Planning 101 for Renovation Success

Planning 101 For a Your First Gut-Renovation Project

You know that moment when you walk in a house and you can see the potential immediately? Mentally, walls have come down, flooring is replaced and you have oh-so-simply moved the kitchen four feet to the right.

As my sweet mom said, "That's a whole new kitchen then, right?" Yes, my mom succinctly puts into words that nothing is simple about moving parts of a house around, so there can be no shortage of planning. But planning takes time. And if you are like me patience can be a tough opponent since I can see the ultimate vision now! Sigh. 

I think it was the Carly Waters episode on A Well Designed Business that gave me a deep sense of relief for the first time since buying the home and undertaking this project. She said after a bunch of handyman "bandaids" for her first project that her future projects always had oversight & planning from the beginning.

A thoughtful & thorough architect proved be the most critical piece of the renovation puzzle. Greg Schouten was a perfect fit for this project, he made certain my vision was, first and foremost, code compliant but also confirming the home will not only work for my future guests but also for my budget.  

For example:

Me: I want the wall converted into floor to ceiling windows in order to see the mountain range.

Greg: If you'll allow a few inches of drywall at the top you will be able to save money with the type of header you'll need.  

Ok, let's make budget savvy design decisions ahead of time then!

Patting myself on the back quickly concludes as Greg sends me a list of questions as I board a flight. Question 5 of 13 had me a bit concerned, once again doubt creeps in my mind.  Am I biting off far more than my renovating chops can handle?

Question 5: “Style for new back patio? Flat roof with parapet? Or Flat roof exposed and drain over edge with metal fascia? If parapet what exterior wall material: wood siding, board and batten, stucco?
Fiber/cement board in lieu of wood siding?”

Ummm, what in the world is a parapet? Anyone in construction will probably just pity my ignorance. Considering I have lived under a roof all my life the word 'parapet' still made me want to slam my head against the airplane tray table and just give up. Yep, the definitions, images & diagrams are literally just a few google taps away but not having a design degree or background in constructing homes I was at a loss.

Ok, deep breath and feverish google searches ensue. Pictures of parapets are not so easy to find however. When it is finally revealed, I don't even want a parapet! Thank God! 

I suppose the real lesson of renovation & planning is one of patience. Patience with the process. Patience with myself (and others) during this process. Planning may be the death of impatience but it seems likely the birth of wisdom. 

Be well & plan for success, Design Friends.

EPILOGE: 

Since this project has long since concluded from when I wrote this original post I learned that I actually wanted a completely detached steel post patio cover that stood at 11”. That was 3’ above the roof line on the North side. This created a sort of optical illusion that made the interior ceilings seem taller since there was a soaring ceiling in the outdoor space. Because the roof of the house sloped down to 8’ an attached patio cover would have obstructed the mountain views whereas the detached patio cover felt airy and elegant in its construction and execution.