But I Don't HAVE $20,000!!

So you're looking around your house and thinking how ugly and run-down the kitchen looks, how hideous that bathroom tile has always been, how that carpet has got to go. And really, what were the previous owners thinking with that wall color?

Ugh. Well, maybe you could do a remodel. You've been saving for a little while, and this house could definitely use a pick-me-up...

You go online to start checking prices and . . . WHAT??!! $20,000 to remodel a kitchen?! $30,000 for a bathroom?! You don't have that kind of money!

Ok, let's break this down: (click these links to see a complete breakdown of typical costs in the Cincinnati Metro area)  Kitchens and  Bathrooms are big projects! There's all that hardware, tile, and cabinetry, not to mention plumbers, electricians, carpenters, labor, etc. You understand that those things cost money, and that´s ok, but here's the bottom line:

You don't have $20,000!

Breathe. Relax. Aiva can help.

Here´s something very important that you should know.

Cutting Costs Is Not the Same as Cutting Corners

This is what truly sets Aiva apart from the competition:

1. Overhead costs - There is no need for a big office space or fancy showroom. Aiva believes that it is not fair to pass those costs on to the clients, and after all, this project is for your home, so AIVA COMES TO YOU. It is so much more practical to see first-hand the possibilities of a space and get ideas for specific issues. Every house, every client, is different, so you get customized solutions for YOUR needs, at a much more inexpensive price.

2. Relationships with Suppliers and Contractors - Having worked in the contracting industry for 4 years, Linda (Aiva´s owner and president) is not only an expert on a vast array of projects (see Remodels) that she does with an impeccable attention to detail, she also has contacts in every related industry - contractors, plumbers, electricians, carpenters, installers of tiling, floors, countertops. She knows who can do the job well for the best value, and she can pass the savings on to her clients. 

3. The 3 R´s - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Perhaps you don´t need to tear down a room and rebuild it to get the look you want. Maybe you could reface those cabinets, refinish that floor, or paint that old armoire. Maybe exactly what you need is being sold in perfect condition after being salvaged from other houses. And possibly what you are taking out could be sold the same way. Aiva knows all the smartest and least expensive ways to make a space beautiful and is passionate about getting you the most for your money. It is top quality products and less waste for less money.

4. Savvy Shopping - The perfect piece for your living room is out there. The ideal furniture for your bedroom is available. . . somewhere. But you don´t know where or when or how much. Luckily, Aiva does. There is always a vision for your design, and knowing where to find the best deals and the best pieces can make that vision come together for far less than you imagined. Again, we are not talking about cheap and low-quality, we are talking about new, well-made, and stylish products for less money, and Aiva knows how.

Aiva will work with you, your needs and your budget, and use her knowledge and experience to figure out the best way you can get the look and feel you want for your home for the budget you have.

And another note on quality: You´ve probably experienced it at one time or another, the previous owners or the contractors that built your house cut corners right and left to get the place sold. Maybe you end up replacing hardware here and there, or maybe you find out that a shoddy job by whoever they hired is costing you tens of thousands to fix years later.

Aiva prides itself on attention to detail and pleasing its clients (see Testimonials), and promises that every part of your design and remodel will be done with the utmost care and high-quality products at the lowest prices possible.

You do deserve a beautiful home, and although that can´t be free, Aiva can get you the best value for your money, along with the personalized attention and itemized pricing so that you know that each dollar you spend is unquestionably worth it. 

Remodel the Stress, Don't Stress the Remodel

Remodeling is notorious for its roller coaster effect. Whether you have been through the remodeling process before, or you are new to it, you are probably approaching the construction phase with anxiety and anticipation. 

Becoming aware of the remodeling stages and how they can affect you will help prepare you for the slow times. Understand that each project is different and there will always be challenges and unknowns that cannot be addressed until walls start to come down. It is our job to prevent any unforeseen challenges by bringing potential issues to your attention before they happen.

Up to this point, you have signed a deal, met with the designers to layout your space, and pick out materials and finishes. This is a very exciting time as your project comes together on paper. At this point, you have a lot of excitement and anticipation moving into the construction phase.

The construction phase can be divided into 6 basic phases: plan approval, demolition, framing, electrical and plumbing rough in, drywall, and finish out. Some phases will move fast, while others will seem to drag on for days.

The plan phase can be both exciting and a hassle. As you wait in anticipation for you project to kick off, this might seem like precious time wasted. However, it is necessary to begin any remodeling project.

Demo, the first phase of construction, is dusty, loud and inconvenient. There will be people you do not know coming through your front door so they can tear down your space and rebuild it. Depending on the size of your project, there may be piles of debris and a dumpster on site. At this point, you will feel like the inside of your home is completely exposed. We understand this can be unsettling and we expect our crews to respect your space. We will prep your home to keep from damaging the areas not being remodeled. Protective flooring through the main traffic areas and plastic sheets at construction entries will help control the dust and grime.

Fortunately, demo goes by very quickly along with the cleanup of all of the excess debris. The next phase, the framing stage, is when you get to start to see your space come alive. This is the first high point in the process.

Once framing is complete, the plumbing, electrical and mechanical work will start. It is at this point that the project will seem to slow down. You will not be able to see dramatic differences to the space like you do during demolition and framing. However, know that a lot of detail goes into this phase and it is a necessary step to ensure your space will function correctly. It is critical that plumbing and electrical be complete before insulation and dry wall go up.

The next phase is drywall, which most people find to be exciting. Once drywall is up, the room begins to take shape and you start to imagine yourself functioning in the space.

The final phase, the finish out phase, will seem slow. It is in this phase that painting, installation of doors and windows, installation of tile, cabinets, flooring, appliances, plumbing and lighting fixtures occur. It requires quite a bit of time to complete each part fully and you will be anxious to start using your space. Towards the end of this stage, we will do a punch-out list. Once each of these are addressed, the remodeling phase is over and you have a new and beautiful room.

There is no doubt about it, remodeling will be stressful. There will be times when you will question what you have gotten yourself into, but once everything is complete and you see the dramatic transformation, it will be worth the time and stress. We will do our best to be proactive and move as quickly and efficiently through each process without sacrificing quality.