Tackling a home renovation can bring up a lot of emotions — there’s the anticipation of building your dream space, the pressure to order the right products and the stress of landing on a design and picking partners, all while staying on budget. Add all those up, and it’s a lot — and you haven’t even gotten started yet!
To help you feel more at ease before embarking, we tapped renovation expert Ashley Wainscott, CEO of Simply Home in Austin, Texas, for her strategies on navigating the experience from start to finish. Her big-picture takeaway? “Work with companies that think through your options with you, because you may not recognize options that will make your home more functional,” she says.
A concierge company like Ferguson Bath, Kitchen, & Lighting Gallery, for example, will go above and beyond — not merely selling you products, but providing personalized guidance all along the way. “I worked with Ferguson on my last home renovation,” says Dan DiClerico, Director of Home Improvement and Outdoor at the Good Housekeeping Institute. “Their expansive showroom and staff expertise were instrumental in us finding all the right fixtures for our kitchen and bathrooms.”
Wainscott recommends coming prepared to your initial consultations, so the experts can help you leverage your resources for the best outcome. (For example, peruse the website before heading to a Ferguson showroom to help you narrow down the products you are most interested in seeing in person.) Read on for her tips on the main issues to focus on in advance.
Develop a Clear Design Vision
While budget is essential (we’ll get there shortly!), it can be tricky to begin pricing and deciding what’s realistic without an end goal in mind. “Projects are more successful when the client has a solid vision of what they want,” says Wainscott. If you’re feeling lost, collect visual references for the space you’re hoping to create from social media and magazines before tapping a professional for help. One such source is Trends & Influences, which forecasts trends for the upcoming year and beyond and is available free online and in Ferguson showrooms.
Make the most of the tools available to you — if you’re shopping at a Ferguson showroom, say, you can schedule a one-on-one appointment. In this time, a skilled consultant can help provide additional inspiration, walk you through your options and streamline the process of selecting all the right pieces for your project. You can also use their easy Shop by Look tool to see how various pieces can be used for different projects and aesthetics. Come prepared with basic measurements and blueprints in addition to inspo, to make the most of your meeting time.
And an online project tool like the one from Build with Ferguson is a great way to keep all the design ideas, products, inspiration, and costs you settle upon organized. You can explore everything from lighting and plumbing to appliances and flooring, add them to your project, and even share your lists and ideas with your design partners.
Nail Down a Budget
Create a realistic budget — and communicate it clearly and often. Wainscott recommends doing a little legwork before finalizing a number, especially if you’re new to construction: “Request preliminary ballpark ranges from companies you are considering hiring before launching into the full design.”
Also know that every decision you make on layout and materials will affect your budget, so it’s wise to make a list of priorities you’re willing to spend more on (luxe sink fixtures, perhaps) and elements you don’t mind keeping basic. Wainscott recommends asking each reno partner to supply you with “a detailed estimate and contract — make sure you know exactly what is included or not included.”
Assemble Your Team
In a classic heist movie, this would be the montage moment, when you put together your dream team. It might not look quite that exciting in real life, but it’s a vital step in ensuring your process is as seamless as possible. Wainscott suggests asking trusted local friends and neighbors for first-person recommendations when it comes to contractors, architects and designers. Then do your research — review their accreditations, past projects, social-media presence and online reviews.
The experts at Ferguson advocate referencing the National Association of Home Builders, the National Association of the Remodeling Industry and the American Society of Interior Designers both to locate and check accredited pros. Your showroom consultant can talk you through the search process in more detail during your private appointment. DiClerico says, “It’s important to bring your contractor into the process as early as possible, since they’ll give realistic feedback on actual project costs. You don’t want to fall in love with a design, only to find out that it’s way beyond your budget because of structural issues or other unforseens.”
Keep in mind that what was right for someone else might still not be the best fit for you. “Ask yourself: Will they be my advocate? Do they see my vision? Will they be the best partner for me?” says Wainscott. “Trust your gut instinct. If it’s telling you a contractor is not for you, listen to it.”
Shop IRL Before Purchasing
Online shopping can be great for narrowing things down, but nothing compares to experiencing fixtures, appliances and finishes in person. An in-person visit to a showroom like Ferguson is especially helpful, since you’ll find a curated selection of luxury and designer brands that will allow you to compare and contrast. With everything from lighting to appliances in one place, you can knock out all your selections in one go. (After all, sometimes you have to sit in each actual tub to know which one you’ll love for years to come.)
And try to avoid getting swept up in trends unless you genuinely love them — and are confident that love is going to be a lasting one. “Focus on choosing products that speak to you,” says Wainscott. “It’s good to get inspiration, but be careful not to fall into the trap of what everyone else is doing.”
Communicate Clearly
Even with the best team in place, things can get lost in translation or fall through the cracks during a busy renovation. One huge benefit of working with an expert showroom consultant like those at Ferguson is their project-coordination skills. They work closely with both you and your reno team to ensure a smooth experience from inspiration to installation, are well-versed in the lingo and can help head off any issues before they happen — all of which can keep you on schedule and on budget. Ferguson even has an online project-management tool where you and your collaborators can share images and spec sheets and sort products by room.
Most important: Always advocate for your and your family’s needs. “Take into account where you put things like shampoo bottles in the shower, or cereal boxes in your pantry. The placement of electrical outlets can be huge,” says Wainscott. “Remember: All of these things are going to impact your life every day.”
