Home Remodeling Frequently Asked Questions

An estimate is summary for the preliminary scope of work that a contractor discusses with a potential client within the Discovery stage of a project. After an initial Site Visit and consultation, the contractor will create a rough estimate without the final fixed bids from subcontractors and prior to final design and material selections being made by the client. Typically the estimate is within 10% up or down for the Final Fixed Bid price. A Final Fixed Bid requires all the design and product decions from the client as well as Final Fixed Bids from all involved subcontractors including architects, structural engineers, plumbers, electctricians, etc.

Our downpayment is a percentage of the total project amount paid during the planning stage of the project and the mounts vary from 35% to 50% depending on how much of the total overall budget is allocated to materials and subcontractors. The downpayment amount is used to purchase the necessary materials from our vendors, pay a 50% booking fee to secure a place in our subcontractors project pipeline and a budget for two weeks of in-house labor.

A full gut kitchen project will typically take 4 months of planning andaproject management and then 6-8 weeks of execution from the project construction start date. A good way to think about it is to secure a contractor at least 6 months before you’d like your kitchen to be complete.

There are a multiple moving parts and steps within the project timeline that are described below and influence each other depending on a variety of factors. Keep in mind the complexity and size of the project can change the timeline described below.

1. Typically it takes 4-8 weeks to finalize all layout, design and product decisions. This may take longer if there are structural changes that require architectural drawings and a licensed Oregon Structural engineer stamp of approval.

2. Apply for permits with the architectural drawings. The permit process takes between 4-6 weeks. During this waiting period we simultaneously schedule and receive Final Fixed Bid from our subcontractors which typically takes 2 weeks.

   NOTE: Kitchen projects that do not require any structural changes only will require the necessary trade permits, reducing wait times on receiving architectural drawings and building permits with the city.

3. Once the project is permitted, cabinets will be ordered. Custom cabinets have a 8-12 weeks lead time from the time of order delivery.

Properly install floor protection and a dust containment structure that will be in place from the beginning to the end of the project to ensure the minimization of dust reaching anywhere outside the actual project area being remodeled.

We have a few architects that we have developed relationships with over the Years that we typically refer to our new clients to in order to streamline the project timeline, but we are happy to work with new architects or interior designers that our clients have already contracted with.

Our payment terms are simple and provide peace of mind for our clients. We charge in the following sequence:

1. A $5,000 booking fee to schedule your project into our annual project pipeline

2. We charge a 35% to 50% depending on how much of the total overall budget is allocated to materials and subcontractors. The downpayment amount is used to purchase the necessary materials from our vendors, pay a 50% booking fee to secure a place in our subcontractors project pipeline and a budget for two weeks of in-house labor.

3. Progress Payments are scheduled every 2 weeks for the duration of the project construction.

4. The final payment is paid after the homeowner receives proof of all completed inspections from the city and the project is complete.