About Us

▪ Kitchen & Bath Remodel Specialists▪ Established 1988

▪ Showroom in Downtown Kennewick

▪ Warren Smith, CMKBD, CAPS▪ Certified Master Kitchen & Bath

Designer

▪ Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist

Remodel Right

How to get great results using a step by step process

This presentation is available on our website

http://www.kitchen-restylers.com/presentations.html

Warren Smith,CMKBD,CAPS

Kitchen & Bath Remodeling

An organized process generates the best results

▪ Eliminates 90% of mistakes

▪ Reduces costs

▪ Speeds up project – reduces down time

▪ Generates vastly superior results

▪ Creates much higher satisfaction

▪ Preserves sanity

The Planning Process▪ Whether you do it yourself or get professional help, the

process is the same.

▪ What changes is who does what, how long it takes, and what it costs.

▪ How well it is planned, determines how smoothly, quickly, & cost-effectively the project goes.

▪ Hiring a professional skips the long learning curve.

▪ DIYers earn their savings with their time & labor.

The Planning Process

▪ Professional guidance from start to finish

▪ Design, selections, planning, & building are integrated

▪ "One Chef" optimal outcomes

▪ One committed organization to deal with

▪ Most time-efficient for the home owner

▪ Pre-vetted, specialized construction team

▪ Efficient & speedy work schedules

The Advantages of Design / Build contracting

What is a Design Retainer?▪ An upfront deposit made to the company to secure the designers

professional services.

▪ Kitchen retainers are $1500 to $3000 an are applied to the cost of

your project.

▪ The designer becomes your guide & advocate.

▪ If you decide not to proceed with the project, the retainer covers a

portion of our time, and you gain the benefit of the designs,

education, and get to keep all of the drawings, estimates,

specifications, etc.

Without a Retainer▪ No commitment required from you▪ Designer must limit time spent on your project.▪ Designer must design to sell a specific product to

get paid.▪ Designers are guarded about sharing drawings and

giving away their best ideas.▪ Designers may intentionally minimize the real costs

in order to sell their products.▪ Designers often do not deal with all aspects of a

project, making final numbers hard to pin down.

With a Retainer

▪ Represents a serious commitment by you.

▪ Allows the designer to devote serious time, energy, & creativity to your project.

▪ Designer does not have to design to sell a specific product.

▪ Allows for a open, candid atmosphere regarding the real costs of the project.

▪ Retainer is applied to the cost of the work.

12 Steps to Success1. Ideas, vision, scope, & budget.

2. Measure & photograph.

3. Design the physical layout.

4. Foundation-setting selections.

5. Build an accurate, detailed, cost estimate.

6. Make the vision-completing selections.

7. Detail and document the design.

8. Plan the construction process.

9. Review, engineer, & order.

10. Build the project

11. Inspect, test, clean, & punch list.

12. Orientation, activation, & documentation

The Tabbed Binder

Ideal for:

▪ Web research

▪ Managing photos

▪ Simplified document organization & control

▪ Collaboration

▪ Collecting Specs.

▪ Print when complete

An organized way to manage a complex project.

The Digital Binder The Physical Binder

Ideal for:

▪ Job site Use

▪ Digitally Challenged

▪ Collecting literature

▪ Fast access

▪ No WiFi required

The Tabbed Binder

Works on all devices

Cloud synchronization

Handles photos well

Text on photos

Collaboration

Web Clipping

An organized way to manage a complex project.

The Digital Binder

The Tabbed Binder

1. Meetings – Client Notes, meeting logs2. Site Data – Measurements and Photos3. Design – Design Drawings – Big Picture4. Estimates – Take-offs, estimates, & vendor quotes5. Selections – Items chosen, decisions made6. Contract Docs – Scoping document, final costs, & agreements7. Work Order – Scoping document with extra job site details & instructions for the team.

Process Management Tabs

The Tabbed Binder

8. Demo & framing – What tears out, what stays, what gets framed.

9. Exterior Windows & Doors – Spec. Sheets10. Appliances (Kitchens Only)

11. Plumbing – Product specifications, placement drawings

12. Electrical & HVAC – Lighting, exhaust fans, ducting, switches

13. Drywall, Paint, & Wallcoverings – Textures, paint colors & diagrams

14. Cabinets - Layout drawings, detail drawings

15. Countertops & Splash – Edge details, sink cut-outs, backsplash design

16. Flooring – Layout drawings

17. Interior Millwork – Molding diagrams, spec sheets, detail drawings

18. Wet Walls – Layout drawings (Baths Only)

19. Hardware & Glass – Hardware locations, spec sheets, enclosures, mirrors

Construction Process Tabs

Step 1 - Ideas

Step 1 - Vision

Idea Books

Save photos for

ideas and add

comments

Look for

commonality in

the photos you

save, your

vision is in

there!

