Justin Klopfenstein is the president of Victory Builders, a commercial and residential construction company. He graduated from The Master’s University in 2005 with a degree in biblical studies. Recently, we asked him for some advice for those looking to start a home remodeling or renovation project.
Don’t start a project before you have a good overall vision and plan in place. If you’re not up to it yourself, hire the right contractor, architect, or designer who can help you “see” your project before you get in over your head. Don’t just base decisions on pictures that look “perfect.” Know how the materials you want to use perform and work before you purchase and install. Try things out (products, layout, etc.) before you move forward. Research the products. Ask those in the industry for advice. Look at (and smell!) other spaces that utilize the same products to confirm if you like them or not. Know the possible maintenance and upkeep involved for certain material selections. The more you plan, the better the end result.
Most people can’t do everything they want all at once. You have to select which part of your overall project you want to tackle first, and so on. Is having a functional kitchen more important than a room addition? Or does your growing family need the extra space? Make your decision wisely.
Get it done right. Having to constantly fix or repair things that weren’t done right to begin with is a waste of your time and money. Get it done in a timely manner. Having a project extend longer than it should only causes unneeded stress and prohibits you from reaching your other goals. Get the right people involved. If you’re confident you can do it yourself and aren’t lawfully required to hire a licensed contractor for your project, great. Otherwise, hire professionals who are licensed, insured, and have the reputation to get it done to proper code and quality. You get what you pay — or don’t pay — for.
You can learn more about Victory Builders at victorybuilt.com.
