Most Common Delays in Renovation Projects and How to Avoid Them

Renovation delays happen. Even when you’re working with a reputable and ethical contractor, construction delays can occur for reasons outside your builder and designer’s control. Knowing the common reasons for these remodeling delays can help you anticipate potential problems, and may even help you avoid preventable delays. Some construction delays can cost money, so it’s important to be aware of these potential problems before they become an issue.

Weather and Environment

Some construction activities are affected by weather while others are not. Rain and cold temperatures can delay some outdoor activities, such as painting and some roof work. Some times of year are more susceptible to weather delays than others.

Your contractor should communicate with you about the likelihood of a weather-related delay, and what they plan to do if a delay occurs. If it doesn’t come up, ask your contractor before the work begins.

DIY Errors

Sometimes homeowners perform their own remodels – and then make mistakes that later need to be corrected. You may have done this to your own home, or a previous homeowner may have done this before you. Either way, this kind of damage could require your contractor to make repairs before starting work of their own.  

Pre-Existing Conditions

Leaks, wood rot, mold, and even foundation problems can go undetected for years until your contractor starts demolition for a home improvement project. Often, there’s no way to know what kind of pre-existing conditions could be waiting to be discovered under the floor or in the walls of your home. If this kind of problem is discovered during your home improvement project, there may be costs associated with the repair, and renovation delays are likely.

Permit Delays

Permitting takes time, and when permitting offices are overwhelmed with permit requests, permitting delays can be longer than expected. Permitting delays can occur because of current events in your area. For example, if wildfires burned homes in your area over the summer, permitting offices may be flooded with permit requests to rebuild homes several months after the event. Your architectural designer may have a sense of the kind of delays you can expect from your permitting office, so ask about it when you’re planning your project.

Inexperienced Contractors

Inexperienced contractors are more likely to make mistakes, which can slow progress and drag out construction. Sometimes inexperienced contractors also use inefficient tools and processes to perform work. It’s tempting to hire an inexperienced contractor because they charge less than long-standing, successful contractors – but often, this saves little money.

COVID-Related Supply Chain Delays

COVID-19 has affected construction in some unexpected ways. Factory shutdowns have caused disruptions in the supply chain, which can cause delays in material supplies weeks or months after the fact. In addition, increased demand for some materials has put even more stress on the supply chain.

At this time, composite decking is available in limited colors and can take longer than normal to deliver. Garage doors of some types and models can take a long time to arrive after ordering. Other materials, like cabinets and tiles, could also be impacted. 

What You Can Do to Avoid Renovation Delays

Although some remodeling delays are inevitable, there may be some things you can do to keep your home improvement project moving along.

• Plan in advance to get material supply orders placed as quickly as possible.
• Leave money in your budget for unexpected costs from pre-existing conditions as they are discovered.
• Work with an experienced contractor and designer who knows how to work efficiently.

For more information about how you can avoid renovation delays in your home improvement, remodeling, home addition or ADU project, or to get started with your upcoming home renovation, contact Drafting Cafe. 

Everything You Need to Know About Choosing Kitchen Cabinets

The kitchen is a focal point in any home. Even when we gather in the living room, somehow everyone ends up in the kitchen. You want yours to be both functional and gorgeous. For that you need to consider what your kitchen cabinets will look like.

While colors and other finishes matter, the aesthetics of your kitchen cabinets can make a huge impact. Fortunately, you have more options than ever. Today’s kitchen cabinets are beautiful with decorative details and colors, functional with useful upgrades, and created with some of the best quality materials on the market.

Before you start choosing cabinets, it all starts with a plan. Ask yourself these four questions:

• How do you want your kitchen to look?
• How do you currently use your kitchen, and what is it lacking?
• Do you want items to show, or would you like a sleek, uncluttered look?
• How much space do you have to accomplish what you need?

