The adage, “You get what you pay for,” is never truer than in the home remodeling industry. Nobody likes to experience buyer’s remorse during or after a home renovation project, but everyone wants the best deal for the greatest value.

Cheapest is not always better, however, especially when it comes to making long-lasting home improvements like renovating an outdated kitchen, turning a basement into a man cave or adding a new bathroom.

Hiring a quality contractor from the start means you’ll only need to remodel once, and not two or three times to fix the costly mistakes made by a sloppy contractor who cuts corners to give you that “great deal.” Here’s a few tips on why hiring a quality contractor matters when remodeling:

Remodeling without Disappointment or Disruption

For many people, making a drastic change and remodeling our homes is a decision we mull over for several months, and sometimes years. We worry we’ll be disappointed with the outcome or it will cause too much disruption in our already-busy lives.

By working with a highly qualified and knowledgeable contractor like Central Construction Group owner Brian Oltmanns, you’ll know exactly what can and cannot be done from a structural sense and you’ll see the project spring to life with professional 3D designs created by CCG’s in-house designer. Once design plans and material selections are finalized, the project manager works to keep disruptions in your home to a minimum.

Labor Shortage May Delay Remodeling

With home prices on the rise, new construction harder to find and more opportunities to age in place, many homeowners are deciding to stay put and remodel their current homes. The Home Improvement Research Institute expects the steady increase in remodeling activity to continue through 2021.

As more homeowners decide to remodel, the remodeling and construction industry continues to struggle with an ongoing labor shortage of qualified workers. A reputable contractor with experience manages his time well, knows who he needs to hire to get the job done and works diligently to meet established deadlines.

Trust Your Biggest Investment to the Pros

If your home remodeling job requires the services of a specialty tradesman, an experienced general contractor knows which subcontractors do the best work at the best price. A GC also knows where to find the right materials for a good price and will be willing to discuss cost-saving measures without sacrificing quality.

A reputable GC who’s completed many home remodeling and construction projects carries the proper liability insurance, holds up-to-date certifications and follows local licensing laws to do the work. Check the contractor’s reviews and ask to speak to former clients.

Protect your biggest investment by hiring a true professional for your next home remodeling project. You won’t be disappointed.

The post Remodeling in 2019? Why Hiring a Quality Contractor Matters appeared first on Central Construction Group, Inc. .

You’ve been mulling over home remodeling design ideas for several months now, reconfiguring the space (and your budget) this way or that. Maybe you’ve found inspiration at a local home show, viewed photos on social media, or asked friends and families for recommendations.

Now, it’s time to get down to the nuts and bolts of beginning your home remodel. How do you start? Who do you hire? How can you make all of those cool ideas work on a limited budget and within a reasonable timeframe?

Before you get overwhelmed by all of the decisions that need to be made during a home remodel, consider hiring a general contractor with an in-house designer to walk you through the process. At Central Construction Group (CCG), all home remodeling clients receive professional design guidance at no extra charge as part of our general contracting services.

Here are 3 ways hiring a contractor with an in-house designer can save you time and money on your next home remodeling project:

1. Finalize Floor Plans with In-House Designer

When a homeowner hires CCG, they immediately get two fresh perspectives on how their home remodeling dreams can be achieved. As an experienced general contractor, CCG owner Brian Oltmanns brings structural knowledge of what can or cannot be done, while CCG interior designer Stephanie Larmor knows all the latest trends and available materials.

“Having a contractor and designer come out for that initial meet-and-greet is good because we can really hone in on what the client needs and what we can do,” Larmor says.

Be prepared to answer a whole lot of questions from the CCG duo. They’ll want to know things like: What are your goals for the project? Are you remodeling to stay in the home or resell? Do you want to change the layout? How can you use the space more efficiently?

From there, CCG provides a ballpark estimate for the scope of the project and creates a few different floor plans with various design concepts for the client to review. For most homeowners, seeing their cool ideas in an actual floor plan helps them finalize the project and move forward, no longer wasting time on mulling over ideas.

For instance, a recent client wanted to transform an old sunroom into a bedroom for guests to stay and for future resale value, but she wasn’t sure whether to remove a wall and make it part of the living space and use it as an office or create a new bedroom with closet space and an updated bathroom. Seeing both options in a floor plan helped the client make a final decision to move an exterior wall for a bedroom addition.

“I think that saves a lot of time for a client, especially in the beginning phase when they don’t know which direction to go,” Larmor says.

2. Select Materials with In-House Designer

Larmor also saves clients time and money by knowing which materials will work best for their home remodeling project and allocated budget. She helps indecisive homeowners move beyond what too often becomes a perpetual planning phase.

A client may love the elegant and timeless look of Carrara Marble for their new bathroom, but they’re not willing to spend the higher cost for natural stone tile. Larmor can suggest various porcelain tile options that cost half as much and look just like natural stone marble. “I can show them some more budget-friendly alternatives,” Larmor says.

In addition to helping them select actual materials, Larmor takes a client’s finalized floor plan and creates 3D color renderings that can be edited in real time as decisions are made for tile size, cabinet style, paint color, etc.

“I had a client yesterday who had some drawings for a new tiled shower and I talked her out of doing this accent piece. She saw it in 3D and she didn’t like it, she thought it was too bulky,” Larmor says. “It’s one thing for me to say, ‘Don’t do that, I know what looks good.’ But for them to see it too, that’s really cool.”

3. Get a Smoother Process with In-House Designer

A general contractor works closely with his in-house designer to understand the specific needs, lifestyles, priorities and budgets for each home remodeling client. Establishing clear communication and creating detailed plans with the homeowner results in a smoother project that’s completed within budget, on time and with fewer change orders.

Following a specific schedule with weekly deadlines, interior designer Larmor can walk you through each step of the process by helping you choose cabinets, countertops, backsplash, flooring, appliances, paint colors, lighting, and more. “A lot of clients like that because they’re not worried about how all of this is going to come together,” she says. “I help them finalize what’s important.”

Ready to get started on your home remodel? Contact CCG today or email Larmor directly to set up a free consultation.

The post Hire Contractor with In-House Designer to Save Money, Time on Home Remodeling appeared first on Central Construction Group, Inc. .