Dirk Dallas: what I wish I knew before starting my home project

See how the tastemaker transformed a Michigan ranch home into a bright and airy retreat “like something you’d see in L.A.”

dirk dallas image with home improvement images with andersen window products

Whether you’re building or remodeling, major home projects can come with major stress. With timelines, managing contractors, ever expanding budgets and lead times, the process comes with so many variables it can be hard to navigate.

Dirk Dallas, designer, filmmaker, photographer and the founder of FromWhereIDrone recently built his family’s dream home in California. Dirk chronicled the process on OurModernDwelling and features the ups and downs that came with his build.

We sat down with Dirk to get his thoughts on what he wishes he knew before starting his project, to save you the stress.

Swipe or click through our Q&A below!

two people looking through framed construction of large patio door

What are the steps you would advise a homeowner to take when planning their remodel or build?

Do your research! Spend as much time as possible to get a clear picture of what you might be getting into. This can include interviewing others who have done something similar, reading relevant books/blogs/magazines, or following home building or renovation accounts on social media.

Form a solid team. You will need a great architect/draftsman, contractor, and engineer. Make sure they have proven records and are willing to be accessible, communicative and collaborative with one another.

Have realistic expectations. Sometimes social media, magazines or even some TV shows can make this process feel so dreamy and surreal but there is real work that needs to go into an endeavor like this. So make sure to have realistic expectations that hopefully allow your team to either meet your expectations or over-deliver on them.

child kneeling in front of new construction home with black framed andersen windows

What has been your biggest challenge when building or renovating?

The biggest challenge for us was to constantly be patient and prepared to problem solve.

Whether that was something related to our vision, budget or timeline, being a problem-solver was key to completing our project.

three people on construction site looking through opening of framed window at sunset

What is one takeaway you would tell others as they begin their own project?

Always add extra time and money to any of your expectations for the project. That doesn’t mean you need to share those details with your construction crew but it could save you from the unexpected surprises, delays, overages, and disappointments that big building projects can have.

Second, know your why. It will be helpful to remind yourself why you started the project in the first place. Sometimes it can be hard to remember why you embarked on something that requires a lot from you when things don’t seem to be going right.

close up view of white kitchen with black framed window

How did you balance high and low-end products in your space?

While the upfront cost for higher quality products is usually more costly, we found there is added value and cost savings in the long run. Paying particular attention to areas that would increase our home’s value was also important since there are some areas where a higher quality product might make a bigger difference than other areas. For example, high-end bathroom fixtures won’t significantly affect home value like high-quality windows from Andersen or premium appliances.

As we searched for all of the products for our home, we found that higher quality products often came with more advantages like proven track records, better warranties, GreenGuard certifications and exceptional customer service, just to name a few.

construction guy working on installing Andersen window on new construction

How important was choosing a contractor you could trust and why?

I highly recommend you physically visit at least three of the contractor’s completed projects. This will help you make sure their craftsmanship is up to your liking and will allow you to interview their previous clients.

You should be able to ask their previous clients:
• How was the process working with the contractor from beginning to end?
• Was the contractor available and easy to communicate with?
• Was the project completed on time and to the agreed specifications? (If not, why, and how could that have been prevented?)
• Was the project completed on budget? (If not, why, and how could that have been prevented?)

Big building projects can take longer, and cost more than originally planned so the point isn’t to just find out what reality vs. expectations were, although that is very important. It’s more about finding out what the process was like with the contractor when problems and concerns arose. Addressing the suggestions above should give you a clear idea of what you might expect on your project.

Bonus tip

cropped view of black frame patio door opening to outside

How did you decide where to spend / save?

When it came to choosing products we considered three things: (1) our budget (2) the amount of usage the product would get (3) our goals. In the very early planning stages, we made a list of goals that were important to us and then organized that list starting with things that were absolute must-haves down to things that would be nice to have.

Some of our top priorities were maximizing our lake views, having an open floor plan to encourage togetherness, and building a kitchen ready for entertaining and cooking daily meals for our family. When it came time to purchase a product, we would find what we loved and then consider how it would fit in our budget and if it would help us meet our priorities. We chose higher-end products on things like appliances, flooring, 100 Series windows and E-Series doors from Andersen and then went with lower-end, but still good quality products on things like bathroom vanities, mirrors and plumbing fixtures.