Today marks the first day of Spring- the season of renewal and new life. As the natural world starts to revive and greenery begins to grow, there is a sense of newness in the air. Many people take this time to do some Spring cleaning and freshen up their space, and what better way to do just that than to get started on that home project you’ve been thinking about all winter? Whether it’s a new kitchen, updated guest bathroom, or a completely new addition, Spring brings the perfect inspiration to start fresh!
Even though it’s tempting to wait until the last minute when it comes to a home project, we would highly encourage you to plan in advance so that when you truly are ready to order and install, all the leg work is already done.
Why Plan in Advance?
With any home project, it always seems like there ends up being more steps that weren’t foreseen. Even if you’re just trying to paint a bedroom one afternoon, it’s easy to forget how long it takes at the hardware store deciding on a paint color, prepping the room with tape and tarps, and the second trip to the hardware store once you realize you forgot to buy a trim brush or ran out of paint. So, while the actual act of painting only took a few hours at most, all the planning and preparation took much longer.
The same can be said for a larger project such as a kitchen remodel. You might think it’d be easy to completely redo your kitchen before the end of the summer because that’s several months away. While that might be completely doable, it does depend on a variety of factors. For example, what is your contractors schedule look like? Can they get to your project right away or will it be a few weeks? Do you have a vacation planned the week that your designer wants to meet with you? Is the farmhouse sink you love on backorder? Did the flooring option get discontinued so now we need to switch up the cabinet color and restart the design? These are just some of the many unforeseen obstacles that can occasionally push back an install date. If that seems stressful, don’t be discouraged- simply allow yourself more time than you think you need to begin the planning process so that you can accommodate for any potential bumps in the road should you run into them.
When Should I Actually Start Planning?
If you are gearing up for a remodel or construction is beginning on your home, we typically recommend starting the design process at least a season before you want to complete your project. For example, if you’re hoping to complete a project this summer, now is the time to start! If you want your new kitchen done by the holiday season, make sure you start in the summer. Obviously this can vary depending on the type of project, but generally it’s a good idea to start as early as possible. Since our cabinetry is custom made, it takes time (as good design and quality craftsmanship should). For reference, our current custom cabinetry lead time is around 18 weeks right now from order date. Checking in with your contractors, vendors, and designers to see what their schedule is like is always a good idea before you set your expectations on a specific turnaround time.
What Should I Expect from the Design Process?
While the design process may vary from project to project, there’s a few things you can expect if you work with our team at Gravel Lane Design. After your initial contact with us (by phone, email, or in-person), we will collect some info about you and your project so that we can pair you with one of our designers. From there, they will get in touch with you to set up a consultation to start going over project details and get an idea of what you’re looking for. They will get measurements of your space, help you choose materials and colors, design a layout, and provide you with renderings so you can picture what the final design will look like. Once the design is approved, they will submit the plans for ordering and coordinate delivery dates. If you have any questions or concerns throughout the process, your designer is your go-to contact. We pride ourselves in providing exceptional customer service with a family-like experience.
Got your next home project in mind and want to make sure you’re prepped and planned? Start gathering some inspo and contact one of our designers. From there we can get measurements, talk design ideas, provide you with 3D renderings like the one above, and have your project details all prepped and ready to order.
Not sure if you’re ready to start home construction yet but interested in what Gravel Lane has to offer? Stop by our showroom in Eureka, IL to browse samples and explore ideas. We’re happy to let you look around and get a glimpse into what we can do for you and your home without any pressure. If you’d like a more one-on-one personalized experience, feel free to give us a call and make an appointment.
We can’t wait to see what the next season of home improvements brings!