Next, consider the following:

Materials

Some of the most popular materials on the market for countertops are marble, wood, concrete, and stainless steel. Some of these can be used as cabinet fronts, if you have a considerable budget! Considering how your countertops will look affects your cabinet choices. If you are choosing a dramatically patterned granite or marble countertop you may want to go with a simple cabinet style. When considering wood, there are so many options to choose from that aren’t based on the old standards of oak or maple. There are beautiful eco-friendly and sustainable cabinets made from recycled plastic bottles and reclaimed wood that meet the design style of today’s homeowners.

Finishes

Today’s kitchen designs are following mixed media trends with upper and lower cabinets coordinated instead of matching. Imagine marble and teak, or walnut inserts mixed with stainless steel. The possibilities are endless. Combinations like caramel-toned wood and dark counter and appliance surfaces, or natural and airy elements like light-toned wood and glass. Textured finishes are also really big in modern kitchens, pushing the envelope on kitchen design. Be aware that these textures aren’t always easy to clean and can capture grease and dirt.

Decorative Details

There are so many fun options for kitchens today you don’t need to be limited to traditional layouts and what your original home design provided. You can have cabinets with curves, integrated range hoods, bright-colored cabinets, rustic shelves, hidden pantries (larders), plate racks, and more. If you can imagine it, someone has probably designed a cabinet for it.

Internal Functions

Cabinets for your built-in appliances are very popular now, combining functionality with style and design. You’ll find kitchen cabinets housing the microwave, refrigerator/freezer, dishwasher, pull-outs for mixers, and other items, built-in cutting boards, and sliding pantries.

Storage

You still need to maximize storage. There is a fine line in choosing cabinets that are appealing on the outside yet keep things organized on the inside. Regardless of the style you want: modern, traditional or transitional, colors, and finishes; cabinets need to be planned from the inside out to make sure you are using every possible space to store your items.

One of the best things you can do when considering a remodel is to consult a professional team that understands the nuances and can design based on your style preferences and needs. There are a ton of unknowns to deal with when planning a remodel, and it’s easy to miss things or allow certain details to fall through the cracks. Bay Area clients can use our design-to-build method to make planning easy.  You design your dream, work directly with the builder and get material assistance from our interior designer to select everything suited to your style.

Ready for an estimate? Use Drafting Cafe’s free online instant estimate tool to get started.

The Truth About 1 Day Bathroom Remodelers

Bathrooms are one of the most high-traffic areas in your home and they see a lot of wear and tear over time. They’re also one of the most valuable. A well-designed bathroom can increase the sale price of a home by a substantial amount. 

A bathroom remodel can add value to your home beyond financial gain by creating a more functional space designed to fit your needs. Zillow data shows that bathroom remodels yield the biggest returns in terms of boosting your home’s resale value. For minor cosmetic changes, you’ll see a $1.71 increase in home value for every $1 you spend. This includes things like painting and refinishing cabinets, swapping out the mirror, or upgrading hardware.

There are multiple remodel options, many of which claim to be faster and more affordable than others. These are often 1-day bathroom remodelers, who give your bathroom a complete makeover in several hours.

If it sounds too good to be true, that’s because it is. Here’s what you need to know about 1-day remodels and if there are other bathroom design options that may be a better fit for your needs. 

The Pitfalls of 1-Day Bathroom Remodels 

Getting a completely new bathroom in just a day seems like a great deal. However, there are some problems that lurk under the surface of a quickie bathroom remodel — both figuratively and literally.  

Acrylic Tub Liners Only Cover Up Problems 

Acrylic tub liners are almost always used in 1-day bathroom remodels because they are easy to install. They can also make a big visual impact on the space. Unfortunately, these liners are often made with poor quality materials that simply fit over the existing tub and tile. 

If there are any structural problems with the tub, they will still be there underneath the acrylic liner. Since it’s impossible to get a perfect fit, there’s also space between the liner and the original tub for mold and mildew to grow. This can trigger the start of underlying structure damage of your home. 

This can also create a health hazard for you and your family. As the mold and mildew build, it can seep out of cracks around where the liner meets the original tub or out of cracks in the acrylic itself if it becomes damaged. In some cases, this can make you feel unwell or cause serious health problems. 

