How to Navigate Home Renovations

So you’re planning a renovation, how do you know where to start? With so many choices, this can be a confusing journey.

Did you know there are at least 3 different paths you can take to complete your renovation? And when all roads may lead to similar results, how do you know which to choose?

While there is no right or wrong answer, it’s important to select the path that makes the most sense for you and your family’s needs.

Here we break down the pros and cons of the 3 main remodeling methods and how they can benefit you.

Construction Method One: Owner Build

Owner Build might be for you if:

You’re a decisive person with lots of extra time. You enjoy a good challenge, you want to do a portion of the work yourself or you already have materials or connections in the industry.

Definition of Owner Build: 

A homeowner intending to remodel takes on the responsibilities of a general contractor on their own project. This includes contracting out or performing the following tasks on their own; design of the space, hiring and coordinating specialty trades such as HVAC, plumbing, tilework, carpentry, material take offs, pulling permits, scheduling inspections, purchasing of materials, rental of heavy machinery, waste cleanup/ haul-away and many other details that are part of a construction project.

Pros of Owner Build:

• You have control over the schedule and everything else.

• You may save on overall project costs.

• You will learn new skills.

• The satisfaction of building something with your hands.

• You’ll get bragging rights if everything turns out great.

cons of Owner Build

• Your project may not be completed in a timely fashion or may end up rushed or worse, unfinished.

•  If your project doesn’t pass inspection, you are financially responsible for any potentially costly repairs.

• The possibility of installation failure or missed details leaves a lot of unknowns, potentially costing more in the long run.

• It requires a large investment of your time and energy to coordinate and plan all details.

Construction Method Two: Design-Bid-Build

Design-Bid-Build might be for you if:

You already have your project planned or a good portion of it. This can be a great choice if you already have a designer that you love working with, or already have a reliable general contractor in mind.

Definition of Design-Bid-Build:

It is your responsibility to hire an architect and designer to draw up the plans for the changes you intend to make to your home. You would then take those plans and bid them out to general contractors whose job would be to complete the work and or subcontract the resources needed. In some cases the designer stays until the end of the project, in other cases the designer would pass off the drawings and leave it up to you and the contractor to complete the work.

Pros of Design-Bid-Build

• You can bid your project out and drive costs down with competition.

• Your time investment is much smaller than the “Owner Build” method.

• The contractor will have a project manager to help with communication.

• One-on-one time with a designer will result in some amazing ideas you never thought possible for your home.

Cons of Design-Bid-Build

• When you have 3 people communicating project details, there are often miscommunications resulting in a finished product that may not be exactly what you imagined.

• Creating designs before bidding to a contractor may force you to change project details later resulting in wasted time and $$. These changes may be related to budgeting, zoning laws, or material availability.

• Going with the lowest bid will likely not result in quality work.

• The contractor you hire may sub out most of the trades resulting in strangers in your home and irregular work hours. This could slow down the project immensely.

• If your designer doesn’t babysit the contractor, you are left to your own devices if something isn’t available or does not go as planned.

Construction Method Three: Design Build With Odell Construction

Design Build might be for you if:

You desire a stress-free experience with minimal time investment. You’re looking for creative solutions to pain points, someone to create blueprints and handle the construction and project management.

Definition of Design Build:

Design and construction services sit under one umbrella. Your designer and general contractor are part of the same team with project recommendations tailored to fit your needs. Direct communication between the project manager and designer results in a smooth and efficient process, keeping your project running smoothly and on budget.

Pros of Design Build:

• When your designer and contractor are on the same team, your investment intentions are considered when creating the design.

• Your time investment is minimal, so the hard work is up to your designer and construction team.

• You won’t have to coordinate schedules or trades. With Odell Construction, the project schedule is handled in-house so you will know who will be coming in and out and when.

• With a single point of contact, you can communicate your needs down the pipeline without having to repeat yourself or get lost in translation.

• Odell Construction will listen to your needs and help you create a design that will solve unique problems and improve your life.

• Your design team will curate color combos and materials to match your tastes making the decision process easier and more efficient.

Cons of Design Build:

• Additional services and convenience come with added investment.

• A certain level of trust is required, so be careful to choose a design-build contractor you get along with and who has values that align with yours.

• Because of the special care taken in individualized planning and preparation, the overall process can take longer than other methods.

• You may be limited to material selections and vendors specified by your contractor.

So where do you go from here?

Now that you have the three main methods to choose from, find the one that suits you and your family’s needs the best. Then go out and research professionals to help you get the job done.

Is Design Build the Method for You?

Odell Construction is located in Westlake, Ohio. Let’s get the process started!

Not quite ready for a consultation? You can learn more about the home renovation process here.