Before DeCarli Contractors embarks on a whole home or major renovation, we always do the investigative work required to understand the job at hand. Investigative work is the only way we can know the scope of what’s involved, which allows us to estimate accurately and avoid unpleasant surprises when work is already underway.
The discovery process
The discovery process involves touring the building, but also opening up small sections of ceilings and walls. We need to find out various things: how the HVAC works and how it is routed, where the drainage plumbing is, and the state of the insulation, as examples.
A proper discovery is even more important if you’re changing the layout of the house. All mechanical and electrical systems need to be thoroughly investigated so that they can be used optimally throughout the renovation. It’s most cost-effective to change HVAC and drainage plumbing configuration as little as possible, for example. If plumbing is not where we expect it, we need to put a plan together that works and integrate that into the larger renovation plan. If the insulation is either inadequate or vermin-infested and tunnelled, that also requires remediation.
By the same token, if the plan calls for the addition of central air conditioning, we will need to add ductwork, which involves opening up ceilings to find out which way floor joists run, where bulkheads are, which cavities we can make use of, and predict areas where ductwork will be problematic.
Speaking of modifications, it’s important to understand structural and load-bearing components of the building if the renovation you have in mind requires structural work. That’s not always the case, but if it is then an in-depth assessment of the building’s structure is a must-do.
The option to ‘make it right’
There are really two aims to the investigative process. One is to ensure that the final quote for your major renovation is inclusive of everything that actually needs to be done. Two is to provide you with the opportunity to improve your home or cottage and ‘make it right’. That’s because we believe it’s our job not to ignore things that haven’t been addressed in the past. If your insulation is poor, now might be the best time to correct that. If the floor is rotted out around a window or a toilet, why not remedy the situation?
It’s seldom possible to know everything ahead of time. Say, for instance, you open up a small portion of a wall and you find out that the insulation has been vermin-disturbed. A choice needs to be made about whether to tackle the insulation on this project as a complete remove-and-replace or just stick to the spots that you have to open up. Because if you find signs of vermin in spot A, chances are high that you will also find them in Spots B, C, D and E.
But unless you open up more wall, the potential for the unforeseen is not known. That’s why we declare what we don’t know right at the quoting phase. And we can give you a good idea of what that unknown element, if realized, will cost. A good builder declares the potential for the unforeseen instead of just coming to you with an additional cost, and perhaps an extended timeline, during the renovation process.
With proper discovery, a strong understanding of construction and good upfront budgeting, whole home renovations tend to go smoothly, achieving the desired result, with no unpleasant surprises.
If you’re ready to embark on a major renovation in the North Simcoe area, we would be happy to consult.
