newsletter-new-02

Building and remodeling experts do what we do, because we enjoy helping people achieve their dreams and goals. It's a service-oriented business, especially when we're interacting with homeowners personally, explaining the process and everything that affects the investment.

You call a design professional because you know you need and want to remodel your home, or build a new home. You have high expectations and positive anticipation about the first meeting, even if you have spent time exchanging e-mails and chatting on the phone, because your are hoping that the design professional can help you achieve what you want. It's very similar to feelings you've had since you were a child, anticipating what you'll get for your birthday. There's one major difference, though. Building and remodeling include negotiations and tradeoffs.

Years ago, the instructor for my very first interior design class said something that has stuck with me, and I've used it with virtually every client:

"There are only two ways to pay for something. You can take it out of your pocketbook, or you can take it out of your hide."

Many homeowners in today's economy are willing to do part (or all) of their own labor, which can save a considerable amount of money. Jay and I saved over $45,000 when we built our home by installing all of the tile, painting all of the interior walls and trim, and finishing all of the wood on the stairs and in the living room. The goal was to get our dream home built, and we didn't have the funds to pay professionals to do it all. Fortunately, our contractor understood our financial situation, and was willing to work with our challenging circumstances. We're very happy with the results, and grateful that we were able to achieve our goals.

Recently, I have met with several homeowners who want and need to save money on their projects, because the economy has reduced their home value by as much as 35%, and home equity loans are difficult to obtain. Products are expensive, and contractors' overhead has increased, which adds to the dilemma. Following is a range of investments* for "standard" projects without any structural changes or modifications to exterior walls (i.e., new windows and doors), including professional design fee and mid-price products:

Kitchen with new appliances, cabinets, countertops and backsplash, lighting and plumbing fixtures, flooring surface, freshly-painted ceiling and walls: $35,000-$60,000 "turnkey" (all work done by a contractor and crew); $20,000-$37,000 mostly D-I-Y

Master Bathroom with new plumbing fixtures, cabinets, countertops and backsplash, lighting and ventilation fixtures, tile, flooring surface, freshly-painted ceiling and walls: $17,000-$35,000 "turnkey"; $12,000-$22,000 mostly D-I-Y

Guest Bathroom with new plumbing fixtures, cabinets, countertops and backsplash, lighting and ventilation fixtures, tile, flooring surface, freshly-painted ceiling and walls: $13,000-$20,000 "turnkey"; $8,000-$13,000 mostly D-I-Y

*Please note: The stated investment ranges are based on my experience, and verified by experienced contractors. There is no guarantee that your project will be within the stated range, due to variables in product and labor prices for your specific area.

It was very challenging recently, to tell prospective clients that their remodeling goals were not achievable for the budget they wanted to maintain. This is when I feel more like the Grinch than Santa Claus, but my career path includes the necessity for honesty, at the cost of losing a project right now. I feel it's better to lose a client, than lose respect as an honest professional.

Your building or remodeling project will be filled with anticipation and surprises. If you would like to read the short story I wrote as an example of one (hypothetical) family's emotional roller coaster ride, all you have to do is send a request for "An Almost-Perfect Project" to me at orders@dp-design.com. Normally, I sell the short story for $4.95, but if you send a request before November 6, I'll send an electronic copy of it at no charge!

--o0o--

PLESSET'S PRINCIPLES FOR TOMORROW'S DESIGNERS

ESTIMATING: DO YOUR HOMEWORK

It is unfortunate that most design programs do not include classes in estimating. This is one of the most important skills you will learn, because it is something you will use frequently in your career.

It's very important to learn how to estimate quantities, i.e.:

Square feet and square yards for floor surfaces
Lineal yards of fabric for window treatments and furniture (don't forget the "match" factors)
Square feet of walls and ceilings for paint (lineal feet for wall coverings)
Square feet and lineal feet for countertops
Square feet for tile (and lineal feet for trim)

Also, it's very important to gather information about product pricing. You don't have to know it by heart, but I recommend that you establish a binder for pricing information based on an average range of investments. Everyone can relate to the "good-better-best" concept, and it's not difficult to ascertain which investment range fits a particular client best.

