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I’m sure you have heard this from your friends that have remodeled their homes, “our remodeling project took twice as long and cost twice as much as the contractor told me it would”. There are several reasons this can happen, most of which can be avoided by getting a neutral, third party’s (ie. someone unrelated to the contractor or architect) help to get and keep your remodeling project on track. That third-party can access the existing conditions of your home, help you develop a plan for the project and develop a realistic budget and schedule, and then establish – and enforce – the budget and project timeline. I would recommend that you hire a renovation consultant (also known as a remodeling coach) to help you. For example, before you begin your project, these are just a few of the questions that arise: Where do I begin? What can be done in this space? Can I add a bathroom in “that” space? Do I hire a contractor or an architect first? How much is this going to cost? 
How long is it going to take? Can I live here while the work is being done? How can I get more of what I want with a small budget? Chances are you will get different answers to these questions from the architect, the designer, the plumber or the builder – if only because their interests are all subtly different to yours. The best way to get answers to these questions is to seek unbiased advice from a hire a remodeling coach, or renovation consultant, whose interests are more closely aligned with your own. A renovation consultant will help you determine a realistic budget for your project, prioritize your wants and needs based on that budget, and even help you decide if you should move rather than remodel. A service I call a feasibility study the renovation consultant and you will discuss:   What you want to accomplish with the remodel What is your intended budget 
The current condition of your home
Design ideas 
Realistic timeframes
What professionals need to be involved and when After the initial meeting you should have enough information to decide if you want to proceed and you will know the essentials elements of a remodeling plan.  A renovation consultant should be paid on an hourly basis or a fixed price, because if they are compensated on a percentage of the total project cost their interests are not aligned with...

Why Use a Renovation Consultant for Your Next Home Remodel   1. Why would someone remodeling a house hire a consultant first rather than an architect or contractor? Getting unbiased advise about the feasibility of your project and budget should be the first step. In my experience contractors and architects are reluctant to be the one to tell the client that their expectations about time and money are way off base. As a consultant it is my job to help the client understand and if needed, be the one to deliver the “unpleasant” facts. My clients pay me to give them an honest assessment. My main function at this point is to make sure their expectations are in line with the amount of money they want to spend.  I also help clients decide what professionals are needed for the project and help assemble the right team.  How does a homeowner choose the right professionals or even know what professionals to hire? A good consultant is a bit like a matchmaker and knows the right professionals for the client and the particular job. 2. How does a consultancy work? What is the process? While the process varies depending on your particular needs, a renovation consultant will typically put together an action-plan that includes a budget for the project and a prioritized list of needs and wishes, while helping the client understand what to expect before, during, and after, the home renovation. The consultant may or may not also become part of the renovation team, with the role of ensuring that communication, quality, and scheduling are maintained. By acting as an agent for the client, the consultant will be their eyes and ears on site, allowing the client to continue to live their regular life. While all renovations are different here is the usual process I follow: Assess existing conditions Develop project scope Complete a Move vs. Remodel analysis to help you determine if you should move or do a home renovation Develop a realistic budget Assist in choosing design professionals Material selection and specification Produce the request for bid or proposal documents Review bids/proposals Recommend construction professionals Manage the remodeling contractor Monitoring quality control Managing the project schedule Management of weekly project meetings Monitoring payment schedule and payments Meditation disputes Management of punch list completion 3. How much does it cost to hire a remodeling consultant? Do you work by the hour? Or a flat fee? I believe the interests of the consultant and the client are best aligned by negotiating an hourly fee for service, rather than, say, a percentage of the project”s cost. (For one thing, that makes sure the consultant is not motivated to inflate that cost unnecessarily). For smaller jobs, such as a move or remodel evaluation, a pre-buying inspection, etc., charges typically range between $95 and $300/hour.  For longer engagements the hourly rate will be reduced. I use a retainer agreement based on an hourly rate with a built-in not-to-exceed cap. 4. What do you think is the biggest mistake homeowners make when remodeling their homes? Using the lowest price professionals they can find, to grind out what appears to be a bargain. In fact, the market is pretty effective when it comes to labor for home remodeling professionals, and like it or not, the difference in price is usually reflected in a difference in craftsmanship and service. What’s more, a building professional’s “likability” and ability to listen and respond to the client’s needs is really just as important as their estimate.  Homeowners should try to work with contractors that provide transparent pricing, and will talk openly about their profit margin and the costs of the project.  In a relationship that is going to need to last for many months, trust and and honesty is vital.   When you begin thinking about remodeling your home, try to get an expert, but unbiased opinion about your plans. Talk to a Remodeling Consultant or a Realtor, for example, who knows the market in the area where you live. ask them about the return on your invest you can expect ask them to provide you with a move or remodel analysis ask them for recommendations to home remodeling professionals. As well as hiring a remodeling contractor, I also  believe it imperative to have design advice as well. Nothing helps a project run more smoothly, and ensure that the end product meets your requirements and expectations, than a complete set of plans and...

When we arrived at this home we were surprised to find that the kitchen had been demolition 20 years before!  An example of an owner being overwhelmed when faced with the reality of renovation.  Because they had waited so long to renovate they pull out all the stops and decided to take care of the two bathrooms and laundry room at the same time we were doing the kitchen.  You’ll notice from the video that the client opted for all the options when it came to the kitchen. Victorian Kitchen Complete Remodel ▶ JavaScript required to play this...

The renovation of this architecturally significant home in Palm Springs was a fun project.  The house was a victim of several bad remodels.  In the 70’s the atrium and courtyard (an integral part of the original design) was covered with an aluminum screened porch and the atrium completely enclosed to become a den.  In the 80’s someone thought it was a good idea to cover the original terrazzo floors with stick-on vinyl tile with a simulated wood parquet pattern.  In the 90’s the house was given a pastel pallet with mauve and light blue.  At some point, decade undetermined, the walls were coated with a rough stucco finish to simulate a rustic Spanish style home, complete with murals of cactus! Our mission was to strip it back to it’s original glory. Joshua Tree Place ▶ JavaScript required to play this...

The goals of the interior remodel were to create an open kitchen and to right-size the bathrooms. The home has a sweeping southwest view that was previously only visible from the living room. The owners were very conscientious about using green and/or sustainable products for their remodel and chose bamboo for the cabinetry, quartz composite countertops, energy efficient appliances, lowE2 windows, and low VOC finishes for their interiors. Remodel of a Mid-Century in Noe Valley ▶ JavaScript required to play this...