Combining two staples of September: Renewed interest in home improvement and questions with tricky answers, the POP QUIZ series returns!
Questions could have more than one correct answer. Give it your best before scrolling down, good luck!
1. White walls will make a small space look bigger
a) Yes
b) No
c) Depends
d) Bigger is not always better
2. When a contractor is hired by, and paid by your Decorator or Home Stager who is responsible to be sure their insurance, certification and licensing is all adequate and current?
a) Client
b) Decorator/Stager
c) Contractor
d) Depends
e) All of the above
3. Expect to discuss and establish a budget at the first meeting with a Decorator or Home Stager
a) Yes
b) No
c) Kinda-sorta
d) Depends
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1. White walls CAN make an EMPTY room feel bigger. But with generously proportioned, or darker -colored furniture, the contrast against stark white walls will shrink a space. Color on a wall can actually make it feel bigger by balancing the visual weight of furniture, and by lessening the contrast, so the furniture recedes into the wall.
Last, bigger is an intellectual win. No one chooses to be in a space just because of it's big. Whatever size a space is, its the personality and energy that draws people in and makes them happy.
2. The first general right answer is 'it depends': It depends on the job or issue, on where you live, and the trade and commerce laws that govern your particular area. Some laws-like the EPA Lead Paint Act (for renovation, repair and painting) is a federal law. Most other laws and regulations are determined by a local municipality.
While not law, it'd be due diligence for any property owner to know what the law is, and to be that second set of eyes...the Better Business Bureau is a great resource; here are links to local county sites to get you going in the right direction:
In Westchester County, when money passes through one contractor to pay another (ie subcontractor) that makes the first contractor a GC, and responsible for all said compliance. Only exceptions are plumbers and electricians who always must carry their own insurance, even if they are working under someone else. The Refreshed Home functions as an advocate, will coordinate a project and offers free referrals to all her clients, but is not a GC. All contracts are between the property owner, and the contractor(s).
3. Yes...and No...Kinda-sorta, and It Depends, HA!
OK, money is no laughing matter, but each of these answers has some truth in in. YES>discuss. 'Establish'? maybe loosely....it depends on the project, and how sure and specific the client is.
The Refreshed Home takes a price-conscious, but not price-driven approach. Initial consults are interactive: an exploration, and an exchange of information, and cost should absolutely be part of that first conversation. They can be ballparked on a simple project, to help guide some of the decision process. Larger, more complicated projects, or those using a lot of materials (that could range greatly in price) need to invest time to further refine, and specify to get a reasonably accurate number.
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