Sometimes it’s easier to describe why and how a project can go wrong, rather than what happens when it runs smoothly. For all the homeowners now looking into remodeling their homes, please read this precautionary tale.

A Huntington Harbor couple wanted to add a second story to their home—a huge undertaking, especially since the existing foundation was very dated and old. In order to save money, the clients decided to do a few things themselves, like taking on certain finishing selections, such as their wood, stone and landscaping work. Most homeowners can certainly take control of these items, especially if they have sufficient experience, in order to cut costs. The clients also started off on the right track by hiring an Owners’ Representative to help guide them through the remodeling process.

Right off the bat, their Owners’ Representative Shelia Kuhn helped them negotiate with their general contractor and their architect. At that point, however, the clients decided that, in order to save money, they were able take on the project themselves, and subsequently dismissed Kuhn.

Now on their own, moving forward on the project proved to be more difficult than the couple anticipated, and they began encountering problems. Without any experience in the building industry, the clients found that they had no plan or direction in which to take the remodeling. There was no one to coordinate the project or to provide guidance on material selections and deadlines. Soon the couple found themselves frustrated and at a standstill, and—even worse—finding it difficult to get motivated and back on track.

Due to their lack of planning, the couple faced expensive change orders, all of which could have been easily avoided.

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Beautiful indoor/outdoor spaces were created for this Corona Del Mar home

There is no better place in the world that embodies an indoor and outdoor living style than Southern California.  From beach homes to modernist spaces, California has perfected the intertwining of indoor and outdoor living.  One of D&S Kuhn’s latest projects was on a custom home out in Corona Del Mar whose owners also sought to transform their property into a spacious and elegant home that would allow their family to enjoy both indoor and outdoor living.

The homeowners knew they had set an aggressive budget and, by engaging the services of Owner’s Representative Shelia Kuhn at the start of the project, knew they had hired the right person to help them stay within it. Kuhn assisted the homeowners in developing a strategic plan for building their dream home, an essential part of home construction often overlooked. Readmore…