At the Intersection of Art, Architecture & Design

How to avoid financial pitfalls in home remodeling – part 1

It’s frustrating — to say the least– when you receive wildly different price quotes for what you think is the same work. This article is about how to compare estimates when you’ve provided the contractor a drawing of what you want.

What does it cost to renovate a kitchen? I’ve had 3-4 contacts within the past few weeks from homeowners who wish to renovate their kitchens for budgets ranging from $15,000 to $25,000. In their words, they want to gut their kitchens and replace everything from cabinets to lighting to flooring.

This blog is half rant and half advice about how to evaluate bids from remodeling contractors.

Thoughts about ways to keep kitchen remodeling costs down.

Remodeling is expensive! There’s just no getting around it. There are 3 main factors that drive price: Size, Complexity & Finish Level. We’ll look at each briefly and then also look at ways to minimize the effect of each.

The more planning that goes into the project, the more accurately you can estimate the costs and stay within the projected cost.

Since I’m in the construction business I’m often asked about the importance of licensing. Friends read articles that say the only way to protect oneself is to use a licensed contractor. But the painter or handyman that’s been recommended isn’t licensed, is it safe to hire him?

The homeowner’s decisions about finishes, appliances, and details account for more than 50% of the costs in almost every remodeling job.

This article is about what you should expect from a remodeling contractor and how to use their references to discover what you need to know before you sign a contract.