How Do I Get Started?

Many people contemplate building a new house or embarking on a renovation for years before they actually do it. Some know exactly what they want, and others only know what they don’t like about their existing house. Some have a vision with specific design elements, others think in terms of function. Whatever the circumstance, people often put the project off far longer than they want to, simply because they don’t know how to get started.

At Laplante Construction, our responsibility to you includes helping you get started and assisting you with every step along the way.

The three most important things for you to do to get the ball rolling on a successful and rewarding project is 1) create your wish list, 2) know what your home is worth and how much equity you have in it, and 3) think about a time schedule that builds in a lot of up front planning time.

Wish List

Of course it would be great if every customer knew exactly what they wanted and the size of their budget. In most cases, this is not reality. In fact, we understand that what you want and what you can spend is often a chicken and egg game, because the cost depends on what you want to do, but what you want to do depends on how much things cost.

Therefore, the best way to begin is to simply create a wish list of what you don’t like about your home and what you’d like to change and/or add. Take a tour of your house with this in mind and create a comprehensive list. Listing everything doesn’t mean you’ll do it all, but it helps you to prioritize what’s most important to you.

Know Some of the Numbers

While it’s not necessary to know your precise budget up front, it is important to know the level of equity in your home and what it’s worth if you were to sell it today. This will help you think about financing possibilities. And it will start your thinking about the type of investment you want to make. For example, is it critical that your investment be recouped in resale value or is it more important for you to get what you want in how you live in your home, regardless of the potential return?

Time to Plan

There is absolutely no question that the best projects are the ones where 90% of the planning is completed before breaking ground. This often requires a planning period that is longer than what people think is necessary or hope for. However, we’ve found time and again that allowing a lot of time for up front planning pays off in speed, scheduling and satisfaction throughout the rest of the project.

Once you’ve taken these steps, we can help you define your project, your design and your budget. We’ll give you the specifics you need to make decisions, and as stewards of your resources, we’ll help you make the most of your money.

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