How to choose materials for your home remodel

Photo credit: HomeAdvisor.com

If you're doing a home remodel, the fun part doesn't happen until you finally get to start choosing the materials that will be used to finish the space. Each room is unique and should be treated so, but there are some standard guidelines for successfully choosing your materials. As a General Contractor specializing in home remodeling throughout the Eugene-Springfield area, we can help you through this process and match you up with the necessary vendors and suppliers.

1. Choose your theme
When you walk through your home, is there an overall theme? Or, is every space unique? Either approach is just fine, but you'll want to make sure you have harmony between spaces so that the overall home feels cohesive and welcoming. When a home is broken up in style, it can feel jarring and uncomfortable. Whether this will be your forever home, or if you plan to sell your home someday, this is something you will want to consider.

2. Identify the main focal point
Every room should have a central focal point that serves as the inspiration for everything else in the space. This focal point item is the one thing to splurge on and to get exactly as you want it. Then, when it comes to the other elements for the space, you are better able to make 'yes/no' choices because the items either work with the main focal point or they don't. And, with lesser important materials, you have more freedom to substitute with less expensive options because they're not the main draw of attention.

3. Shop, shop, shop
Your general contractor will be able to match your wishlist with known vendors and suppliers, but it is okay to shop for the best prices. But, when you do this, keep these two things in mind: Make sure your contractor helps you with the ordering, so you get the correct amount, measurements, etc. and make sure your contractor is comfortable/able to work with the materials you are ordering. You might save a few dollars shopping independently, but if you need to hire a specialist to do the installation, your savings will be long gone.

4. Be flexible
In the material selection process, be prepared to be flexible. You very well may run into items being on back order, a supplier not having enough of what you want, etc. You'll need to work with your contractor on what's more important... having a particular model of sink and risk running into overage costs for putting the project behind schedule, or making a compromise for a similar sink and staying on track. There's not a right or wrong here. It's just something to be prepared for so everyone can be on the same page and schedules adjusted accordingly.