Give collaborators

access to your

idea books

Step 1 - Scope & Budget

• What problems do we want to solve?

• What existing items do we want to keep?

• What new features do we want to add?

• What parts of the project do I want help with?

• What type of materials do I think I want?

• Will we be doing any of the labor ourselves?

• What level of quality do I want?

• What other areas do I want to include?

• Use a spreadsheet for the scoping document, it allows for easy editing and adding costs.

• Based on the above, what is the likely price range for the project?

▪ Make a realistic appraisal of the budget you are willing to commit to.

▪ Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value report.

▪ Talk to local kitchen & bath specialist or contractor.

▪ Agree on the scope & a realistic budget.

▪ The average kitchen or bath remodel client spends 20% over their original anticipated budget.

▪ Factor "scope creep" into the budget.

Step 1 - Scope & Budget

Remodeling Magazine 2017 "Cost vs Value" report

Costs averaged for the Pacific region are pretty

close to what we see here in the Tri-Cities.

Step 2 – Measure & Photograph

• Measure to the 1/8" accuracy

• Make a detailed floor plan drawing

• Document the plumbing & electrical locations

Measure

Step 2 – Measure & Photograph

• Make an elevation drawing to record heights

•Use a photo app like My Measures or Magic Measure

Measure

Step 2 – Measure & Photograph

Measuring Tools

Leica $81 to $159 on Amazon

Step 2 – Measure & Photograph

• Get shots for the "before" photo album

• Get documentary photos of each wall

• Get detail shots of everything - ceiling, floors, doors, trim, mirrors, lighting, etc.

• Use your flash

• Use a wide-angle lens

• Zoom in on the details

Photograph

▪ Designing your own▪ Some can, some can’t

▪ Home-owner tunnel vision

▪ Get independent, professional review

▪ Getting professional design help▪ Better designs

▪ Bigger tool box of ideas

▪ Pragmatic experience

▪ Unhindered by tunnel vision

Step 3 – Design the Physical Layout

▪ Drawn to ½" scale

• Major centers are all large elements

• Angles often help with placement in difficult spaces

• Play “What If” with different layouts

• Combine the best features into the final floor plan

Start with Concept Drawings

Step 3 – Design the Physical Layout

▪ Consider removing walls to open up the space

▪ Avoid restricting yourself to the existing layout

▪ Start with a blank slate and your wish list

▪ Avoid designing to restrain costs at this point

▪ Relocating major fixtures often yields the most

dramatic results

Start with Concept Drawings

Step 3 – Design the Physical Layout

Concept Drawing

Step 3 – Design the Physical Layout

Final Floor Plan

Step 3 – Design the Physical Layout

Finalize the Floor Plan

▪ Final floor plan is a merger of the best features from the concepts.

▪ Add dimensions & details

▪ Draw at ½” scale

Step 3 – Design the Physical Layout

Selections that have the biggest impact on both design and cost

Step 4 – Foundation-Setting Selections

• Bath Tub - $1,000 - $10,000

• Shower - $3,000 - $20,000

• Cabinets - $500 - $5,000

• Countertops - $500 - $5,000

• Flooring - $500 - $5,000

• Appliances - $3,000 - $20,000

• Cabinets - $5,000 - $25,000

• Countertops - $1,500 - $15,000

• Flooring - $1,500 - $10,000

Bathrooms Kitchens

Selections that have the biggest impact on both design and cost

Step 4 – Foundation-Setting Selections

• Layout changes and foundation-setting selections drive the overall cost of a

project.

• If significant cost reductions must be made, look at the foundation-setting

selections first and the layout changes second.

• Vision-completing selections have a much smaller impact on the costs.

• Layout changes that involve moving walls, doors, or windows, and / or

relocation of plumbing fixtures will have a significant impact the costs of a

project, but usually generate the most impactful improvements.

• Apply the "form follows function" rule, which weights pragmatism ahead

of style.

