What does it take to Remodel, Renovate, Reimagine a Big Waterfront Home?
BEFORE
AFTER
Let’s start with the truth: Home improvement shows lie.
There, I've said it. We've all seen the home makeover shows with at least one big, scary, costly surprise — They discover the entire electrical system is outdated and must be updated to meet code, or the wall they are removing is a supporting wall, or old water damage in the upstairs bathroom means the wall needs to be replaced all the way down to the kitchen below.
Suddenly the whole project is derailed and the budget doubles.
Of course, it's no surprise to anyone who has renovated or remodeled a large home that costs and time can quickly add up. But, in my years of experience as an architect, I know many of those unexpected surprises are avoidable.
And when it comes to taking on the needs of a whole-house remodel for a large, waterfront home, there are plenty of surprises you want to be sure you avoid.
How to Avoid the Scary Surprises of a Whole-House Remodel
The solution can be as simple as involving the right people in planning before starting on a complete home renovation, long before anyone shows up with a sledgehammer or a box of new tiles.
Taking time at the beginning to do thorough homework and planning — with a team of professionals — not only helps reveal issues and problems so they can be accounted for in the schedule and budget, it also provides for a more comprehensive and collaborative approach to project success.
As an architect, I have so much experience with large, high-end home renovations, especially old buildings, I won't mislead you: A complete, whole-house remodel isn't easy, it isn't fast — and it isn't the low-budget answer. But our clients tell us it's worth it.
Honestly, these projects take more than a talented architect and skilled contractor: It takes great clients with patience, vision, and a willingness to invest time and money in renovating their home.
Start with an Architect
No matter the size or the scope of your remodeling project, most homeowners need help making decisions about the available options and understanding what's feasible and appropriate for their needs, budget, and schedule. And what can really work with the existing building. This is especially true when the goal is to completely remodel and redesign a large home.
An experienced architect understands the process — from beginning to end — and recognizes what can be accomplished to ensure the project is based on good design that meets the objectives, works with the limitations and condition of the existing home, and complies with local building codes.
Most of all, the expertise an architect brings to your whole-house remodeling project will help avoid costly surprises and mistakes. By engaging an architect early, they have the time to study the existing situation and understand your ideas and needs so they can begin to outline initial solutions.
That early stage of consultation and idea exchange with your architect includes answering many questions, such as, will the needs of the family be different in a few years and are the new plans flexible enough to accommodate change? Will the changes or increased floor area overwhelm the existing? Will the new space be seamless and appropriate for the home? Does the budget match your dreams? Can you commit to the timeline and budget required to achieve what you want and what is needed?
As you and your architect make progress on your remodeling plan, add a great contractor with remodeling expertise to complete your team. From that point on, we can all work collaboratively and collectively to get to the end goal.
Moving from ideas and preliminary concepts to drawing up plans for construction and permitting is an investment that will be quickly recouped when the first mistake is avoided.
Then, by keeping your architect on board during the construction phase, they can help you ensure the construction work is done in accordance with the drawings, answer questions, check material selections, maintain progress, and keep the budget in check.
Not all Remodel Projects are the Same
As an architect experienced with remodeling old and new buildings and large waterfront homes, I appreciate the power and limitations of renovation. And some architects, like me, licensed to do interior design as well, are able to provide a holistic service from outside to inside, ensuring both function and an attractive unified look.
Moving a wall or adding windows to incorporate daylight can energize an ordinary space — and an architect knows which wall to move. Bad space planning, poor lighting, and old furniture can be roadblocks to getting the results you want.
At Studio AJO, when we talk about complete home renovations, remodels, or more to the point, re-imaginings, we aren't about the quick fix or the shortcut. The remodeling and renovation projects we take on are always more than new cabinets and tiles in the kitchen or bathroom.
We focus on lovingly restoring and reinvigorating the whole home. And we know that a successful complete house remodel takes commitment, time, and budget.
One of our most recent whole-house, waterfront home remodel projects is a great examples of what can be accomplished when we work with clients who are committed to a complete remodel that respects the history and integrity of the original design, while re-imagining and reshaping the space for the future.
Sol Mates Cottage
Sol Mates Cottage is a unique waterfront home. The original wood frame house began its life in 1912 on Useppa Island and was barged to its current location on the dunes of Captiva Island in 1948.
In a day and age when so many older homes are simply torn down, the current owners bought this property committed to renovate, update, and save this custom classic.
After nearly a century, this historic house had fallen into disrepair. In the early 2000’s some essential repairs were made, but structural damage and prominent issues with the original layout remained.
Working closely with the owners, Studio AJO's renovation plan for the cottage include further remedial work to deal with years of moisture issues that had ruined the floors, walls, windows, and roof. But the real opportunity presented was to reorganize interior space, and improve the flow, light, and utility of the home.
We removed clusters of room partitions in favor of open space, and leveled awkward interior elevation changes and sagging floors. Our renovation plan gave priority to gathering spaces and the Master Suite, opening up the view outward over the dunes toward the Gulf of Mexico.
From start to finish, the Studio AJO team worked closely with the homeowners and together with a contractor who was experienced in such extensive remedial remodeling and renovation work.
The whole-house renovation of this historic home took the commitment of great clients with patience, vision, and the ability to dedicate both time and money to the process.
View more images from this whole-house remodel
Is it Time to Rethink and Reimagine Your Home?
Homes have always been more than an arrangement of rooms — and over the past year, our homes took on new meaning, adapting to new purposes, and inspiring many of us to consider our homes in a different light. Now, people look to their homes to provide space for comfortable living, as well as full-time work, a child's remote classroom, outdoor living and entertaining space, and more.
Consider the home you live in now and how a complete remodel may be the solution for your needs.
Maybe it's time to put that remodel project back on the front burner. If you have access to funds and can commit to the long-term timeline of a whole-house remodel, invest now to make what you have work better for you, and enjoy your home for less than you'll pay later.
And, because you want a workable solution that helps you keep surprises to a minimum and respects your budget, start by consulting with an architect. As with any smart upfront investment, you'll reap the rewards and maximize your assets with the end result.
With a complete home renovation, the only surprise should be saving money. And that begins with investing wisely from the start.
Joyce Owens, FAIA RIBA