1-Day Bathroom Remodelers Have a Limited Selection of Materials 

Another issue with 1-day bathroom remodels is that there are usually only very limited design and function options to choose from. Many of the tub, cabinet, sink, toilet, and faucet designs are premade and mass-manufactured. This may leave you with having only a couple of different choices in each category. 

This can mean you end up “settling” on fixtures you don’t necessarily like or aren’t the best fit for what you need. You’re saving a little extra money, but still spending a lot for something that is only adequate — if that. 

Deceiving Costs

It may sound counter intuitive, but 1-day bathroom remodelers can turn out to be more expensive. Actual customers reported paying a lot more to 1-day remodelers than to regular contractors for the convenience of being a one-stop shop. In fact, a 1-day remodel of two small bathrooms can cost almost twice of what a regular contractor would charge.

How Drafting Cafe Architects Are Different

Drafting Cafe Architects understands the importance of good bathroom design, quality materials, and trustworthy craftsmanship. We can help you create your custom bathroom remodel with a larger variety of fixtures to choose from. Our designers will work with you to understand your unique needs, so we can design a bathroom perfectly suited to you. Contact us today for a free estimate for your bathroom remodel. 

Drafting Cafe Architects also offers expert home office and home school interior design services. Customize and optimize the existing space in your home to be more functional and effective for work or school. 

4 Creative Ways to Design an Accessory Dwelling Unit

Having an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on your Bay Area property gives you more living space. You might consider an ADU if an older parent or relative is moving in with you. ADUs are also a great place to work on hobbies or other projects of your own. Designing an ADU involves making several decisions. You’ll need to figure out how much lighting you need, the layout of each room, and more. Professional architects can help you make the best design decisions for your ADU. You can also start thinking about ADU design with the following tips.

Let In More Light

No matter what size your ADU is, having plenty of light can make it feel roomier. Natural light coming in through larger windows or skylights creates an airy look and feel. You can also get more natural light with sliding glass doors. This can make smaller ADUs feel more spacious. Some rooms, such as bathrooms, require more privacy. However, you can still add light to these rooms with windows placed higher up or skylights. You can also use layered lights in these areas, such as downlights, sconces, or recessed lighting.

Raise the Ceiling

ADUs have limits when it comes to height. However, you can usually build an ADU that’s 16 feet high or less. Taller ceilings, such as vaulted ceilings, can make your ADU appear larger and more airy. Vaulted ceilings offer several benefits, including extra wall space for shelves, storage, and decor. These ceilings can bring more natural light into your home as well, especially with larger windows or skylights. Our Medium Roast and Macchiato ADUs both feature vaulted ceilings for a spacious look and more comfortable living environment.

Consider Convenience in the Kitchen

Whether you want a kitchenette or a full kitchen in your ADU, keep convenience in mind for the layout. Your ADU’s kitchen or kitchenette should have a layout that makes it easy to go back and forth between the stove, fridge, and sink. This kind of layout helps make meal prep and cleanup go more smoothly. You’ll also want to make sure you have enough storage space. Backsplash shelves or a pull-out pantry are a couple of ideas to consider to add storage. These options give you more room to store items without giving up usable kitchen space.

Add Built-In Bedroom Features

The bedroom in your ADU might only function as a place to sleep, especially if it’s smaller. A larger ADU bedroom might double as a workspace, though. Built-in features are suitable for both smaller and larger ADU bedrooms. You can add built-in drawers for storage in a smaller room. This helps prevent full dressers from taking up space. If the bedroom is larger, a built-in desk and shelves can provide a workspace. Consider The Latte ADU, which offers 1,000 square feet of space and two bedrooms. This ADU also has spacious closets for storage. 

If you’re thinking of adding an ADU to your property, contact Drafting Cafe Architects. We can provide you with a free estimate for your project. Our team can also help you come up with the best design for your ADU.