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Several Charlotte homeowners recently faced needless renovation dilemmas. One wanted to build an addition over a section of his existing home. When a friend "in the know" told him the current structure couldn't support the weight and thus would not be feasible, he abandoned those plans – which an experienced contractor easily could have executed successfully. Another client started planning a kitchen renovation, but their initial plans had not included several key changes that should have been made. If they had pursued those plans, they would have been very disappointed, because that design would not have maximized their investment or the room's functionality. As these clients and many others discover, working with an experienced design/build professional makes all the difference in your results. They can improve something as simple as a small bathroom remodel with innovative design ideas that often don't add that much to the cost of the project.

Here's why: A full-service, design/build company brings a big-picture vision to your project while also keeping a keenly focused eye on the details. They design, manage and build your project from scratch – taking you from start to finish. This eliminates the "middle man" – which in most cases ends up being the homeowner – who traditionally goes back and forth between design professionals, contractors and project managers, who may be speaking completely different languages.

If you've ever looked at construction drawings on a piece of paper and then walked through the finished project, you know how vastly different the three-dimensional version can be. A good design/build contractor with diversified experience can efficiently design and then work with those plans – or in some cases, your architect's – to truly bring your concepts to life. Drawing upon his experience of what has worked in the field during previous projects, he can offer suggestions or alterations that make all the difference. Instead of just building "to plan," a design/build firm is going to ensure that the plan will work on all levels – structural, aesthetic, functional and budgetary. They'll suggest changes like making certain that windows are symmetrically placed to improve a traditional home's façade or relocating a fireplace to open up a room addition, improve a view, or make sure the TV placement flows with the seating area. When they work with an interior designer, as we at Palmer Custom Builders do, they'll ensure that the homeowner's existing or new furniture not only fits into the new space, but also functions well in its designated area, so that each room ultimately works in the intended manner.

A full-service, design/build company also adds value by making sure that the project has a defined scope from the very beginning. There's nothing more heartbreaking to a homeowner than working with an architect to create the perfect plan and then discovering that the cost of building that plan far exceeds their budget. By marrying the design and its practical implementation from the very beginning, a design/build firm creates a project that not only works, but works within the client's budget. Since they have an overall understanding of the scope of work, construction costs and your priorities, they can look at selections line by line, keeping in mind the big picture and how each choice impacts that vision. In the end, the marriage of a grand-scale vision and the laser-focused implementation of its details that a full-service design/build firm brings results in a project that looks exactly as you envision and functions as you require. No matter what the scale of your project – from the smallest renovation to building a new home, a full-service, design build company takes a project from inception to completion – and in the end it shows!

It’s not often that you have the opportunity to do something good for someone else while protecting the environment and saving money at the same time. Yet by working with a remodeling contractor who has a strong working relationship with Habitat for Humanity, you really can accomplish all of those goals and more.

As part of its efforts to raise funds to build Habitat Homes, the organization created ReStores, which accept and then resell donated materials, with all of their profits benefitting build projects. Along with furniture, home décor and other household items, the ReStores accept new and used building materials, such as doors, windows, light fixtures, plumbing, trim, cabinets, appliances, flooring, insulation, etc.

How does that relate to a renovation project? Oftentimes, homeowners will choose to undertake a project like a kitchen renovation to improve the function, flow and appearance of their space. That sometimes entails replacing serviceable, yet outdated in appearance, appliances, cabinets and fixtures.

By working with a contractor who can coordinate the orderly deconstruction of the space and the subsequent donation of these elements to Habitat for Humanity, homeowners can do a good deed that reaps them considerable rewards.

Here’s how the process would work on a typical kitchen renovation. As we approach the demolition phase of an applicable project, we would work closely with Habitat for Humanity to coordinate deconstruction. Habitat would then team with us as a subcontractor, carrying the required Workers Compensation and Liability Insurance. Their team would carefully go in and remove existing kitchen cabinets, outdated but functional appliances, and other fixtures that would be appropriate for resale at one of the local Charlotte ReStores.

This benefits the homeowner in several ways. On an altruistic level, you are giving construction materials to people who need them and who otherwise may not be able to afford a necessary change. It also allows you to “go green” by repurposing these materials by getting them into the hands of someone who can use them instead of merely throwing them in a landfill.

On a financial level, many homeowners want to do something good for the environment, but fear that it will cost them more – this is actually a way to save green while going green. Here’s why: It offers a significant savings on the costs of demolition and disposal. (Just think of how many dumpster loads of materials you won’t have to pay to remove, depending on the size of the project.) Finally, it allows you as the homeowner to receive a tax-write-off for your charitable contribution (consult your accountant for specifics on your personal tax situation).

With so many benefits, working with a contractor who has a relationship with Habitat for Humanity can help you save dollars while making sense for the environment and people in need. “Last year, the Charlotte ReStores raised enough money to build 12 complete Habitat homes,” notes Donation Manager Tim Murphy.