FAQs: Our Process (and More!)

1. What do I need to get started? 

When you’re getting started, some planning and research is a great place to start. What work do you want to be done? What’s your vision?

Of course, you’ll have some questions, and some things may need an expert option (which is why we’re here!), but the more things you have figured out, the smoother the process will be. 

Image: Pexels/Ketut Subiyanto

Another thing that’s great to get started on is financing. The process can take time, so getting started sooner rather than later is greatly helpful for your timeline. Of course, for certain projects, you need to have some price estimate to get proper financing, but even just starting the process can help speed up the beginning phases of the project.

Style ideas are also great! We’ll always appreciate a Pinterest board or Houzz ideabooks. They give us a great launching pad for entering design. 

Once you feel more researched and confident about your goals, reach out to us!

2. What does your process look like?

Step 1: Contact Us 

• If you want to start your process, reach out to us! We have a quick lead form on our website that you can fill out and send to us. Once we get all your information, we’ll give you a phone call to hear more details about your project and set up an in-person meeting.

Step 2: Preliminary Meeting 

• In the meeting, our designer and our estimator come and look at your project, take measurements, and figure out exactly what needs to be done. The meeting shouldn’t take more than an hour.

Step 3: Proposal Meeting

• After your first meeting, we’ll set up another meeting for you to get your quote (generally in 2-3 weeks depending on the size of your project). We’ll run you through your scope of work and your estimate, and you’ll get to see some preliminary plans.

Step 4: Design Phase 

• If you then decide to go with us, we’ll move you into the design phase. Here we’ll take you through a few-week process (up to about 6 weeks) that hammers through the design aspect of your project. You’ll work through your plan’s layout, electrical, cabinets, lighting, fixtures, materials, colors, and finishes. You’ll be directly working with our designer, Caitlin, through the whole process. 

Step 5: Preconstruction

• Once all of that is finished, you’ll be able to sign your final contract that truly begins the project. We’ll then begin to order materials and finalize the final things before we break ground on your project!

Step 6: Build!

3. What are your upfront costs?

We have 2 different upfront costs. They are both when you’re under contract. The initial meeting and quote are completely free of charge. 

When we enter our design phase we’ll have a small upfront fee to cover the price of our working hours during that time. That price is relative to the size of the job (4% of the job, between 2.5k-10k), and we’d let you know beforehand what that exact cost will be.

Once we enter preconstruction, we’ll have another upfront cost to foot the cost of the beginning preparations and product ordering. That charge starts at about 10% of the project, then there are additional upfront charges that some of our subs and wholesalers have for specialty items, like custom cabinets.

4. What about permits?

We handle all permits for any job that we do, so you don't have to worry about it!

5. Can I live in my house during renovations?

It entirely depends on the renovation. A smaller or isolated renovation would likely be fine,

but a whole home renovation would be more difficult. To accommodate that, we can do the home by rooms, making the process easier. Kitchen renovations are specifically difficult, as you’ll likely have to cook from whatever mobile appliances you’re able to wrangle up. No matter what you choose, we’ll work with you to accommodate whatever we can.

6. Is my project type one that you do regularly?

Our main focuses are whole-home renovations and additions, and we also do kitchen renovations. We’re also starting our foray into new home construction! What we don’t tend to do are small renovations like single bathrooms or handyman repair/installation jobs. There are also things that we’ll do as parts of a larger project, but we won’t do by themselves. This includes things like decks, sunrooms, and flooring installation. 

Why is that? Our business is structured to handle larger, very custom, high-end jobs. That makes it very difficult to price smaller jobs competitively—so we tend to not do those jobs.

7. Are you licensed or insured?

Yes, and yes. We can show you both by request.

8. Do we use subcontractors?

Image: Pexels/Pixabay

Yes, we do! We work with many other local businesses for things like flooring, roofing, and custom cabinetry. We act as the project manager, too, so you don’t have to worry about trying to manage multiple companies at once. 

9. What’s your warranty?

We offer a full one-year warranty for all work done. Additional warranties may be provided by products that we use—and we’ll make sure you have all that information and we’ll help you get those warranties. 

10. Renovate or add on?

There are many factors to consider when deciding whether you should add on or renovate your existing space. First of all, will your area allow an addition? Certain locations, especially urban areas, only allow a certain amount of house or pavement coverage per lot of land. Before you get too invested in any addition plans, make sure you’re able to take up that extra space.

Image: 1535 Renovation & Addition

Another question is if your house issues will be able to be solved with a renovation, or do you simply need more space? Sometimes fixing a bad layout or renovating existing areas may be the best way to make your house suit your needs. Other times, you may simply need more space. Do you know where you are?

There’s also a big budgetary difference for additions versus renovations. Additions need significantly more work—excavation, foundation, framing, all new electrical and HVAC—so they cost substantially more on average. Additions can give you a better return on your investment and they give you much more creative liberty, but it will require a higher budget. 

So, which one’s worth it? It depends on your unique situation. You are the one who has to weigh the costs and benefits of either option and decide for yourself. 

Are you looking for a contractor to renovate or add on to your home? Get a quote from us to jumpstart your process!