It dawned on me that many of my clients have been living with things that have bugged them for years. My favorite prospects have longed for a better floor plan or have run out of space and options. This is where the art of remodeling comes in. Many of them have managed to avoid remodeling like the plague. The hunchback of Notre Dame did not just wake up one morning and notice a massive hump on his back. True story, “The kids are grown, but they’re comfortable here and are not leaving like we thought they would. I am sick of sharing my bathroom.”

History Is Important

The age of the home tells me a lot; some similarities exist for the vintage, and I have become a student of this little-known fact. The history of ownership tells a story, too. I recall a home we determined was used for temporary housing by researching vintage phone books in the city archives. How long we ignore the problem tells me something too. One client was stepping over a gaping rotten hole in her floor just outside the shower for ages. Many have high pain tolerance.

I Use All My Senses To Investigate

I do a physical exam after gathering a good history. I take it easy on the first visit but have been known to use all 5 of my senses. I use SIGHT to look for signs of aging gracefully or not, telltale signs of past renovations, unsafe things. I use SMELL to smell mold and mildew. I use HEARING to listen as I walk across a floor and TOUCH to feel for unevenness or weak areas.  Telltale signs of previous alterations tell me a story. The client’s history with the home is another interesting line of questioning that starts to fill in the blanks. I even use TASTE. Taste, you ask; I often freak people out by sampling their efflorescence. (I am a professional) please do not do what I do.

More Space Please

The I want more space people are a second cousin to I need more space people. It is a subtle difference but one that I am keenly aware of.  The need has an immediate pace. Want is casual and laid back.

Want people evolve. To say it is a slow process is an understatement. Typically, the family has grown or is growing. Often, the walls start moving in. Sometimes, it is a work-from-home situation where work and life need some separation, but none can be found within the walls and roof. These folks are in no particular hurry; they are content to explore and get ideas and mull them over time. One client had me visit 3 times over 9 years before she pulled the trigger.

Need people have urgency and are happy that they have arrived and are ready to get down to brass tacks. They have found a friend in Levco because when a need person arrives we respond like 911 when you need it. You’ll hear; let me look at Joe’s calendar; what is your availability? We care for you like a sick patient who is in pain, afraid and needs help.

I Love My Neighbors And Neighborhood

So you like where you are and don’t want to move. That is a great reason to contact us for a site visit. It seems like there are two camps.

• Camp one has acute pain and wants to have it fixed ASAP.
• The other camp has been living with chronic pain for years and has tried to ignore it. This camp is difficult to budge, have had more pressing priorities, and are hoping that a fresh set of eyes can get them to bite the bullet and make the pain disappear. These are the same people who kick themselves for not remodeling earlier, like my aunt Louise, who had cataract surgery at 90 years old.

Both have valid reasons for their position. Understanding the situation is the first challenge. So, as weird as it seems, I want to understand what is going on first.

The first thing we do is look to see if it is a design flaw and look for hidden space within the home envelope. Barring additional space or new ways to use existing space, we look outside the box (literally)to see which way makes sense. Constraints often dictate what is possible and what is out of the question.  Our options are typically up, down, or sideways. or a combination of them. All this happens in the initial complimentary visit. The sooner we can get to your house and look things over, the better.

Join Us In Design

Once you have decided to stay and remodel your home, we come alive during our design process. We are at our best when we can be in the space and ask many questions. People tinker with plan software or perform mental gymnastics by moving things around in their heads to create the perfect plan. So many good puzzle pieces start to fit together as size and shape become imaginable. We use our experience and knowledge to guide folks toward realistic design ideas. Typically, clients know their problems and want to discuss potential solutions. Put the blog down and call!

Your comments are welcome. To ask questions or get more information about remodeling, click here to email me directly, or call 208-947-7261

If you or someone you know is considering remodeling or just wants to speak to a trustworthy remodeling contractor, please contact me. You’ll be glad you did.