Most of the time, we have to learn from our own experiences.  If we don't learn the first time, chances are high that we'll keep doing the same things in the same way, until we learn.  My goals for offering seminars, writing books and articles, and sending these newsletters to help you learn from others' mistakes, so that you may have the best possible building or remodeling experience.

If you have read my book, or followed these newsletters, you know the importance of asking questions.  There are no dumb questions.  If you feel that you're not getting the full information, continue to ask questions until you're satisfied.  

Recently, I was reminded how important questions are, and hope that you learn from my experience.  A homeowner hired me to create a new master bathroom in the space currently occupied by a spare bedroom.  Her top priority was a fantastic large shower with rainhead showerhead, body sprays, and personal shower.  Everything else was a lower priority.  She wanted to achieve the new bathroom for a maximum of $30,000.  I "guesstimated" that her investment would end up around $45,000, conservatively.  

I forgot to ask her contractor if there were any "hidden" factors.  Because he had remodeled her kitchen, I erroneously assumed that he had upgraded her electrical service.  Wrong!  The new service required added thousands of dollars to her bathroom project, before she selected products and before the plan was created.  

During the first meeting with the contractor, to review the preliminary plan, I should have asked for his input about her range of investment, so I could advise our client about it earlier rather than later.  We knew that she was highly motivated to create a serene spa retreat.  My goal was to maintain the lowest possible investment without changing her priorities.  We got estimates for all of the products as she chose them, and made substitutions to maintain a reasonable investment:

• Toto single-flush 1.6 gallon-per-flush (gpf) two-piece "Carusoe" toilet instead of the Toto dual-flush toilet ($500 savings)
• American Standard "Hampton" widespread lavatory faucet instead of the Grohe "Kensington" ($600 savings)
• Grohe instead of the Hansgrohe rainhead showerhead ($700 savings)
• Grohe instead of the Hansgrohe adjustable body sprays ($400 savings)
• Hansgrohe shower valve with integral diverter instead of the Grohe valve with separate diverter ($500 savings)
• In-stock porcelain tile for shower walls and bathroom floor ($550 savings)
• "Crema Marfil" remnant instead of an engineered stone for the countertop (approximately $350 savings)

This advice bears repeating, because it's been confirmed:

• Ask questions about everything that relates to your project
  • What's involved in the project that can affect my investment?
    • Structural changes
    • New electrical service
    • New plumbing (or relocating existing plumbing)
    • Gas line or new gas service
  • How long will it take to complete?
  • What is my total investment?
  • Can I save money by purchasing some of the products?
• Develop a spreadsheet, and use it to help you make decisions for all products
• Hire a professional designer to help you
  • Select the right products  (for this project, everything was selected within six hours!)
  • Help you acquire products at a discount
  • Maintain the spreadsheet
  • Coordinate information with the contractor and suppliers
  • Prepare detailed plans, elevations, and specifications that clearly show the scope of work, i.e., what you want, how you want it to look and function, and where you want it

Regarding the last bullet point about hiring a professional designer, I have just confirmed that the Homeowner saved 138% of the fee I am charging for all of my services (listed above).  The "priceless" factor is that I made the design process of her project enjoyable and hassle-free. Her new bathroom is going to exceed $45,000, but she will have the daily joy of using the dream bathroom she always wanted.

I have been reminded that no matter how much experience we have, there's always room for learning and improvement every day, until we die.  I have also been reminded that nothing compares with the wonderful feelings that accompany being a positive, inspirational influence on people's lives.. 

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