OAKLAND — If you’re planning a remodeling project, one of your first steps should be to meet with a contractor. However, in order to make the most of your initial meeting, it’s best to be prepared by having an idea of what you’re looking for in your remodeled space. Here are a few tips for getting ready:
Browse design ideas. If you’re struggling to come up with design ideas for your remodeling project, go online. These days, homeowners have access to all kinds of home remodeling and design resources on the web. For example, <a href="https://www.houzz.com/">Houzz</a> is a fantastic resource that’s well-organized and easy to use.
Make a list. Write up a list of features you’d like to include in your remodeled space, organized by room. These features may include everything from cabinetry and countertops to finishes and appliances. Feel free to be as detailed as you want.
Draw a picture. Sketch out a floor plan and/or an illustration of what you’re envisioning for your remodeled space. Don’t worry—your drawing doesn’t have to be a work of art. Even a crude sketch can communicate a design idea better than a verbal explanation.
Price-shop products online. Browse prices for various appliances, fixtures and materials, and take notes on what you find. This preliminary research can be helpful for your contractor when it comes to putting an estimate together.

Getting Ready to Meet with a Remodeling Contractor

Discover essential tips and questions to prepare for your first meeting with a remodeling contractor, ensuring a successful home renovation experience.

Getting Ready to Meet with a Remodeling Contractor by Bill Hinkamp

By Bill Hinkamp of {BR} Rockridge Builders

Video: Preparing to Meet with a Building Contractor

when planning to meet with a building
contractor taking some preparatory steps
will help you to make the most of your
discussion today we're in Oakland with
diamond certified expert contributor
bilhin camp of Rock Ridge builders to
learn more the best way for customers to
prepare for a meeting with us is to be
as detailed as they possibly can be
making a drawing as scary as that maybe
even a crude drawing on an eight and a
half by eleven piece of paper showing
you know what you'd like to do how you
might want to expand your existing space
it doesn't include doors and windows
cabinetry combining two rooms into one
all those things are things that are
easy to communicate with the drawing and
in a lot more succinct than just you
know walking around and what we like to
call waving our arms so that plus a
detailed outline of all the things that
you'd like to include the starting with
the room name and the features you'd
like to include in that room if there's
more than one or if it's a whole wing of
the house you know what you'd like to
see in each particular room listed
cabinets finishes tile selections if you
already have seen them as well as as
pictures and photographs from things
that you've already seen and really
really like obviously every job is
different but starting with with that
people used to go through magazines and
and in clip pictures but now you can
access that information relatively
easily on the Internet houzz.com is a
fantastic resource really well organized
and I'd like to encourage people to you
know get as much of that
online shopping done you know beforehand
so that we can help them organize their
job in the best way possible and put
together a budget for them much much
more quickly
to learn more from local top-rated
companies visit our diamond certified
expert reports at experts diamond
certified org

Bill Hinkamp: Designing and Building a Career

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