Are you considering a bathroom remodel? Have you been wondering what factors affect the cost of a remodel?

What drives the cost of a bathroom remodel? What will cause costs to increase? How can you keep cost down?

Today we are going to do a deep dive into the factors that drive the cost of a bathroom remodel!

Are you getting ready to remodel your bathroom? Do you have questions about the building process? Are you wondering how the work will progress?

What is the sequence of tasks in a construction project? How will the remodeling work progress? Should the plumbers do their work before the electricians? Or, does the electrical work come first? How do you know which tasks come first, and which come last?

Let’s walk through the workflow of a typical bathroom remodel, and get you some answers!

If we go to the internet, we will learn that there is a process for how you are “supposed to” hire a contractor. While some of the steps in this process seem to make sense, many don’t seem very convenient for a busy homeowner.

What is the process contractors use to complete renovations? Where did this process originate? Was it created to meet the homeowner's needs, or someone else’s needs? Are there better ways of doing it?

Lumber mills use “clear”, knot-free lumber when they are making moldings or small trim boards. The problem with using clear lumber is that it comes at a premium price. If a mill can only use perfectly clear, knot-free boards, they will have to pay a premium for them because those boards are relatively uncommon.

Do you have any other options for your project? Is there a better alternative to clear trim boards?

It seems like there are million different kinds of home improvement contractors. There are general contractors, subcontractors, trade contractors, remodeling contractors, plumbing contractors, painting contractors, tile contractors, etc., etc. You get what I’m saying. 

The task of sorting through the industry jargon and figuring out which type of contractor you need for your project can be frustrating for new and veteran homeowners alike. What does it all mean? Who does what? And, who do you need to hire for your project?

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?

Have you ever reviewed a quote or invoice from a contractor and noticed a markup on the building materials? Did you wonder why that extra charge was there? Maybe you even thought to yourself, "Is this really necessary?"

It’s totally understandable to question whether that markup is justified. After all, it feels like it’s just extra money added on top without any real benefit. But is there more to it than just the price difference?

Before jumping to conclusions, let’s take a closer look at what that markup buys you and why it might actually be saving you more than you realize. When we’re done, you will have the information you need to decide whether paying a markup makes sense or if you should be exploring other options.

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.