Congratulations! You just signed the contract for the remodeling project you have been planning and dreaming about for years. You climbed the emotional-mountain and now have high expectations for your home's transformation. But have you set the table to ensure a successful experience and end result? A wise friend once told me that when a contract is signed, you are emotionally at the peak and there are only two possible directions you can go; maintain where you are or go down hill. Think of it, no backhoes, sledge hammers or dust has flown to date, the plans and contract are nice and clean and life is the same as it was when you woke up in the morning. That will soon change.

Most people go through a significant remodeling project once or twice in a lifetime. It is a new experience with little perspective or understanding to draw from. You could go through your project and receive the best possible experience and not even know it or be subjected to a daily battle with "the contractor" for months.

Doing your homework and proper planning before the contract is signed along with ongoing communication during the project is the best way to avoid conflict during a remodel.The following are critical steps to follow to avoid problems. Many of these tips are basic "blocking and tackling," but if followed, will virtually guarantee a great experience and result.

Tip #1: Hire the Right Designer & Builder

If you hire the wrong company, you will have conflict. Hiring on a hope that the work will be done to your liking is probably just that, a hope. Do your homework, talk to friends, associates and neighbors to learn about their experiences with specific companies. Depending upon the type of project you are looking for, there may be a select group of companies that can perform the work to your desired level. Communicate a clear set of objectives with needs and wants. Have candid honest conversations about budget and create a team approach with the company you choose. An attitude of "us versus them" will inevitably create conflict. Avoid this by setting up lines of communication that are reciprocal and productive.

Tip #2: Plans, Specifications, and Contract

You have hired the right company and the plans look great, the pricing is agreed upon, and the vision is understood. So what else do you need to get started? Details. Complete plans and specifications, with a contract that outlines the terms of the agreement, and the means by which to resolve disputes if they occur. Complete plans and specifications describe what you are buying. The more complete they are the less likely you will have a dispute during the construction process. Make sure you understand what you are buying and in some cases what you are not buying. If the plans and specifications are complete and you have hired the right company, you should have a great experience.

Tip #3: Material Selections

Typically the plans define the sizes, shapes, and configurations of the work to be done, but not the specific materials to be used. In the desire to complete the project as soon as possible homeowners often want to start the work with incomplete plans and without material selections.Take the time to think through and select the appropriate materials for your home (i.e. plumbing fixtures, stone, tile, lighting, appliances, etc.). This will definitely be time well spent. If items need to be selected during the construction process there may be a monetary adjustment to the project and potentially a domino effect that could change the scope of work and the budget. Work with qualified creative design professionals prior to the start of the work and make as many of the material selections as possible. It will pay off in the end.

Tip #4: Unforeseen Conditions

Understand that some issues can arise during your project that no one expected. Walls that look perfectly fine could be rotted under the surface, a squirrel may be using a part of your home as their own or your foundation may not exist like it is supposed to be. If you are prepared for the potential for surprises, it is easier to deal with them in a business like manner should they occur. The following three areas are the typical unforeseen variables that can alter the project scope of work.

• Poor soil conditions and/or foundation system.
• Unforeseen conditions such as rotted walls, hidden pipes, substandard existing structure, etc.
• Code updates to the existing structure or mechanical systems that are required to be brought up to code by building officials.

Discuss with the contractor how these issues will be handled and priced up front so that both of you agree before problems arise.

Tip #5: Pre-Construction Walkthrough

You have hired the right company, the plans and specifications are complete, you understand how to handle unforeseen conditions, and you have signed the contract which clearly outlines the terms of the project and the work is about to begin. What was conceived on paper will now become reality. But because in some cases the people who designed and sold the project are not the same as those who will manage and build it on site, so it is important to have a preconstruction walkthrough will all involved parties. A meeting with the person in charge of executing the construction work, the salesperson and the designer is critical to ensure you're all on the same page. If the start is shaky, the likelihood of problems down the road increases. Take the time to talk and walk through the project as a group and you will reap the benefits.

Tip #6: Weekly Meetings

Once the work is underway make sure that ongoing communication occurs at your home where the work is being done. Weekly meetings with the key people performing the work will virtually eliminate conflict during the project. If "where we have come from" and "where we are going" is discussed on an ongoing basis, virtually nothing can get out of hand in a weeks time. At key times the design or sales people should be involved in these meetings as well. Weekly meetings create the forum to discuss issues and concerns and help to keep the project on track.

Tip #7: Change Orders

If changes are necessary, make sure that a change order is written and signed by both you and the contractor. Problems can be avoided with properly executed change orders. Use your weekly meetings to discuss all changes to the project and keep the paperwork up to date. 

Tip #8: Project Close Out

As the project is coming to a close, communicate more frequently with the project manager and the other key individuals involved with the creation of your new home. If you have issues bring them up so that they can be handled immediately and your project can come to a close. Have a meeting with the key people at the end of your project to review the final invoice and review the operation of the new items installed in your home. Make sure that if any outstanding issues exist a method and deadline for resolving them is understood.

Tip #9: Follow Up

Set up a date approximately 12 months from the end of the project to have the builder come back and check the work for potential adjustments or corrections as necessary. A good company will want to do this to make sure everything is being operated properly and there are no issues that have developed since completion.

If you follow the steps outlined here you will have a great experience. Hiring the right company for you, setting clear expectations, and regular scheduled ongoing communication is the key to a successful project for you. Your emotions will ebb and flow as the project progresses but I know that the excitement that existed when the contract was signed can be maintained throughout the project if you follow these guidelines.

Mark Peterson is the principal and chief designer at M|A|Peterson Designbuild in Edina. The company was recently named the 2002 "National Contractor of the Year" by the National Association of the Remodeling Industry.

By Mark Peterson