Maybe remodeling is what you need to give your home a transformation. This can be an uncomfortable and stressful process, but with the right organization you can carry it out. In Coral Gables, this can be particularly taxing, especially if the project entails any structural work. The structural reviewers in Coral Gables are known to ask for a great deal of information. This is not a problem as long as you use the right Coral Gables architect and a structural engineer who is familiar with the process.
These are the 4 stages you must follow to have a successful remodeling:
Planning and Preliminaries for Remodel in Coral Gables
1. Preliminaries and feasibility of the project: What do you want to do? Will this create a more functional home? Can you remodel it the way you are thinking? Do you have the right budget for what you want to do? Will you be remodeling the outside of the house, say changing the facade?
Planning and designing: After deciding on what you want remodeled or the addition you want to add, you must hire an architect, preferably an architecture firm with offices in Coral Gables, who will help you plan how it will be done. In turn, the architect will hire engineers who will work with him/her on some of the technical aspects, such as electrical, structural, plumbing, and air-conditioning.
Coral Gables Board of Architects
For any changes to the outside of the house, you must submit your plans to the Board of Architects for review. This may take additional time and/or money. Recently, I finished the construction documents for two additions and remodeling in Coral Gables. We had to submit before and after site plans, floor plans, and elevation studies. In addition, we also had to submit a survey and color renderings. Then, we had to submit 2 large 24" x 36" sets and 10 small 11" x 17" sets, all in color. After we submitted the plans, we had to prepare a digital (PowerPoint) presentation. I spoke to the man in charge of the Board of Architects recently and he says they are testing the process of just having the digital presentations. This would be great because the printing for each project cost about $300.
For larger projects, the board requires that a sign be posted on the property letting your neighbors know that you will be remodeling your exterior. The owner is expected to install the sign that the board gives them and then take photos of it and submit them digitally to the board. This process allows your neighbors to know about and comment on your project, if they have an issue with what you are planning.
I am happy to report that both of my projects were approved the first time.
Construction Documents
2. Once the Board of Architects approves the preliminary plans, the architects will start working on the actual construction documents with the engineers. This will take a 2 or 3 months to complete. The owner must participate in the process. There are many decisions to be made. For example, I laid out all the electrical outlets, lights, and switches in the remodeling or addition. This is something I will work on together with the client. I may think that lights and switches should be in certain places, but may the owner has a better idea. So it is a joint process to come to the best layout.
Building Department Review
3. Once the plans are finished, they are submitted to the Building Department (BD) for review. The BD will normally have comments. The architect/engineer will modify the plans to comply with any issues that the BD reviews bring up. When the review is completed and all the comments are answered, the BD will issue a permit to the general contractor of your choice. He must have a license, insurance, and be registered with the city.
Hiring a General Contractor
4. Hiring a good contractor: Look for a contractor that will offer you good quality at a good price and is licensed. Don't hire an unlicensed contractor. Try to find a contractor who is familiar with the rules of the City of Coral Gables and is familiar with their inspection process. Get recommendations and look at his/her work on other projects. You can read about hiring a contractor here: https://www.unitedarchitectsinc.com/hiring-a-contractor
When you have researched your contractor and obtained recommendations on him/her, made the right selection, and gotten the permit, you can begin to execute the construction of the remodeling.
Contact Information
Remodeling is not something that can be done every day, so when you decide to do it, you should make the most of it, to avoid other changes in the near future. If you want to speak to us about your home remodeling or addition, call us at 305-439-7898 or email me at MLC@UntiedArchs.com We are Miami architects conveniently located in Coral Gables, ready to help you with your remodeling and/or addition.
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