Budgeting is one of the most important conversations you’ll have in the remodeling process, so it’s important to do things right. Arming yourself with knowledge and a trusted partner will create the foundation to a successful result.
“I’m still waiting for someone to give me a call and say it’s unlimited, so I can do whatever I want,” says Claudia Pop, a designer at Advance Design Studio, in Gilberts. “I think it’s very important to remodeling, and it’s why a good designer walks hand-in-hand with their client.”
What’s the bottom line? That’s one of the first questions on a person’s mind when they contact their local kitchen and bathroom designer. The answer is complicated. A client’s needs, wants and tastes are some of the biggest differences between an entry-level or high-end job.
Many industry professionals turn to Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value report for early estimates. That data reflects mid-range and upscale projects across the Chicago metro area. The report not only lists average costs on projects, but it also reflects the potential to recoup value when the house sells.
At Advance Design Studio, early conversations focus on a target budget. If everyone is in agreement here, then the conversation continues and the client begins selecting materials like cabinets, flooring, countertop and tile. Landing on that correct number might mean an alternate choice that’s closer to the client’s budget target.
Design-build remodelers like Advance Design Studio keep designers and contractors under one roof, which makes for a seamless process and a tighter control over costs, particularly in the design phase, when clients want to know how their choices affect the bottom line.
Good relations between the designer and the client make all the difference.
“The client is really trusting that company and designer a lot – with their financial investment and their homes,” says Pop. “People will be physically working in their home for several weeks, so we want to make sure they’re comfortable with us.” ❚
Advance Design Studio Ltd. is located at 30 Railroad St., Gilberts, (847) 836-2600.