GOING UNDER THE KNIFE: Doing a Quick Facelift versus a Full Remodel

By Dave Clark

The age old question – what’s cheaper?  Smarter?  Better? Homeowners want to do a project right the first time, and either avenue can be costly and/or time consuming.  Obviously, a complete remodel or “full gut” is more costly, while a facelift will sometimes do the trick.  It really depends on what already exists or what there is to work with, and the goals and objectives of the project, and if these two can find common ground.

There are many things that come into play as to whether a complete remodel is warranted.  Two important considerations should be answered before you get started;  how long do you plan to stay in your current home, and, is return on investment important?  This can be a huge factor in the decision making process if you’re not planning to stay in the home much longer.  On the flip side, customers that have no plans to move can sometimes not care if they will see a return on investment, and just want to improve their home for their own happiness.  Regardless, ask the tough questions first, so you can plan accordingly.

Next, look at the specifics of the bathroom to be remodeled.  For example, what are the conditions of the walls?  Is the electrical up to code and/or strong enough?  Is the existing plumbing up to snuff?  What can be salvaged and simply upgraded, if anything?  How do the cabinets and countertops look?  Do we need new hardware?  How are the lighting, fixtures, and flooring?

In most instances, we discuss with our customers that a “refresh” can often lead to a complete makeover, as putting in new countertops can make the cabinets look outdated, and new cabinets make the fixtures look old, and new fixtures makes the flooring look antiquated… you get the idea – it’s the snow ball effect.  Bathrooms 10 - 12 years old can look “dated,” depending on the original selection and design of the cabinets, hardware, lighting, etc.  We don’t reface cabinet doors, as the insides of the cabinets are usually just as worn or outdated as the outside doors, fronts and sides, which is the reason you called us in the first place.

We also work with you on design selections to prevent decisions that you may regret.  For example, we take the time to look at the surrounding areas and neighborhoods.  You may be working with a smaller budget and may be interested in selling soon, but a fiberglass or acrylic insert is going to look out of place if you are in a neighborhood with large homes and quality existing bathrooms.  This decision could actually hurt your resale efforts.

These are just a few of the questions we ask before even getting started in the planning phase, as each customer’s design, wants, and needs can be very different than the next, even on similar projects.  In essence, what might work for one person, may not work for the next.

At Callen, we listen intently to your wants and needs, and consider and review all options based on design and budget.  We’ll give you an honest evaluation of your project to complete it as proposed, and within the specified timeframe.  In addition, we’ll point out things you may not have seen or have considered, to avoid unexpected costs or consequences down the road.