What people ask before they hire us.

Because a good drawing takes real hours, and it is what lets us give you a price we can hold. The fee ($1,500 for a bathroom, $2,500 for a kitchen or basement) is credited in full to the build if you go ahead, and the drawings are yours either way.

Only if you change the scope, or if we open a wall and find something we flagged in the quote, such as rot or old wiring. Those items have a unit price written into the quote before work starts, so you know the cost of a surprise in advance.

A deposit when you sign, then payments at stages of work: demolition done, inspection passed, cabinets or tile in, and the final payment after the deficiency list is closed.

Usually two to four months from the first call to demolition. Most of that is design, permits and ordering, which is what lets the on-site part go to plan.

Your Friday update says so the same week, with the reason and the new date. If the delay is ours, we also tell you how we'll make the time up.

For moving plumbing, removing or changing a load-bearing wall, adding a bedroom or a window, and most basement finishing, yes. Swapping cabinets in place usually doesn't. We tell you which during design and pull the permit where it's required.

We do. Their fee is a line in your quote, and their drawings go in with the permit application.

Most people do. We help you set up a temporary kitchen with the fridge, microwave and a kettle, and seal the work area off with dust walls and a zippered door.

No. Most clients give us a lockbox code. We work Monday to Friday, 7:30 to 4:30, and the site is swept before we leave.

No. We don't build new custom homes. For a new build we can pass along the names of builders we know.

No. Roofing is its own trade with its own crews and insurance. We're happy to suggest a roofer if you need one.

Generally not. We take on projects we design and build, because that's how we can stand behind the schedule and the price.