The Luxury Collective DC Team worked with long-time clients to renovate their DC rowhouse to maximize their profits when listing it for sale in 2021.  What seemed like a straightforward renovation had a few unexpected detours and delays, but the end project was what The Luxury Collective DC team is all about:  Luxury at any price point.  The initial meeting in March 2021 with John pointed to an as-is list price of just over $800,000, but the sellers decided they were willing to renovate extensively to realize a much higher sale price. 

Issues to Address

This home had issues to address to achieve the higher sales price desired, and The Luxury Collective DC worked with the sellers to plan to address these issues:

• The kitchen layout was not ideal, with a dropped ceiling making it feel even tighter.
• There was a large primary bedroom, but no private primary bath, and not enough closet space available. 
• The secondary bedrooms and secondary bathroom also needed some attention to detail to make the most of the space. 
• The basement needed updating, including the bathroom. 
• The rear sitting room was such a walkthrough space that it was hard to use as a living space.
• The deck, porch, and front walk all needed to be cleaned and painted. 

Could the team address all these problems and give the buyers some much sought-after luxurious finishes? 

The Plan

The sellers decided to work with Frank of P&G Construction with an initial budget of $150,000.  They decided to:

• switch the location of the kitchen and dining room and add a large island, new cabinetry, and new appliances
• remove the arched doorways on the main level to create a more modern, open floor plan
• re-open the original door and window openings to bring natural light into the dining area
• open up the odd doorway in one secondary bedroom and add additional closet space, and add a new closet and glass door for additional light in the other bedroom
• completely renovate all bathrooms
• close the rear door and replace one smaller window with two larger windows
• update and renovate the primary suite and add a private primary bathroom and additional closet space
• new flooring throughout – hardwood on upper levels, LVP in basement
• renovate and update the basement, including kitchen and bathroom
• clean up exterior front and rear, including front porch and sidewalk, deck, and paint exterior a new gray color

Frank’s team started the demolition phase of the project, and they immediately uncovered structural concerns that would need to be addressed at additional expense and, almost as costly, time.   While the sellers were not excited about the over-runs, they knew that a structurally sound home was necessary.  P&G worked with architects and inspectors to add a new structural support system to create a safe living space. 

The Process

The team was hands on, providing their signature White Glove Service so the sellers didn’t have to leave Virginia to meet any vendors in Washington, DC – such a relief for these working-from-home parents.  The team worked with Frank and the sellers to source the best deals of fixtures and finishes.  Trevor worked with MidSouth Building Supply to help design the new kitchen with large island.  The team sourced vanities online, carefully timing deliveries to reduce vendor’s waiting time.  During the pandemic, appliances were a major part of the supply chain delays, but careful shopping found quality appliances in stock locally for delivery. They found reasonably priced quality tile and bathroom fixtures, both online and locally sourced. 

The Results

In the end, the home turned out truly beautiful, with the staging provided by the team adding the final touches for the professional photography.  They successfully addressed the concerns mentioned above and brought in a new modern style to a house that is nearly 100 years old, with a final cost of just over $200,000.  

This home went under contract in 19 days for a full price offer of $1,135,000.  The entire project took 7 months, and the result is both timeless and priceless:  A welcoming new home for a family. 

The team is very proud of this extreme renovation.  Frank of P&G Construction worked hard to maximize the potential of this home.  Now it is ready for another generation of Washingtonians and maybe another 100 years of use.  Good investment!