Find a contractor who can understand your intentions to renovate and who takes the time to listen to all your ideas. More important than judging a contractor by price is finding someone with whom you can build a good working relationship. Remember, people who renovate your home will be inside and around your house for an extended period of time.

Preliminary design process for a small renovation project will take about 2 to 3 months. That includes considering design options, fixtures to use, layout plans, lighting etc. Bigger projects will take 3 to 5 months to plan and prepare. Small bath renovations take 3 to 4 weeks. Average kitchen renovations take 6 to 10 weeks. Building a small and simple addition can be done in 3 months. The average size addition will take 4 to 6 months to build. Large renovations or 2nd story additions 6 to 10 months.

• Ask to see similar projects done by the contractor you’re interviewing

• Request a list of references that you can contact to ask about their experience working with this contractor

• Find out about their design process

• Learn about the pre-construction process like permitting and pre-construction meetings

• Ask how the construction process is supervised, who the subcontractors are, and how the project will be finalized

Design-build firms, such as our own, can generate designs that will work with a predetermined budget. As the design changes, the cost can be easily adjusted. Because design-build firms are experienced in construction, they are better at understanding money-saving design options that can be incorporated early on. Projects designed by an architect usually contain themes and features that reflect a specific style or theme. If you are considering many different design options that require a more complex design process, using an architect can be helpful. Be sure to contact us early in the design process as we have many cost saving ideas to be incorporated.