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 Building a new home or engaging in an extensive remodeling project can be a
major undertaking that will involve a great deal of time and commitment.
Therefore, it is in your best interest to attach yourself to a builder with whom
you feel comfortable for the long haul, someone with whom you can openly
communicate and who respects your vision. Unexpected delays and unforeseen fees
are not uncommon, but engaging in clear discussions regarding the completion
process and outlining anticipated costs will help eliminate confusion and
misunderstandings down the road. It’s crucial that you’re able to trust your
builder. How is that accomplished?
Begin by getting at least three
different estimates from different builders to compare the prices you’re quoted.
Be wary of any price too far out-of-line, or significantly lower/higher than the
others. Take a look at the estimates; they should specify the total price, cover
method of payment, and outline the duration of the job and the types of
materials to be used.
Once you have an estimate you like, do a little
background check on your builder. Make sure they have a permanent business
address and a full set of references. Call the Hilton Head Home Builders
Association (681-9240) to see if they’re a member. Check on any pending civil
suits against the builder with the Beaufort county clerk (525-7300). Make sure
they’re licensed at http://lookup.llronline.com and ask if they provide
liability insurance and workers compensation coverage. Without it, you might be
liable for any injuries that occur on your property.
Best-Laid
Plans
For most remodeling and some building projects, you may not require the
services of an architect. For major building projects, renovations or additions,
however, they are essential.
The architect serves as a liaison between
your vision and what’s going to be possible, given the structure of your
existing home, size of the lot, etc. Besides crafting a design that will be both
functional and pleasing to the eye, an architect needs to understand the
properties of building materials, supervise the work and negotiate with
contractors.
Because building costs can be enormous, taking your time in
choosing the correct architect and thoroughly discussing your plan during the
design phase will save you money in the long run.
There are many ways to
ensure that you’re choosing a quality architect. For example, you can obtain
recommendations from other professionals you know. Builders, interior designers
and even real estate agents should be able to make suggestions. You can also
contact the South Carolina chapter of the American Institute of Architects at
their Web site, http://www.aiasc.org for a recommendation on a local
architect.
Above all else, you’ll want to make sure your architect is
licensed by the state. You can access a database of licensed architects at the
state’s Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation Web site:
http://lookup.llronline.com. Just select ‘architects’ from the drop-down
menu.
Designed to Please
 Just as an architect can help you establish
the look and feel of the home’s structure, an interior designer is crucial to
helping you complete your vision for your home.
Using their design and
style expertise, not to mention established ties with area experts, an interior
designer is able to create a style for your home with more definition and flair
than you might envision. They typically possess a strong understanding of
effective color/material combinations, using space efficiently, and more.
Through expert advice and innovative ideas, a good interior designer takes your
vision, polishes it up and makes it a reality.
Interior designers
establish relationships with area upholsterers, wallpaper contractors, painters
and even cabinet and tile experts to deliver a product above and beyond what
you’d be able to find yourself in retail.
The professional association to
which most interior designers belong is the American Society of Interior
Designers (ASID). The organization’s Web site, www.asid.org, offers a full
referral service. It gives you a list of qualified local designers based on the
type of project, the look you’re going for and how much you’d like to
spend.
Floor It
From glass to leather, stainless steel to recovered
pine, today’s flooring options are endless and may seem mind-boggling. However,
a good flooring expert can help you choose the ideal flooring for your home by
considering factors such as traffic flow (e.g. multi-children family versus
single-person household), lifestyle, style of home, color preference and cost.
Flooring installers are not licensed, and thus you must rely on their experience
and references. For new construction, ask to see samples of previous work. For
remodels or additions, inviting a flooring expert on a walk-through of your home
and picking his/her brain regarding the different styles of flooring you might
need might be helpful. Flooring contractors do need to have liability insurance,
however, so be sure to ask about that.
Curb Appeal
The look and “curb
appeal” of your new dream home is greatly impacted by its surroundings. When
you’ve invested a great deal in your home’s structure, it only makes sense to
consider its setting, which will either enhance or detract from its beauty.
Professional landscaping can make the difference between having an average
residence or one that is superior.
There are several factors that
necessitate the use of a professional landscaper. You might be able to plant a
garden or lay down sod, true, but you most likely can’t create a design that
incorporates wind break, color, drainage issues, privacy, shade and a thousand
other considerations a landscaper addresses.
Choosing a landscaper is
much like choosing a builder. Check for references, proper licensing and
insurance. South Carolina is one of the few states to require a license for
landscape architects. You can check on a landscape architect’s license at the
Department of Natural Resources Web site at www.dnr.state.sc.us. Simply click on
“divisions” then scroll down to “Land, Water and Conservation Division,” and
Landscape Architects Registration will be right below it.
Above all else,
though, you’ll want to see samples of previous work. Things to look for as you
view samples include creative use of existing land features, differing layouts,
and the use of various styles of plants. Repetition of styles and a single type
of flower may reflect a limited repertoire.
Getting Wired
More than
ever, today’s homes have become a reflection of the high-tech world in which we
live. No longer limited to standard television and stereo, consumers can create
cinema-quality atmospheres right at home, or completely automate their homes so
that lighting and other features can be controlled via computers. Audio/video
experts, who live in a world of parabolic sound zones, high-fidelity audio,
sight lines and resolution, or high-end theatre systems, can help you create an
atmosphere which best reflects your interests and budget.
While many
consumers may be able to put up a plasma TV and run some speakers up the wall, a
true audio/video expert takes the entire room into consideration when designing
a home theater. The room’s acoustics, ambient light, usage and available space
are some of the elements an expert would consider.
Things to look for an
in A/V expert include knowledgability of current technology, willingness to work
with your builder to create a perfect media room or home automation, and the
ability to stay within the confines of your desires for a media room (you might
want a simple stereo setup, while they might want to rattle the pavement with a
deep-bass 5.1 stereo surround experience).
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