The New Year is fast upon us, and based on our new-client calls, a common resolution appears to be a remodeling/renovation project. We often work with clients who have a vision for their whole home but want only a smaller renovation now. That typically has us making accommodations in Phase 1 for work that may happen in Phase 2. This is becoming more the norm than the exception, and planning ahead is always a good idea.
In general, renovations often planned in sequential phases are bathrooms, kitchens, and basement or attic space remodels. First, we will develop a whole-house plan together, and then break off what we will do in a given phase.
If we are remodeling a kitchen and bath and the client would like to have a third-floor or basement bath at some point, we will incorporate the plumbing and electrical (to the extent possible) in all the floors, walls, or ceiling so we do not have to open up the finished space again. Plumbing vents and supply and drain lines can all be set in place and tied into the system for future phases.
If the homeowners are thinking about remodeling the attic in another phase, we will bring up an electrical subpanel to feed the new space. We have run line sets and power for future heat pumps inside walls in spaces slated for later work.
Speaking of heat pumps, whether for air conditioning or both heat and AC, they often require upgrading the electrical service coming into the home. The additional load of the heat pumps often means the homeowners need to upgrade to a 200-amp service. The electrician will have to work with their utility provider to do this. (This also affects clients who want to have a charging station for their electric car.) There are various rebates available for heat pump installation that can offset some of the service upgrade costs.
Clients looking to renovate and save energy often ask for solar panels. A third party contracted with the client designs and installs them, but we typically need to work with them to incorporate that into the remodel. If you’re living in a two- or three-family home, you may not think solar is an option, but the process is straightforward when all the owners are on board. The panels feed the power into the building’s public meter. Since the solar power generated will far exceed what the public meter uses, the excess will be sent into the grid, generating a credit with the utility company. The owners simply split the credit, regardless of who uses more electricity in their respective units. This saves money and provides carbon-free electricity into the grid, a win-win.
Renovating a home is all about planning, planning, and more planning. Spending the time upfront with your contractor and carefully considering the long-term plan for your house will save you time, money, and aggravation.
Mark Philben is the project development manager at Charlie Allen Renovations in Cambridge. Send your questions to [email protected]. Questions are subject to editing. Subscribe to the Globe’s free real estate newsletter — our weekly digest on buying, selling, and design — at Boston.com/address-newsletter. Follow us on X @globehomes.
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