BALANCING THE SCOPE/COST SCALES IN DESIGN
Robbins Construction uses the design-build model to guide homeowners through the remodeling process. Every home remodel must fit a specific set of needs and a specific budget. We want you to love the result and not panic when you look at the invoice! The design-build process makes it possible for you to balance those two factors from start to finish by balancing the scope/cost scales in design.
Let’s talk about how to balance costs and what to keep in mind!
In every remodel, the scope and cost are directly correlated. When the scope increases, the cost does with it. Makes sense! Working with a design-build firm like Robbins Construction gives you complete control over the scope and cost of your project. How? Your design and build team are all working together, for you, with complete transparency.
CAN I SEE A LINE-ITEM BREAKDOWN OF MY REMODEL BUDGET?
When a homeowner finds themself in the uncomfortable position of being over budget on their remodel designs, the natural response is to try and reduce the cost themself. For many, the easiest way to do this would at first seem to be a line-item breakdown of the budget to the smallest detail possible. Then they could go through and determine what they could cut.
Ultimately, this isn’t the best way to figure out how to reduce the costs of the remodel. Why? Let’s get into it.
CATEGORIES ARE CODEPENDENT
Category line-items depend on each other for proper installation. For example, let’s say you decide that your $4,000 workstation sink is too expensive.
You won’t save that entire $4,000 by simply removing it. Now you have to rearrange your cabinet design with a smaller cabinet, may have a revision of plumbing costs, and will have to revise countertops and possibly backsplash. Those secondary changes could save you the $4,000 line item, but they could also add costs that eat up the entire amount you thought you’d save. It’s all a big chain reaction!
CATEGORIES ARE NOT OPTIONAL
You might look at a category breakout for your remodel and decide you don’t want to pay $3,000 for demolition and protection work. Unfortunately, those aren’t optional. If you want a remodel, the remodeled space has to be demolished before it can be re-done, and it has to be done to job site preparation standards.
For instance, the drywall in your home has to be redone any time your build team opens a wall, be it for electrical, plumbing, or structural work. Repairing the drywall isn’t optional. A better way to save cost is to strategically consider how you can avoid demolishing some drywall to save in drywall repair costs.
BUDGET FROM BIG-PICTURE TO SMALL-DETAIL. NOT SMALL-DETAIL TO BIG-PICTURE.
You should think in the beginning of the remodel about the large features and scale of your project and then move to the detailed requests. If you can’t create a budget range that makes sense for you–don’t move into the detailed portion of the design process.
PRIORITIZE THE FEATURES IN YOUR PROJECT.
Spend time to clearly define why you are doing the project and what features and solutions are most important. Then identify what is a nice to have and a luxury item. Once you have it broken down into those groups you can isolate items that could be changed and your design or construction team will be able to assist you in finding ways to reduce the cost of your project.
WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DESIGN-BUILD PROCESS?
We hope you have a better understanding of how to stay in control of your remodel cost when working with a design-build firm! Are you ready to start designing your remodel, but don’t know how to get the ball rolling? Get connected with a member of our design team. We’ll schedule a free design consultation to talk with you about your project and how to manage its cost.