Step 5 – Build an accurate cost estimate.

• Edit the scoping spreadsheet to match the design & foundation-setting selections.

• Add in allowances for vision-completing selection items.

• Think through and list out the steps, task by task.

• Add in vendor contact information and cost estimates.

• Verify what is included in each vendor estimate.

• Assign tasks to yourself and include the material costs.

• When in doubt, round up, not down.

• If you do not like the final number, revisit the foundation-setting selections.

• Vision-completing selections are made after the estimate is completed and acceptable.

• Variables will now be in the range of hundreds, not thousands of dollars.

Scope Creep

• Project expansion beyond the original parameters

• Often makes good sense

• Should occur during planning phase

• Skews the budget

• Sometimes warrants financing

• Increases project satisfaction

• Allows for a “One & Done” project

Step 5 – Build an accurate cost estimate.

Don’t Be Afraid of Financing

• Project costs often exceed original expectations. This is not necessarily bad.

• Consider taking out a loan for the portion you don’t have the cash for:

• Get what you really want

• Finish the project all at once (it’s now or never)

• Often results in consolidation cost savings that more than cover the cost of the financing.

• The regret of not getting what you wanted lingers long after the money is forgotten.

Step 5 – Build an accurate cost estimate.

Allowances▪ Allows a contractor to give you a

price without knowing exactly what you want.

▪ Allows a contractor to tell you what you want to hear: low-ball estimates.

▪ Allows a contractor to add-in items he left out of the original quote.

▪ Allowances are usually vague.▪ Customer has no way of knowing

if allowance covers the products they actually want.

▪ Allowances almost always lead to change orders & extras.

Step 5 – Build an accurate cost estimate.

Step 6 – Vision-completing selections

• Sinks & Faucets

• Water Filters

• Instant Hot Water Dispenser

• Backsplashes

• Under-Cabinet lighting

• Paint Colors

• Cabinet Hardware

• Interior Cabinet Accessories

• Cabinet Furniture Elements

• Cabinet Upgrades

• Faucets

• Light fixtures

• Medicine cabinets

• Towel bars

• Material finishes

• Paint colors

• Cabinet hardware

• Faucet finishes

• Shower enclosures

• Mirrors

• Luxury options

Bathrooms Kitchens

Step 6 – Vision-completing selections

▪ Individually, vision-completing selections have a smaller impact on

the overall cost of a project.

▪ The impacts of vision-completing selections are usually measured

in hundreds of dollars, rather than thousands.

▪ Because there are a lot of vision-completing selections, together,

they do add up, and can have a significant impact on the cost of

the project.

▪ If significant cost reductions must be made, look foundation-

setting selections first and the layout changes second.

Step 6 – Vision-completing selections

• Make all of your product selections –right down to paint colors, cabinet pulls, and door stops.

• Get the specification sheet for each and every product.

• Populate theappropriatebinder sections.

Product Spec Sheet

Step 6 – Vision-completing selections

Required Elements

▪ Floor Plan Drawing – Scaled & Dimensioned

▪ Elevation Drawings – Scaled & Dimensioned

▪ Product Selections – Select Products - ALL

▪ Product Specifications – Get them all – Read them all - The devil is in the details

▪ Product Specific Drawings – Tile lay-outs

▪ Final Scoping Document – The Work Order

▪ Assemble everything in the binder

Step 7 – Detail & Document the Design

Step 7 - Detail and document the design

▪ Product Specifications get integrated into the final drawings

▪ ½” or larger scale

▪ As much detail as possible

Vanity Elevation Drawing

Elevation 1

Step 7 - Detail and document the design

Shower Elevation Drawing

▪ Plumbing

fixtures and

tile lay-out

details go on

the elevation

drawing

▪ Details

▪ Finish

Schedule

Step 7 - Detail and document the design

Step 8 – Plan The Construction Process

▪ What work will I perform myself?

▪ Will I be the general contractor or will I hire one?

▪ What work will I sub-contract?

▪ In what order should things happen?

▪ What are the costs?

▪ How long to get materials?

▪ How long will the work take?

▪ What are the unknowns?

▪ Create a tentative calendar.

▪ Who will be the General Contractor?

▪ Specialists will give you superior results!

▪ Ask lots of questions & check references first.

