Renovation Checklist for Your House

Good Communication between the owner, architect, and builder is the key. Here are the typical steps involved in the planning and construction stages.

STEP 1
WHAT TO BUILD
Begin by communicating your ideas for the project with an architect, builder, residential designer, or draftsman. This dialog should include specifics, such as the size and number of rooms you want to add, how you will use the new space, and who will use it. Also discuss your goals, lifestyle, preferred types of architecture, and budget.

STEP 2
ROUGH SKETCHES
The design professional prepares a series of rough sketches called schematic designs. These sketches show possible approaches to consider and give a general idea about room arrangement and function. You should be happy with these preliminary plans before you proceed to the next stage.

STEP 3
REFINING THE SCHEME
After the schematics are accepted, the design professional creates drawings that are more detailed. A complete floor plan illustrates the dimensions and configuration of the rooms, and specifications include primary building materials and finishes.

STEP 4
CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS
Once the design is approved, construction documents are prepared. These are the working drawings and building specifications that the builder will use to determine costs and to actually build the project.

STEP 5
CONSTRUCTION
Ideas become reality. Your contractor is responsible for building techniques, procedures, and the schedules of all of the workers. Although the process might move more slowly than you'd like, just remember Rome (or home) wasn't built in a day.