Navigating Uncharted Waters
Renovations can be a lot of fun! Much of that depends on the mindset of the client. As architects, part of the role is to set realistic expectations by educating the client on the process.
My background in renovations has given me plenty of experience, but none more valuable than actually living through the process myself, beginning with demolition.
Demolition is dramatic. Opening the walls is one of my favorite stages of a project. You get to uncover past alterations and see how framing and walls were assembled at different times in the past. In my house, we uncovered an internal electrical meter, doorways that had been relocated, and some incredibly dense 4x6 framing lumber from the 1930s. We discovered that the house had a dual-layer wall system.
As part of the shift away from the plaster and lathe walls of the previous century, builders used an early type of gypsum board known as plasterboard. This served as an underlayment for a thin layer of plaster. In the corners, metal mesh was used to hold the plaster in place. It can be a surprise to uncover. Other surprises often include plumbing lines discovered running where you want to open the walls, ductwork in unexpected places, and sometimes previously abandoned fireplaces or closets.
Other pitfalls include the unpredictable nature of the inspection process, often made worse by delays caused by subcontractors not showing up. Subcontractor reliability is a very real issue in construction, and it can cause a domino effect of delays. You can’t schedule an inspection until the work is completed. If the work fails inspection, the subcontractor has to return, fix the issue, and then request another inspection, which adds even more time.
Another potential setback occurs when a vendor experiences delays. In my case, flooring was held up at the Port of Savannah for weeks beyond the original installation date. This is especially frustrating because the shipping system doesn’t follow a clear timeline for processing cargo. The best strategy is to select materials early and hope the contractor orders them in time. Even then, there are no guarantees. I’ve had contractors attempt to place orders, only to find out the materials had been discontinued!
The key thing to remember is that a delay of a month or two during construction means very little over the lifetime of the project. The best way to avoid disappointment is not to plan your completion around hosting a holiday event or your niece’s wedding!
Best advice? Sit back and enjoy the ride.