As soon as possible, establish a working relationship with contractors, suppliers and distributors who are willing to take time to help you learn pricing information. They know it's an investment in the future, which creates a win-win-win situation for them, for you, and for your clients.

Estimating also includes estimating your fee, which I'll cover in a future newsletter.

--o0o--

"Plesset's Principles for Today is Home" is YOUR personal information service, to help you make informed decisions about every aspect of your building or remodeling project. Send an e-mail today with your questions to: Q@dp-design.com

IN THIS ISSUE: Anticipation and Reality Check Estimating: Do Your Homework			Dear [dear] Anticipation is a very natural feeling, from our first days as an infant, waiting to be fed, which is a positive experience of bonding with our mothers and feeling loved. As we mature, we learn that anticipation can be negative (visiting the doctor or dentist, losing a loved one to illness) as well as positive. For me, 2009 has been a year filled with extremely negative and positive anticipation. Experience has taught me to be more patient, and appreciate everything good that has happened. Hopefully, I've been learning skills that will help me help others understand and accept the emotional roller coaster ride that's associated with building and remodeling, and life. Thursday is a small example of extremes: anticipating a doctor's appointment in the morning, followed by delivery of our newly-upholstered chairs that I mentioned in last week's newsletter. Thank you, Kristina and Gina, of Trio Furniture, for accommodating my request! Finishing our living room, and getting together with friends on Friday, is the most wonderful birthday gift I've had since we moved into our new home two years ago. All things considered, life would be so dull without the feeling of anticipation. Many times, it's what helps us live in the present, and prepare for the future. With Inspired Ideas For Your Home,
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Q@dp-design.com

