Your All-Inclusive Destination for Philly Kitchen Renovations

In an urban area like Philadelphia, kitchen remodeling can be a real challenge. There are plenty of pitfalls, like the quirky nature of our aging housing stock and the complex permitting and inspections process.

Fortunately, homeowners can relax and press the easy button for their renovation projects by working with a full-service remodeling firm like Bellweather Design-Build. 

An All-Inclusive Remodeling Experience

Some of our clients have described our approach as "turn-key" because of our supportive process, but we sometimes joke about our version of design-build as an "all-inclusive renovation experience". Working with a professional design-build firm is a lot like booking a stay on a new island at an all-inclusive resort, versus reserving a DIY style Airbnb. The two may be located on the same island, but your experience and satisfaction will be dramatically different. 

You may have access to all of the same views but we all know what it's like to plan a vacation to an unfamiliar place. There are 2 questions to ask yourself:

1. How much time do you have to learn everything you need to know?

2. Are you willing to live with your mistakes?

The regret that most homeowners end up with is this: They can decide not to go back to that island next year, but they can't so easily ignore their kitchen design and execution mistakes.

The Single Contract Advantage

Just like a well planned vacation at an all-inclusive resort, the design-build remodeling experience presents the best options and amenities within a single contract for an established price. The full service designer serves as your guide navigating through unlimited options with a limited budget. A seasoned team  delivers your entire design-build experience to help reduce your stress and avoid mistakes through a single contract with a professional firm.

From your initial layout concepts and material selections, all the way to moving back into your newly renovated space, the all-inclusive design-build experience is a seamless, streamlined process. When design and construction are completed by the same great team, you can have lasting satisfaction and enjoyment.

Drawbacks of the 'Airbnb' or Design - Bid Approach

Similar to some intrepid travelers who enjoy planning their own vacations, some homeowners have the time and interest to be more hands-on in planning and managing their projects. They may work with a kitchen designer or architect first to create architectural drawings, then bid the work out to a general contractor or multiple subcontractors, and then complete the simple task of purchasing their own kitchen appliances, tile and plumbing & electrical fixtures. In this scenario all of these costs just keep adding up until you're finished or you simply run out of money.

This Airbnb-style approach to remodeling leaves homeowners alone to figure out a lot of unfamiliar terrain on their own. For the adventurous of spirit, this gamble can be an exciting prospect - until things start to go wrong. A few pitfalls include mistakes in selecting service providers, mis-ordering products, and scheduling errors.  These types of mistakes are not only expensive to correct, they result in significant production delays.

Even experienced contractors, plumbers and electricians make mistakes in the kitchen renovation process, particularly if they don't have a system and a team to manage everything. Without professional construction management advice, it's difficult to guarantee the performance and timing coordination of subcontractors and materials.

Many times, the end result for homeowners who elect to pursue this design - bid approach is a kitchen project that fails to meet expectations, takes longer to complete and costs the same amount that a design-build firm would have charged. The emotional impact on your family is also worth considering. When a major kitchen renovation goes badly it's often because the homeowner did not take the time to assess the risks and do the research. Think twice before jumping into a DIY solution. For more information on a comparison of costs for different approaches, try reading this blog.

Like Travel Insurance, Warranties Provide Peace of Mind

Another important benefit of the design-build process at Bellweather is a two-year, limited warranty. We stand behind the quality of our craftsmanship and work closely with our Philadelphia area clients to ensure their satisfaction with our work, long after the project has been completed. Like a great travel guide service, we rely on word of mouth referrals to grow our business. This means that your kitchen renovation experience is our absolute priority.

When you choose Bellweather Design Build for your remodel or addition, you can rest assured that you are placing your home in the hands of professionals who will work hard to ensure your satisfaction at every step. In fact, many of our clients trust us so much that they go on vacation while we take care of their renovations!