There are many things that can go wrong on any build or remodel project and especially an ADU, but the first, and most important, mistake people make is hiring the wrong people for the architectural/design process.
There is so much work that goes into this process that the average lay person does not appreciate. Simply having a clear understanding of the building codes which are so complex and constantly changing is vital to being able to professionally design your ADU. Anyone can draw a floor plan and a layout using the apps or programs that are available online now. But you want an architect who has experience navigating and working with city agencies and who will design your ADU in a way that is going to receive the least amount of resistance at the planning counter. In order to do that they need to understand the codes and restrictions when designing your ADU. You need a structural engineer to stamp and approve your plans. You need to do your Title 24 calculations and you need to do a site plan which includes drawings for the entire house. If you get a city official that tries to deny your permits on something that is legal, according to state regulations; you want someone that understands this and will push back on your behalf. An inexperienced designer or builder will not know to do this.
You also want a designer that can design the interior of your ADU as well as the exterior structure. A well designed 400 sq ft space is more desirable than a 600 sq ft poorly designed space. A good designer knows how to make a small space both functional and beautiful. An experienced designer understands the nuances of using interesting interior spaces, creative storage, multi-functional furnishings, and lots of well-placed windows to make your small space feel bigger. The designer is going to ask you lots of questions about how you will use your ADU to make it both livable and ideal for whoever will use the space whether its yourself, your parents, or potential renters.
A good designer will save you money. It is an investment to work with a designer, but when you do, gone are the days of picking out the wrong paint color or purchasing a piece of furniture that is not the right scale for your space or maybe does not even fit through your door, or a cabinet door that bumps into an appliance, or a rug that’s the wrong size for the space. Designers can interpret your needs and help you to make wise purchases, teach you where to save and where to splurge. Designers are versed in all types of budgets and will help you understand where your money is going.
A good designer can save you time. Time is even more valuable than money for a lot of people. Shopping for products online or in person can be an endless time-consuming process unless you know where to go for the pieces that fit your style and budget. A good designer will not only direct you in what to purchase, but they will also guide you as to why you should purchase it. Decision-making will slow down your project and time is money on any remodel or build. Having a good designer to help you with these choices, so you do not halt the progress, is key. Having your design and specifications complete before you start the project and all materials ordered and on site, when needed, will prevent delays on the job.
An organized designer will have systems in place to track every item that is ordered and delivered. They will also secure building and project permits early and maintain a project binder and fixtures and finishes schedule detailing each room. No project will run perfectly smoothly without some kind of delays or issues arising, especially now with all the supply chain issues and labor shortages going on. But, this is nothing new. It has always been inevitable for most build or remodel projects to run into some problems along the way. But a good designer will handle those issues in a timely manner and deal with all of the red tape involved so that you don’t have to. They will do their best to keep your project on schedule, as best they can, given whatever circumstances arise.
A good designer will manage your project and oversee the construction/installation and delivery with contractors, as well as cabinet makers, flooring installers, electricians, plumbers, tiling installers, window treatment installers, custom furniture manufacturers, etc..
Skimping on the design services and going with an inexpensive option, and then not getting a project that you really love because it was designed poorly, is the biggest mistake people can make!! A well-designed home makes us happier. You deserve to work with an interior designer who will give you peace of mind. Your experience should be effortless. There will be ups and downs, as with every project, but as your designer, Décor Revolution will handle everything.