Mason,

I have a small (1400 sf) old Cape. There is a wall with a double-door opening that separates the living room from a small sunroom. Around the corner from that, there is a tiny bathroom and corridor that separates that sunroom from the kitchen. I'd really like to remove the wall and the bathroom and open the whole space up. My question is, what are the factors that need to be considered to do this and keep my house from falling down? I hear the term "load bearing wall" and don't really know how to tell. And, what if it is? Can I still open up the space? 

This clearly is a job for a pro

Mason:

What are the three best questions that a homeowner can ask when trying to choose a design/build firm and why?

Evan

 

Evan,

I appreciate your question... naturally, finding a good "fit" between yourself and a building / remodeling partner is the first and most important key to a successful project experience.

Take a look back at my archived post "On Selecting a Contractor" (August 2007).  There, we talk about achieving a level of comfort with the prospective contractor, his reputation, people and processes.  All of this applies regardless of any particular delivery system.

The search for a

I am quite certain that all of our readers have seen an article on this at some time or another.  Every source will have some different “take” on it.  So here it is from this contractor’s perspective.

 

First, let me say that my firm does NOT try to be everything to everybody.  Just because it’s a repair or remodeling job, we don’t necessarily think we should be your contractor.  We’re looking for a “good fit” between us, our prospective client, and the project and process they have in mind.  I think that the client should be looking for the same.  If everyone is honest with each other in that