Remodeling...the process
Remodeling projects seem to have some common high and low points for many owners. If you are a seasoned remodeling veteran, you may already know what to expect and may not need to read on. If you have not lived through a remodeling project before, you are probably approaching your project with some degree of both anxiety and excitement.
Below I have pointed out some of the high and low points that naturally occur in the course of most remodeling projects. This way you will have a realistic idea of what to expect.
First, every remodeling job creates some degree of disorder, dust, uncertainty, and inconvenience. People will be tearing apart your house and putting it back together again - many of these people you have never met. We understand that this can be an unsettling experience and, accordingly, we expect our crews and subcontractors to respect the fact that this is your home they are working in and not a vacant warehouse. We want to know immediately if you have any problems in this area so that we can take immediate steps to correct them.
REMODELING proceeds in stages.
One of the most difficult stages is working through the PLANNING AND PERMIT PROCESS. Turning your ideas into a reality, from a sketch into working construction drawings.
Once the construction drawings are complete, they will need to be assembled with a number of forms and documents as required by your local municipality. As full service contractors, Welbilt will take care of all this leg work. Just keep in mind the following quote. --“It is said that God created the earth in 7 days. Fortunately back then, applying for building permits was not required”- Most towns can take up to 20 working days to complete permit approval!
Another difficult early stage is the DEMOLITION PHASE. The insides of your house will be exposed. Electrical, heating, or plumbing services may be intermittently interrupted. Dust, dirt, debris piles, and dumpsters will be visible in and around the work area. All of this can be rather stressful, however, don't worry - the demolition phase goes quickly, and will be cleaned up just as rapidly.
After the framing is complete the PLUMBING, ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL work gets under way. The project can appear to slow down because the progress is not as dramatic and visible as in the framing phase. However, a lot of detail work is done at this time. For instance, there are many required inspections by town officials. It's critical that the work is thoroughly completed at this point prior to insulating and closing the walls with drywall.
Next comes the DRYWALL stage which most people are excited about. When the walls are covered with drywall, suddenly the rooms take on their true proportions and people start to imagine what it will be like to move back in.
Unfortunately, the final phase of all the work, after the drywall, can seem to take a long time. The finish work - grading and exterior concrete flat work; interior and exterior painting; installation of all interior doors and finish woodwork; installation of cabinets, tile, and floor coverings; installation of finish plumbing and electrical fixtures; installation of shelving, closet poles, mirrors, glass shower doors, hardware, appliances, etc. -- requires a fair amount of time and the efforts of many different subcontractors.
Nevertheless, thanks to a well-planned and coordinated scheduling effort during this phase, the day arrives when your project is completed. Finally, your house is once again your private residence, free of the constant construction activity that has transformed your ideas and plans into the new spaces that we hope you will enjoy.
Please let us know if you have any questions about this process or any suggestions about how we can minimize the disruption to your daily routine.
Jack Debrot
Welbilt Home Improvements Inc.
