This or That: Remodeling Edition đď¸â¨
Remodeling your home? Letâs play a little game we like to call This or That: Remodeling Editionâwhere dreams meet floor plans, budgets meet cost codes, and your wild Pinterest board finally faces reality. Whether youâre working with a general contractor, DIY-ing it with ambition and a prayer, or calling in the custom home builders, there are decisions to be made. So, letâs get into it!
Open Concept or Traditional Floor Plan?
Youâve seen it a million timesâwalls framing the past vs. wide-open living spaces that let in the light. While blueprints can be revised, choosing your floor plan early on helps your contractor and design team stay on track. Open concepts are great for passive house energy efficiency and forced air heating/cooling, but traditional spaces may suit older homes built on expansive soils or lots with load-bearing girder trusses.
Granite or Quartz Countertops?
Listen, weâre not saying this is the change order that breaks the bank, but countertop choices do affect your cost to build a house. Granite screams luxury (custom home builder dreams), while quartz boasts easy maintenance and modern style. Either way, your construction site will need plenty of green board (pressure-treated lumber) and precise flashing to prep for cabinets and surfaces.
Shiplap or Smooth Drywall?
The great Chip & Joanna debate! Construction workers are no strangers to this one. Shiplap gives you that farmhouse pop, but smooth drywall (especially with fire-resistive finishes) feels clean and contemporary. Either way, youâll need top-quality fascia, felt (underlayment), and good olâ frieze board (bird block) to make sure the walls arenât just prettyâbut sturdy.
Ready Mix Concrete or Poured On-Site?
Letâs talk foundation. Is it time to bring in the backhoe and get messy, or go with a reliable ready mix concrete supplier? Both can result in solid footers (footings) and precise grade levels, but timelines and budgets differ. Flatwork like patios and driveways can also benefit from one method over the otherâdepending on weather, access, and soil condition.
Modern or Classic Exterior?
Whatâs your construction company vibe? Are you going sleek and steel with green building techniques, or sticking to classic craftsman with exposed beams and glulam accents? Your choice of fascia, GFCI protection points, and even flashing materials will vary. And don't forget the importance of good damp proofing and proper form setup before finishing those final elevations.
Tech-Heavy or Paper-Only Planning?
We live in the BIM (Building Information Modeling) era, folks. CAD files, daily reports, and digital bid submissions are replacing manual processes. But some builders still swear by the physical blueprints taped to the trailer wall. Whether you go tech-forward or keep it classic, make sure your cost-plus contract reflects those details.
Remodel or Rebuild?
And finallyâthe ultimate THIS or THAT. Are you gutting the kitchen, or calling in the L&T construction cavalry to start from scratch? Sometimes, remodeling means working around outdated foundation and framing, which can make you wonder if building construction from the ground up might just be cleaner (and dare we say, cheaper?). A thorough look at your grade, footer, and form is the first step.
Final Thoughts
Every choice in remodeling has a ripple effect on your bid, timeline, and crewâfrom the construction site itself to that last GFCI outlet in your bathroom. Whether youâre dreaming of a passive house or just refreshing the fascia, the right contractor can guide you through all the âthis or thatâ moments with clarity.
And remember: when in doubt, ask your buildersâbecause green building, proper flashing, and solid foundation decisions arenât just fun buzzwordsâtheyâre the stuff your dream home is built on.
Want help making the big decisions? Reach out to your favorite construction company (hint: it's us đ) and letâs start laying down some forms togetherâliterally and metaphorically.