it can be hard to predict exactly how long a remodel will take, your contractor should be able to give you an estimate. He should be able to base this on the design your team has put together, the materials he will order, how long permits will take, etc. 
• Materials lists. As you choose finishes, make selections, and finalize plans, your team should be able to give you a list of materials and associated costs. 
• Contingency strategies. Are there any issues the contractor suspects he might run into? How will issues be handled as they come up? What happens if you do end up needing change orders? Your team should have plans in place for these possibilities.

A Good Plan Gives You Peace of Mind

While you can never fully predict everything that will happen in a home remodel, a detailed plan will go a long way toward helping you prepare. It’s the best way to prevent cost overruns and help you stick to your budget. It helps you manage your resources responsibly and with care. It provides a detailed roadmap for your team to follow to make your home everything you want it to be. McLennan Contracting has a team of designers ready to help you. A home remodel is an investment in your home, your family, and yourself, and a thorough plan ensures that it’s a great investment. Contact us today and let’s get going on a plan you’ll love.