Creating a well designed home: Our 4-Phase Whole Home Remodel
We all love the idea of a whole home remodel. But once you dive into the details, the process can start to feel a little daunting. From optimizing the layout to selecting all the fixtures and finishes, there are hundreds of decisions to make along the way.
A complete remodel is a massive undertaking with many moving parts. But the good news is that you don't have to tackle the project alone. Dacotah Studio, our Los Angeles design/build firm, has years of whole home remodel experience, and we're here to help guide you through the process. From creating a vision of your dream home to handling all the nitty-gritty details, we've got you covered.
Keep on reading to learn about the 4 phases of our remodel process!
Phase 1: Planning
Throughout the entire remodel, but especially in the planning phase, we take time to listen and learn about our client’s needs and wishes for their whole home remodel. This phase is all about ensuring we have a mutual understanding of the project at hand.
With our client’s goals in mind, we factor in outside considerations, like city codes and site requirements, helping us create a full picture of the project so we can establish a timeline and budget. Especially in Los Angeles’ hillside communities, construction projects require extensive land surveys and planning documentation, including soil reports and topography maps. At Dacotah Studio, we take care of it all!
In this early phase, our clients can expect to receive structural observations and as-built drawings, which reflect the current floor plan of their existing structure before any proposed changes are made. Depending on project complexity, Phase 1 typically takes anywhere from 30 to 90 days.
Schematic Design
Within Phase 1, we also develop a schematic design, detailing initial floor plans. Here, we define room sizes and create vignettes showing design variations. We also share a Materio budget tracker, guaranteeing our clients have full transparency into the build process.
Phase 2: Design Development
Phase 2 is when our plans start to take shape. This is our client’s first opportunity to see the designs we discussed in Phase 1 come to life, with rendering details, 3D models, floor plans, and elevations. These models give insight into how the home will feel and function, helping us perfect the layout and flow. In the Design Development phase, we plan the home’s structure, including the floors, windows, appliances, and other fixed elements. We also tackle all the hidden, mechanical systems within the walls and floors.
In addition to structural elements, we create comprehensive mood boards. These help guide our clients through material selection to achieve a design that fits their aesthetic and lifestyle. The goal of this 45-90-day phase is ultimately to reach a point where we’re ready to commit to a comprehensive design//build plan.
Phase 3: Construction Documentation
Here’s where we take all our designs and transform them into official construction documents. At this point, we hand our plans off to the city for approval so we can start building!
In this 45-60 day phase, we also create a design package, specifying material selections and instructions. We cover all the finishes and fixtures including millwork, paint, lighting, and materials. We meticulously detail the entire layout, showing precisely where all products will be placed. The more information we give here, the better, so that our client’s homes are constructed to their liking.
Phase 4: Bidding, and Valuing Engineering
In this final phase, we work with our clients to establish the best team for their build. With all construction details in place, contractors can now give the project a final price. We collect and organize bids from multiple contractors, helping our clients make a final decision. By the end of this phase, we will have selected a general contractor and received a permit to start the build.
We find that many projects get value-engineered at this point, to ensure the project remains in line with budget expectations. Through conversations with contractors and trade workers, we may choose to revise some design details to stay on track and on budget.
After bidding and valuation, we begin construction administration. Dacotah Studio works as a liaison between our client and contractor, overseeing the entire construction process to ensure proper execution of the original design intent. Throughout construction, we strategically time site visits at key junctures, like post-demo, framing, rough plumbing, electrical, drywall, tile, millwork, and for the completion punch list.
Of course, everyone wants to know how long their whole home remodel will take. We wish we had a magic wand to better predict this timeline, but we find that most projects take anywhere from 6-15 months. Of course, project speed is highly dependent on scale and complexity, so the more streamlined the plans, the faster the build!
As part of your whole home remodel, you may be interested in updating your furnishings, too. In addition to Dacotah Studio’s interior architecture services, we also offer interior design in the Los Angeles area. We research, curate, bid, and shop for non-fixed elements of the home, including art and accessories. Kindly note that this service requires a budget separate from construction.
There’s a lot to consider when remodeling a whole house. Make sure you have a knowledgeable team like Dactoah Studio to guide you through the process.