What can a homeowner do to ensure that they have a good remodeling experience?

A lot of homeowners feel like they are at the mercy of their contractor. They feel like they have no control over the outcome of their project. So, they hope that the contractor they hire will do a good job and attend to their needs, and they pray that the outcome of their project won’t be another horror story.

What causes a construction project to go wrong? What can be done to keep a construction project from going bad? What are a homeowner’s responsibilities in a construction project? What are the contractor’s responsibilities in the project?

When a homeowner is planning a home improvement project, there are a lot of decisions that need to be made. Every single decision will affect their budget, either positively or negatively.

How can a homeowner know if they can afford the project if they have to spend months designing it and choosing all of the materials before they can learn what it will cost? Is that what a material allowance is for?

When are material allowances used in a construction project? What are the advantages of material allowances? What are the disadvantages of using material allowances? Should I sign a contract that has material allowances in it?

Our company recently installed engineered vinyl tile flooring for a client in Dover, NH. The project came out beautifully, and our client was thrilled to be able to enjoy her new kitchen floor.

What was involved in this flooring project? What is the workflow like in a flooring project? How much does it cost to replace flooring?

Anyone who has completed a home improvement project can tell you that remodeling is not for the faint of heart! It is an emotional rollercoaster. Unfortunately, most of us (contractors) aren’t as forthcoming as we should be in preparing our clients for the difficulties that lie ahead. Many homeowners get started on their projects without a complete understanding of what they are about to endure.

What should you expect when you are remodeling your home? What emotions can you expect to experience during a remodeling project? What can you do to reduce stress during a remodel?

There are a few different methods of pricing a service. It is important to know which method a contractor will be using so that you can make an educated buying decision.

The real question, however, is which method is better: time and materials, cost-plus, or fixed price? What does each of these terms mean? What are the advantages of each? What are the disadvantages of each? Which is the best method for your project?

The terms “builder-grade”, “quality-grade”, and “high-end” are thrown around quite a bit when building products are being discussed.

What do these terms mean? What are builder-grade products? What are high-end products? What are quality-grade products? What are the differences between these products? What grade of building materials should you use in your project?

Are you thinking of having a building or remodeling project done? Are you wondering what you need to do in order to get your project going? Do you just need to talk to some contractors about what needs to be done? Is the process that simple, or is there more to it? How can you prepare for your project?

When a person looks at an estimate or invoice and it includes a markup on materials, they may feel like the company they are working with is inflating the price without providing any value in return.

Why do contractors charge a markup on materials? Is a markup on materials a profit margin that is added for no good reason? What does a material markup pay for? Should you agree to pay a markup on building materials?

Contractors and homeowners alike often use the words “estimate”, “quote”, “bid” & sometimes even “budget” interchangeably, and this leads to a lot of confusion and misunderstanding. What do all these terms mean? Do they all mean the same thing? What is the difference between an estimate, a quote, and a bid? Which one should you ask your contractor for?

There are a lot of factors to consider when you are remodeling your home. One consideration is how the improvements will affect your home’s value.

How will a building project affect your home’s value? Do some projects have a better return on investment than others? Which remodeling projects will increase your home’s resale value the most? Should you consider some of these projects for your home?

Are you unsure about where your kitchen or bathroom fixtures and accessories are supposed to go? Are there industry standards that dictate the placement of these items? What are these standards? Would it be okay if you wanted to put some of these items in a different place?

Contrary to what most of us (contractors) will tell you, there is no such thing as the best contractor in the area. There is no best car, best smartphone, or best meal either. Everyone is different, and we all have different needs, desires, and preferences. So the best choice of car, smartphone, or meal for one person isn’t the best choice for someone else. The choice of contractors is no different.

Home improvement projects come in many different shapes and sizes. Prices vary greatly based on many factors, including project scope, materials specifications, and project location. While it may be impossible to estimate the exact cost of a project without considering all of the variables, we can still look at similar projects to get an idea of what typical projects cost.

How much can you expect to invest in a kitchen remodel? How much does a bathroom remodel cost? What would built-ins cost? How much does it cost to hire a carpenter for a project?

There are a thousand things that can break a construction budget in the blink of an eye.

How can you make sure your construction project stays on budget? What factors cause construction costs to increase? Can these factors be controlled? What can you do to keep your project on budget?

How long can you expect your remodeling project to take? What factors will affect a construction timeline? What is a reasonable timeline for a bathroom remodel? What is a good timeline for a kitchen renovation? How long do built-in cabinets take?