One Step at a Time: A Phased Approach to Home Remodeling Projects
This modern farmhouse kitchen in Oregon City has painted white cabinets and rift-sawn white oak cabinets on the island.
It is common for homeowners to look around their living space and see several things that they would like to change, expand, or improve. If the thought of a whole home remodel seems overwhelming or financially out of reach, a phased approach may be the answer.
Simply put, phased construction allows homeowners to "break up" a remodeling project into manageable portions. Undertaking the renovation as a series of smaller projects -- rather than one large remodel––yields many benefits ranging from reducing inconvenience to lowering initial expenses by spreading the cost of a project out over a longer period.
"Phasing a construction project allows homeowners to focus on what is most important to them now, and what fits their current budget," said Robert Wood, co-owner of Mountainwood Homes, a premier design/build company that remodels and builds custom homes in the Portland, Oregon and southwest Washington areas. "Along with the financial benefits of dividing the cost into smaller, more manageable pieces, phasing also provides homeowners with a clear understanding of how a current renovation project could impact later phases of construction."
The 1999 remodeled primary bathroom in Forest Heights features a floating vanity and freestanding oval bathtub to soak in the views.
Simultaneously remodeling an entire home, or even more than one room, can be overwhelming for many families to manage. By phasing a project, homeowners can keep living in their homes for most of the process by temporarily shifting living space when needed. "In reality, most people don't have the ability to be out of their home for the amount of time it takes to complete a large construction project," said Wood. "By remodeling piece by piece, it minimizes that intrusiveness."
Phasing a home remodeling project requires an efficient and carefully thought-out plan. The expert team at Mountainwood Homes knows the complexities involved and will help homeowners gain clarity on their vision and priorities, work realistically within a budget, and coordinate every element of a design through each stage of construction.
"Clients tap into our team's professional experience and vast expertise from the earliest stages of a project. That is a significant benefit of partnering with Mountainwood Homes," according to Wood.
To brighten their 2004 Beaverton home, these homeowners started with a kitchen and family room remodel. They're already discussing plans to paint and replace the dated light fixtures in the rest of the home.
Living in the home during a phased project gives homeowners a better picture of the entire remodel as the space evolves, which may reinforce or alter previous design selections. It also provides the opportunity to gain insight into problems that may arise in other phases.
"While our team focuses on the first phase of a client's remodeling project, which usually is the kitchen, we are drawing up plans for the next phase and can get ahead of any potential problems or design changes that need to be made. At Mountainwood Homes, we have done projects of every size and scope; having that flexibility and the ability to help clients see the 'big picture' is a real advantage to collaborating with us."
Challenged by low housing inventory and high demand, many homeowners opt to renovate their current homes rather than move to a different one. "People are still investing in their homes – with additions and kitchen and bathroom renovations among the most popular ways to refresh or reinvent one's living space. Along with adding resale value, there is also a 'use' value to these types of projects when you have a great new kitchen or bathroom and enjoy it every day," said Wood.
After relocating to Portland last year, the couple purchased an original 1967 home and worked with Mountainwood Homes to create a completely open kitchen, dining, and living space.
Founded in 2008 by Robert and Heather Wood, Mountainwood Homes' collaborative "one-stop-shop" approach eliminates the homeowner's need to independently contract with separate designers, architects, contractors, trade partners, and suppliers – optimizing the value and potential of each project. The talented team at Mountainwood Homes has nearly 600 years of combined industry experience and includes architectural drafters, designers, project managers, and craftsmen.
For more information on Mountainwood Homes, visit www.mountainwoodhomes.com or call (503) 746-7338.