		Plesset's Principles for Today's Home® ANTICIPATION AND REALITY CHECK Building and remodeling experts do what we do, because we enjoy helping people achieve their dreams and goals. It's a service-oriented business, especially when we're interacting with homeowners personally, explaining the process and everything that affects the investment. You call a design professional because you know you need and want to remodel your home, or build a new home. You have high expectations and positive anticipation about the first meeting, even if you have spent time exchanging e-mails and chatting on the phone, because your are hoping that the design professional can help you achieve what you want. It's very similar to feelings you've had since you were a child, anticipating what you'll get for your birthday. There's one major difference, though. Building and remodeling include negotiations and tradeoffs. Years ago, the instructor for my very first interior design class said something that has stuck with me, and I've used it with virtually every client: "There are only two ways to pay for something. You can take it out of your pocketbook, or you can take it out of your hide." Many homeowners in today's economy are willing to do part (or all) of their own labor, which can save a considerable amount of money. Jay and I saved over $45,000 when we built our home by installing all of the tile, painting all of the interior walls and trim, and finishing all of the wood on the stairs and in the living room. The goal was to get our dream home built, and we didn't have the funds to pay professionals to do it all. Fortunately, our contractor understood our financial situation, and was willing to work with our challenging circumstances. We're very happy with the results, and grateful that we were able to achieve our goals. Recently, I have met with several homeowners who want and need to save money on their projects, because the economy has reduced their home value by as much as 35%, and home equity loans are difficult to obtain. Products are expensive, and contractors' overhead has increased, which adds to the dilemma. Following is a range of investments* for "standard" projects without any structural changes or modifications to exterior walls (i.e., new windows and doors), including professional design fee and mid-price products: Kitchen with new appliances, cabinets, countertops and backsplash, lighting and plumbing fixtures, flooring surface, freshly-painted ceiling and walls: $35,000-$60,000 "turnkey" (all work done by a contractor and crew); $20,000-$37,000 mostly D-I-Y Master Bathroom with new plumbing fixtures, cabinets, countertops and backsplash, lighting and ventilation fixtures, tile, flooring surface, freshly-painted ceiling and walls: $17,000-$35,000 "turnkey"; $12,000-$22,000 mostly D-I-Y Guest Bathroom with new plumbing fixtures, cabinets, countertops and backsplash, lighting and ventilation fixtures, tile, flooring surface, freshly-painted ceiling and walls: $13,000-$20,000 "turnkey"; $8,000-$13,000 mostly D-I-Y *Please note: The stated investment ranges are based on my experience, and verified by experienced contractors. There is no guarantee that your project will be within the stated range, due to variables in product and labor prices for your specific area. It was very challenging recently, to tell prospective clients that their remodeling goals were not achievable for the budget they wanted to maintain. This is when I feel more like the Grinch than Santa Claus, but my career path includes the necessity for honesty, at the cost of losing a project right now. I feel it's better to lose a client, than lose respect as an honest professional. Your building or remodeling project will be filled with anticipation and surprises. If you would like to read the short story I wrote as an example of one (hypothetical) family's emotional roller coaster ride, all you have to do is send a request for "An Almost-Perfect Project" to me at orders@dp-design.com. Normally, I sell the short story for $4.95, but if you send a request before November 6, I'll send an electronic copy of it at no charge! --o0o-- PLESSET'S PRINCIPLES FOR TOMORROW'S DESIGNERS ESTIMATING: DO YOUR HOMEWORK It is unfortunate that most design programs do not include classes in estimating. This is one of the most important skills you will learn, because it is something you will use frequently in your career. It's very important to learn how to estimate quantities, i.e.: Square feet and square yards for floor surfaces Lineal yards of fabric for window treatments and furniture (don't forget the "match" factors) Square feet of walls and ceilings for paint (lineal feet for wall coverings) Square feet and lineal feet for countertops Square feet for tile (and lineal feet for trim) Also, it's very important to gather information about product pricing. You don't have to know it by heart, but I recommend that you establish a binder for pricing information based on an average range of investments. Everyone can relate to the "good-better-best" concept, and it's not difficult to ascertain which investment range fits a particular client best. As soon as possible, establish a working relationship with contractors, suppliers and distributors who are willing to take time to help you learn pricing information. They know it's an investment in the future, which creates a win-win-win situation for them, for you, and for your clients. Estimating also includes estimating your fee, which I'll cover in a future newsletter. --o0o-- "Plesset's Principles for Today is Home" is YOUR personal information service, to help you make informed decisions about every aspect of your building or remodeling project. Send an e-mail today with your questions to: Q@dp-design.com
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		ABOUT DIANE Diane established D. P. Design in April of 1984, to help homeowners, like you, achieve the best building and remodeling experience with her personalized consulting, design services, seminars, articles, and books. She is a homeowner advocate, an award-winning designer and author, and former co-host of a weekly radio program. "Plesset's Principles for Today's Home®" is another avenue for Diane to express her passion for helping people, using her God-given talents, education, and experience to provide "Inspired Ideas for Your Home®". She is one of about 150 designers in the United States with multiple certifications as a Master Kitchen-Bath Designer, Interior Designer, and Aging-in-Place Specialist. Diane can help you achieve your building or remodeling goals, using state-of-the-art computer aided drafting software ("Archicad"). To request more information, visit Diane's website, or send an e-mail to Diane: Q@dp-design.com. You are welcome to share this newsletter. We request that you copy and paste it in its entirety, including Diane's bio.
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		DIANE PLESSET, CMKBD, NCIDQ #13029, C.A.P.S. D. P. DESIGN P.O. Box 1132 Oregon City, OR. 97045 IF YOU WISH TO STOP RECEIVING THESE E-MAILS, REPLY WITH "UNSUBSCRIBE" IN THE SUBJECT LINE © 2009 D. P. Design - All Rights Reserved
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