How we work
Every project follows the same five steps, with one project lead looking after you from the first visit to the final walkthrough. Here’s what happens at each one, how long it takes, and what you get.
- About an hour
Step 01
Free walkthrough
- You
- Show us around and tell us what you’re hoping for, what bugs you about the space now, and your rough budget.
- We
- Look at the space, measure up, check what we can behind the walls, and talk through options and ballpark costs.
- You get
- Straight answers on the spot, including whether we’re the right fit for the job.
- Within 5 business days
Step 02
Written estimate
- You
- Read it, ask about anything, and change what you like. Revisions are free.
- We
- Price every line of labor and material, spell out what’s included and what isn’t, and set allowances for the things you’ll choose later.
- You get
- A written, fixed-price estimate within five business days of the visit, good for 30 days.
- 2–8 weeks
Step 03
Plans & permits
- You
- Pick your finishes with us, sign the contract, and pay the small deposit that holds your start date.
- We
- Finish the drawings, order long-lead items like windows and cabinets, and apply for the permits your project needs.
- You get
- A start date, a week-by-week schedule, and a finishes list with everything already on order.
- 3 weeks to 8 months
Step 04
Build
- You
- Answer the questions on Friday’s update, and pay for each stage once it’s finished.
- We
- Protect your floors and seal off the dust, run the crew and the trades, sweep up every day, and book every inspection.
- You get
- A written update with photos every Friday: what got done, what’s next, and anything we need you to decide.
- On the last day
Step 05
Final walkthrough
- You
- Walk the finished space with us and point out anything that isn’t right.
- We
- Fix everything on the punch list, clean top to bottom, and hand over warranties, manuals and paint colors.
- You get
- A finished project, with the last 10% due only once the punch list is done, and two years of warranty on our work.
Costs & payments
What it costs, and how you pay
Free estimates
The walkthrough and the written estimate cost nothing, and you’re under no obligation.
A fixed price
Labor and materials priced line by line. Allowances cover what you’ll pick later; spend less and the difference comes back to you.
Paid as work is done
A small deposit holds your start date. Then you pay as each stage is finished, never ahead of the work, and the last 10% after the final walkthrough.
Changes in writing
Change your mind halfway through? You see the price of the change, in writing, before we do it.
FAQ
Questions we hear a lot
Do you work in my area?
Put your ZIP code in the estimate form and we’ll tell you in our first reply. If your home is outside the area we cover, we’ll say so straight away rather than stretch our crew thin.
Can we stay at home during the remodel?
Usually, yes. Most clients stay home through kitchen and bathroom remodels: we seal off the work area, keep the rest of the house clean, and set up a temporary kitchen while yours is out. For whole-home projects we talk it through at the walkthrough, and plan the work in phases if you’re staying.
How do allowances work?
Some things you’ll choose later, like tile or light fixtures. Your estimate sets a clear budget for each one. Pick something that costs less and the difference comes off your bill; pick something that costs more and you see the difference before you commit.
Will my project need a permit?
Additions, moved walls, and new plumbing or wiring usually do. Your estimate lists the permits your project needs, the schedule allows for them, and we’re there for every inspection.
Our house is old. Is that a problem?
Not at all; older houses are a big part of what we do. If yours was built before 1978, its paint may contain lead, so we test before we sand, cut or scrape it. And if we open a wall and find a surprise, we stop, show you, and price the fix before we go on.
How do payments work?
A small deposit holds your start date: never more than 10%, and less where state law says so. After that you pay as each stage is finished, never ahead of the work. The last 10% is due after the final walkthrough, once everything on the punch list is done.
What does the warranty cover?
Our workmanship, for two years from the final walkthrough: if something we built fails, we come back and fix it at no cost to you. Appliances and fixtures also carry their makers’ warranties, and we’ll help you with those claims.
Can I buy some of the materials myself?
Often, yes. Just tell us at the walkthrough. We’re happy to install fixtures you’ve bought; our warranty then covers the installation, and the product is covered by its maker.
Ready when you are.