American homeowners know virtually nothing about how to properly remodel despite spending over $300 billion per year doing it! Well, that changes today!
Are you tackling remodelling or interested in taking on the challenge of remodelling in the future? Before you dive right in, make sure you take heart of today’s advice from the author of ‘Remodel! Without Going Bonkers or Broke’ Jim Molinelli. Jim, thanks for sparing some time to impart your remodelling wisdom and perhaps if you can even identify some of the main roadblocks in remodelling. To start, can you tell us about your journey in the world of remodelling, and what events motivated you to write this book?
I spent 35 years doing architectural designs for families that wanted to improve their homes and improve their lives. I saw how the process “can” work, and also how it can fail miserably. I wrote the book because far too many families were getting bad remodeling results, having bad experiences or being taken advantage of. Remodeling can be financially and emotionally one of the most rewarding processes ever when done properly. I wanted more people to be able to understand that, and achieve it. The public is totally naive when it comes to the remodeling process. That’s why you see so many companies preying on these families with TV ads and direct-mail, etc. I knew it was time to stop DOING and start teaching, helping, educating American families on HOW TO REMODEL. It’s a gigantic topic, but I’ve been doing it and teaching it for years. So with my experience in architecture and in remodeling, I brought it all to bear on this new book. I teach homeowners to properly prepare to remodel, and how to navigate the remodeling minefield to achieve successful results.
Wow, 35 years in the business. I imagine that you have an amazing wealth of stories from this period.
Over 35 years worth, yes!
During this time, what has been your primary role within the architectural design process?
I’m a licensed architect and a remodeler with 24 years experience. It absolutely trained me to know the right ways and the wrong ways to approach the remodeling process. I trust that comes through in the book.
In the book how did you try and communicate the right and wrong sides of the process without getting mired down in the nitty gritty details?
I wrote this as if we were having a conversation. It’s a long, detailed and potentially boring subject. So I needed it to remain interesting and informative. I used my natural humor and my real “voice” to try and make this as if we were sitting together doing question and answer.
Have you had any opportunities to sit down with others to really play out that conversation?
Actually, I’ll be taking the book topics to a web-based Master Class on remodeling this summer so people an hear and see in addition to reading how to best prepare for and proceed through the remodeling process.
This has to be one of my favourite things about the Internet. Not only can you share your experiences with others through eBooks, but you can also host online master classes to connect with others at an even deeper level without being constrained by time or space!
Now, instead of helping 15 families a year achieve great remodeling results, I can help thousands!
Helping thousands of people must really give you a solid level of satisfaction. So far, what have you felt has given you the most satisfaction from seeing this resource come to life?
The reviews. People get it. They feel empowered to take on this process with understanding and confidence. They now know what they want, and how they can achieve it.
What was is the greatest empowerment or understanding that you hope others take from the book?
You can absolutely know and avoid the three common mistakes that can destroy projects and usher in “horror-story” results.
Now that ‘Remodel’ has been published and you have seen readers find positive results, have you returned your focus to writing another remodelling or architectural resource?
I’m in process of creating the companion course for the book (to be released in May/June or 2017).
Good luck completing the course! I hope that it proves to be as successful as your book release. As your release has been very successful, I’d like to take a few minutes to focus about what processes led you to this positive result. How did you get yourself in writing frame of mind? Did you spend much time structuring what you wanted to say?
It took me 4 months to get the information out of my head and organized. It took 2 months to add the background and support information and polish it up into the book you have in your hands today.
That is a fairly quick timeline. Did you find yourself off task much? And if so, what helped you get through when you were struggling to write?
I moved on to another task that also needs doing. In writing a book there are SO MANY!
Was editing one of the many tasks that you carried out yourself?
I found the first self-edit to be illuminating. Reading the book to myself, OUT LOUD, made errors pop off the page and slap me in the face. It went slowly, but it was very effective. I also looked better to the editor when she finally got a hold on the draft!
*Laughs* I’m sure editors must see some shocking drafts, but I agree that it’s best not to scare your editor right off the bat! Did you find any music helped put you into the right headspace and perhaps reduce the error rate while writing?
Anything by NeedToBreathe
I’m not sure if I’m familiar with their work, but I will check them out. Do you have any tips for self-publishing success for other authors?
Build a small team of trusted people to read sections for content and with whom you can discuss ideas.
Speaking of ideas, if you’re up for it I’d love to move us onto the final round of the interview, the land of ideas both sane and not quite so sane, our quick fire round. Let’s get the ball rolling with: Do you have any philosophies that you live by?
Don’t look back. Don’t worry about assigning blame. Focus ahead, do your best to impact those things under your control.
Focus on what you can control. Very helpful. What is your favourite quote?
“Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.”
*Laughs* Never pass up the power of cannoli! Are you a valuable asset on a quiz team?
Maybe
It sounds like you might be underestimating yourself there. I’m sure you’d have at least a few fields of expertise to contribute. What is your zodiac sign?
Gemini
If you invented a monster what would it look like and what would you call it?
Panic monster… all jittery like electricity
Ooooh, that one sounds neat. I can kind of see it sparking electricity in my head too! What is your favourite ocean?
Caribbean
I hope you’re planning to do some pirate spotting in the Caribbean! Are you an introvert or extrovert?
Introvert with a few social skills.
As long as you have a few social skills you should be fine :). Have you ever danced in the rain?
Not danced, no.
If you ruled your own country, who would you get to write the national anthem?
Elton John or Paul McCartney
Elton John, now there’s a great choice! Are you left or right handed?
Right (only left-handed people are in their right minds)
How are the colours in rainbows made?
Refracted light
What color socks are you wearing?
Black
Do you have a ‘do not use’ or ‘most hated words’ list when you are writing?
Only some industry terms. The public misuses some terminology. But I don’t address that. This is not a chastisement book. I do, however, use the terms accurately in the book, and that may rub off.
What is your favourite flavor of ice-cream?
Malt dusted chocolate marshmallow swirl
Yum, very decadent choice there. What’s the most unusual name you’ve ever come across?
Junghie
Yep, that’s up there on my top list of strange names. What is your favourite line, quote or statement from your book?
You can’t get the right results when you select the wrong remodeler
What is your best tip for authors?
Perfect is the enemy of complete
What is your favourite word?
Peril
Is there a question that you haven’t been asked that you’d like to be, or anything that didn’t come up?
What would you do differently? Answer: Nothing. I’ve loved each and every step along the way. And I look forward to the next one.
Jim, thank you for sharing the steps that led to ‘Remodel! Without Going Bonkers or Broke’. I’m looking forward to your next work too. But before we see your next book, make sure to pick up a copy of ‘Remodel! Without Going Bonkers or Broke’.
Want to find out more about Jim Molinelli? Connect here!