FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Kitchen and bathroom remodeling costs vary widely depending on the size, finishes, and complexity of the project. Each remodel is specifically tailored to the owner’s needs and wants. Hence there really is no typical kitchen or bath remodel.

Generally, once we visit your home, discuss the particulars of what you want, and take some measurements and pictures, we can, within five days, provide you with a detailed preliminary cost analysis.

We believe there are issues that go beyond price when considering a remodel on your home. Certainly price is important. The fact is that you will be inviting the contractors, the employees of the contractor, and sub contractors into your home for a period of time from 4 to 12 weeks. You will not know nor have even met most of these folks. Yet, these trades’ people will have full access to your home. You are entrusting your money, your home, its contents and your family members to this group of people. With this in mind, we believe it makes more sense to check out the contractors' reputations with regard to cost control, property protection, completing the work in a reasonable time frame, site security, and communication.

Here are some questions we suggest that you review when thinking about a remodel:

Are you concerned about what makes up the contract amount and what the contractor’s overhead and profit mark up is?

Are you concerned about the time it will take to complete the project?

Are you concerned about security during and after the remodel?

Are you concerned about the quality of materials that go into your project and warranty issues?

Are you concerned about job site cleanliness, dust migration and protecting those areas of your home that will not be remodeled?

Are you concerned that the contract price will increase?

Are you concerned that the final product may not live up to your expectations?

Are you concerned that the contractor may fail to pay sub contractors and suppliers thereby creating liens on your property?

What will you do to ensure that the bidders will address all of these concerns?

We suggest that you call the last five clients for whom the contractor has worked.

Additionally, you might want to address each of the concerns and others you may have during your first meeting with prospective candidates.

Now, back to the question of cost. A recent survey by Remodeling Online provides the following general information:

• "The cost of remodeling your kitchen depends on current layout, size and condition of your room, as well as the quality of replacement products you prefer. According to an annual construction cost survey by Remodeling Online, a minor remodel of a 200-square-foot (10x20) kitchen averages $17,037-$19.366 nationwide; a mid-range major remodel including an island and other upgrades runs $50,860-$59,716; and an upscale remodel for the same size kitchen can be $103,529-$115,549. These are averages; actual costs may be higher or lower. "

For a bathroom remodel they offer this:

• "Remodeling costs vary widely depending on the shape and square footage of the existing room, whether walls or plumbing are moved, and the quality of materials used."
• "According to an annual construction cost survey by Remodeling Online, a mid-range remodel of a 5x7-foot bathroom averages $11,585-$14,889; for an upscale expansion of a 5x7 bathroom to 9x9-feet within the existing house footprint, costs run $35,111-$43,050. These are averages; actual costs may be higher or lower."

During these tough economic times it is tempting to take the lowest or a lower bid. Please be aware that many contractors find equally tempting to estimate low to get the job and hope they can make up the difference by charging extras. Some contractors are in such dire straits that they are failing to pay their workers, subs or suppliers. All of these approaches can cost you time, money and heartache. Buyer beware.

In all situations, the time to complete the project depends on the complexity, size, and scope of work. We provide a written schedule at the beginning of your project and each week email you an update along with our weekly invoice.

We ask for 10% at signing of the contract documents and then each Friday we will send an invoice for the work completed that week. The invoice is due and payable on the following Wednesday. For projects that take less than a week to complete, we ask for 10% at contract signing and then the final amount when the job is completed. In most cases, when ordering materials, there is some amount (usually 50% of materials costs) to be paid. You can pay this directly to the supplier.

You may have been contacted by us already, if not, give us a call or email us to set up an initial appointment to go over your needs. This first meeting usually takes 30 to 60 minutes. We take the data back to our office and, within 3 to 5 working days, we will provide you with a preliminary cost analysis. If the preliminary analysis meets with your approval and you want to move ahead, we will need to complete some kind of scaled drawing or a set of plans for your project depending on the complexity. In some cases, we can provide this drawing, and in others we will need to secure the services of one the designers with whom we work. Once the plans are completed, we can schedule a site meeting with the major sub contractors involved. When the subcontractors have submitted their bids, we will review the scope and confirm all materials and then provide you with a detailed fixed price. If you approve the final number we set a time to meet to sign the contract and pick up the start-up payment. Once the contract is signed and the down payment received we set a mutually acceptable start date and the project begins.

Yes, as a matter of fact, we encourage it. We do ask that you keep up with the agreed upon schedule. Since our bids are very detailed you know exactly what the net cost of each line item is. If we do not complete a line item, we credit that net amount back to the contract amount.

Yes, since we break each line item down, you know the net cost. We are happy to allow you to pay our subcontractors directly.