▪ Insist on fixed price contracts with specifications

▪ Everything should be in writing

▪ Do not accept more than a few allowances

▪ Build a schedule and set targets to shoot for

▪ No schedule = 50% longer project

▪ Lowest price is rarely the best value

Step 8 – Plan The Construction Process

▪ Different ways to get the work done:

▪ Do it yourself.

▪ Contract it yourself.

▪ Hire a general contractor, non-specialized.

▪ Hire a general contractor, specialized.

▪ Hire a kitchen & bath specialist / dealer who uses the design/build model.

▪ Hire an interior designer & contractor.

Step 8 – Plan The Construction Process

Step 9 – Review, Engineer, & Order

▪ Do not order anything until the design & planning process is COMPLETE!

▪ Do not order material until you know who will install that material!

▪ Do order materials from companies and people who know and understand them.

▪ Do order everything up front, yes everything!

▪ Do not start the project until everything is here or you know when it will be.

Order Materials

Step 10 – Build The Project

▪ Everything done in the correct order.

▪ Be specific & detailed with your requests to contractors.

▪ Never give-up on your schedule targets.

▪ Trust but verify – ask questions and speak-up if something doesn’t look right, don't wait.

▪ Get second opinions from professionals, not lay-persons, if necessary.

▪ If you’ve hired well, trust & cookies will get better results than suspicion & watchfulness.

Plan for the Installation▪ Use a key box for sub-contractor access.

▪ Designate a construction entrance.

▪ Designate a construction worker restroom.

▪ Designate a materials storage area.

▪ Seal off the construction zone.

▪ Ventilate the construction zone for dust control.

▪ Protect flooring materials, doors, trim, etc.

Step 10 – Build The Project

Step 10 – Build The Project

▪ Everything done in the correct order.

▪ Be specific & detailed with your requests to contractors.

▪ Never give-up on your schedule targets.

▪ Trust but verify – ask questions and speak-up if something doesn’t look right, don't wait.

▪ Get second opinions from professionals, not lay-persons, if necessary.

▪ If you’ve hired well, trust & cookies will get better results than suspicion & watchfulness.

▪ Doing it Yourself

▪ Most DIYer’s waste lots of time re-thinking, looking for tools, getting opinions, chasing materials, and getting ready to work.

▪ Always be thinking 5 steps ahead.

▪ Plan Everything – Yes Everything!

▪ Buy Everything – Stock pile it on-site if possible.

▪ Tool-up – buy, rent, borrow.

▪ Build-it! All of the above allows you to work efficiently, even with small amounts of time.

Step 10 – Build The Project

▪ Project Survival Tips

▪ Do not attempt to live in the construction zone.

▪ Make sure you have “construction-free” zones.

▪ Move more stuff than you think you need to.

▪ Put down more floor protection than you think you need to.

▪ Protect pathways to electrical panels, attic access, crawl space access, plumbing shut-off valves, etc.

▪ Do not under estimate dust migration potential.

Step 10 – Build The Project

Step 11 - Inspect, test, clean, & punch list.

▪ Clean the construction area – You can't see through dirt.

▪ Test fixtures and fittings for function, fit, and solid mounting.

▪ Make a detailed punch list – sit on the toilet, crawl on the floor, feel all of the surfaces, be picky, be specific.

▪ Have each tradesman correct his own punch list items – show no mercy – make them get it right.

▪ Collect and keep back-stock of leftover surface materials.

▪ Collect all of the product information, instructions, warranty cards, etc.

▪ Populate the binder with all of the product information.

▪ Retain the binder contents all together in a single file.

Step 12 – Orientation, Activation, & Documentation

▪ Collect all of the product information, instructions, warranty cards, etc.

▪ Collect copies of all receipts & agreements, as you go in the appropriate tabbed section

▪ Populate the binder with all of the product information.

▪ Activate warranties where it makes sense

▪ Retain the binder contents all together in a single file.

▪ Read the owner's manuals – All of them!

▪ Read manuals while learning the features

▪ Orient your family members

Conclusion

▪ Preparation, preparation, preparation!

▪ Good outcomes depend on good planning.

▪ Don’t rush through the planning stage. Better projects result from longer planning cycles.

▪ Choosing the right team to help you will makes things go much more smoothly.

▪ Document everything, as you go.

Remodel Right

How to get great results using a step by step process

This presentation is available on our website

http://www.kitchen-restylers.com/presentations.html

Warren Smith,CMKBD,CAPS

Kitchen & Bath Remodeling