Kootenai Estates on Swan Lake in Big Fork, Monta

I’ve been in my home for a number of years, should I make some changes? Where do I begin? Should I renovate, or just redecorate? These are questions that I often hear from clients. Figuring out where to start and how much to do often depends on the value of your home.

If you plan to sell, consider your home’s value in its current “out-of- date state” versus. a fully renovated state. Keep in mind that simple redecorating – which does not include construction work – typically brings less appreciable value than a full-scale renovation project. Without question, most homes where there has not been any major work done for twenty years or more are bound to require some sort of renovation. And in nearly all cases, this will include both the kitchen and bathrooms – for the simple reason that interior standards and amenities in these rooms have changed dramatically over the past twenty plus years.

Therefore, first on your list when renovating your home: kitchen and bathrooms. Updating them may be as simple as refinishing or reworking the cabinets, installing new countertops, replacing the appliances, flooring and wall coverings. Or on the other hand, you may simply want to gut everything and start from scratch.

Another important way to update your house: smooth coat any textured ceilings or walls. Unattractive popcorn or ‘cottage cheese’ ceilings definitely date your home. Decorative and energy efficient lighting, window and door replacement, flooring, wall coverings, and built-ins for new entertainment systems are also standard ways to make your home up-to-date.

The above tasks often require the services of a general contractor. However, prior to taking your project to a GC, I would advise that you first consult an interior designer, who can help you develop conceptual design documents and drawings for the construction aspects of your project. Taking this extra step in the process will help ensure a more accurate cost estimate for the ‘nuts and bolts’ part of your project as well as help you determine necessary elements and hard costs that relate to the ultimate design of your interior.

Prior to lifting a hammer, each and every aspect of your project (no matter how large or small) should be carefully thought out and designed – in order to keep all of your options fluid, and ultimately allow you to control costs. Starting a remodel without having the conceptual design as well as the development portion of the project (the working drawings) in place can ultimately cost you a whole lot more money and time. Designing a project from A to Z prior to the start of construction, will not only expedite the project, but will also keep dollars in your pocketbook!

The  president of San Francisco-based Warren Sheets Design, Inc. (WSD), Warren Sheets is an artistic and visionary interior designer known for his hands-on approach and meticulous attention to detail. He has overseen WSD for nearly 30 years, accruing a diverse portfolio of high-end residential and commercial projects located across the country. To read more design articles from Warren, click here to visit his blog.

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