Multiple remodeling projects take planning

Question: I just moved intoan older home and have a slewof remodeling projects totackle. Is it better to do themall at once or take it room by room?

Answer: Many clients ask thisquestion, especially those with several children at home. Myresponse is based on three mainfactors: time, cost andconvenience.

Time

This factor is prettycut-and-dried. The more workdone at once, the faster it goes.This lets your remodeling firmtake care of everything —plumbing, tile, cabinets, countersand drywall. It allows for theproject’s different processes andstages to be coordinated. It alsoenables your remodeler to beefficient and deliverhigh quality andcompetitive pricing.

Cost

As with mostthings, there’s adirect relationshipbetween how longsomething takesand how much it costs. The moreefficient remodelers are, the lessyour project costs. Only your budgetcan tell you what you can afford, socompare the project-by-project coststo the all-at-once expenses,including potential costs fortemporary lodging.

Many firms offer financing to helpyou pay for the remodeling whileletting you take advantage of theefficiency and pricing of completingthe project at once.

Convenience

The decision often comes downto a matter of convenience. Allprofessionals strive to be neat, cleanand unobtrusive, but the presence ofpeople working in your home willaffect how you’re able to use yourrooms. Some remodels requiretemporary lodging.

Remodelers understand how aproject affects family life. It’simportant to have a conversationwith your contractors about howbest to minimize the impact andmaximize cleanliness. It’s ineveryone’s interest to make theremodeling process as smooth andpainless as possible.

✭ David Decker, president of AffordableKitchens and Bathrooms, is a member of theBuilders Association of Greater Indianapolis.If you have a remodeling question, email itto leigh.hedger@indystar.com, or mail it to:Ask a Remodeler, The Indianapolis Star,P.O. Box 145, Indianapolis, IN 46206-0145.