Remodels - The new Construction Model

Remodels are a pain in the ass.  They have so many variables that are unknown and have to be dealt with after-the-fact; when the ripping and tearing has already begun.  I get it.  The last thing a homeowner wants to hear is, "oh, and while examining your leaky roof issue, we also discovered black mold...  That will be an extra $$$ added on to your already growing list of by-the-way's that we found after construction began 3 months ago..."  FRICK!  But I believe it's worse for the designer and contractor.  They are the ones that actually have to DEAL with the issues and make them right.

And that my friends is why contractors LOVE a ground-up build.  The issues, though they still exist, have to do with things that are NEW and controllable.  Not pre-existing mistakes that are obviously bone-head moves made by the previous builder who cut corners to make his own life easier or to save money.  I mean come on, Mike Holmes from 'Holmes on Homes' and 'Holmes Inspection' makes a damn fine living pointing out how incompetent and lame the previous contractor was!  If I was a non-designer and knew nothing about construction, I would probably think that all contractors were a group of bull-shit talking, total dumb-ass idiots too!

Whether we like it or not, the reality for builders and designers today is, the remodel is the new construction model...  It's most likely the bulk of our business right now.  At least that is the reality for us.  No one seems to be building ground-up homes in this economy and those who are, aren't hiring us.  Why?  I don't know... but such is life for young, professionals in a shitty economy trying to compete with either guys that drastically cut their prices just to keep their employees working, or the big boys who have been around the longest and therefore are just better known.  I feel like though "this ain't our first rodeo" and we've been around the block more than a few times over, somehow we still look too young to "really" be legit.   ???

But all bitching aside, we have had the pleasure to work on a few lovely remodels that have turned out great.  Despite the problems, we are thankful to the gracious clients and happy to still be in business!

So the first project below was no different in terms of difficult remodels, but it was a testament to how a solid and respectable working relationship between designer and contractor is vital to the quality of work delivered in the end.  I participated on this one from the construction side with the husband.  The designer, R.S. from Ras-a, Inc. did a phenomenal job of keeping the look clean, simple and classy.  In the end, good design (and good construction) always prevails.  Thank you Ras-a, Inc. for another fabulous partnership project!  We love working with you!  (Photos Credits: Roel Kuiper 2011)

Before

After

Before

After

Details

The next project was a design-build collaboration with mod and always hip, Culver City architects Modative.  This loft space remodel features bold wall partitions that double as storage, a charming butter yellow nursery for a new family addition and thoughtful details that create a luxe living space such as sultry gray walls and an interior peek-a-boo window. (Photo Credits: Krystal Navar 2011)