LARGE FAMILY, small space

ima25

Tue, Jun 09 2009, 1:15 am

I am not looking to throw away stuff, and not to store stuff, but to create space where there ain't. Really, I need someone to come in and re-layout the walls in my home so to create more ROOMS if not more ROOM.

I am not sure a professional organizer is what I need; Julie morganstern wants $350 just to look at the place, then $150 an hour more to do anything.

I just need my plans approved, or to have me locked up in the loony bin for thinking it will make me more sane...

Anybody good, really good, with layout?

louche

Tue, Jun 09 2009, 10:32 am

You're right, if you want to remodel as opposed to just reorganize, a professional organizer is not what you need. You need a professional architect who can tell you which walls are non weight-bearing and can be moved or removed, and which are weight-bearing and have to stay.

I also recommend an architect because she will be able to give you more ideas about remodeling. Breaking up your space by putting in more walls may actually create the opposite effect to what you want, unless your issue is that you have sons and daughters sharing bedrooms and you have to separate them. Your ideas may be great, but architects have the experience to know what works and what doesn't, both visually and practically.

Architects don't come cheap, either, but in the long run it's worth hiring one. Remodeling is a big investment and you want to do it right. "Someone who's good with layout" doesn't cut it.

BTW I am not, nor am I married to, related to or employed by an architect. This info comes from friends who have remodeled houses and apartments, some with and some without the help of an architect.