You won’t be surprised to hear that “how much will my remodel cost?” is one of the most frequently asked questions we get! So when we saw this remodeling pricing analogy shared by one of our trusted contractor colleagues (Ben at Blue Sound Construction) we just HAD to share!

Pricing is a complex subject. Here’s how to think about it.

How much do cars cost? The obvious answer is that it depends. You’ll pay way more for a Tesla Roadster than for a Toyota Camry. That’s no surprise to anyone.

Then why do some people think that a remodeler should be able to estimate an unseen project over the phone or by email? The answer is that the Internet says they can. There are plenty of sites that will give you an average price for a new kitchen, a bath remodel, or a deck. The problem is that “average” prices aren’t very meaningful.

(Side note from the Seriously Happy team – if you want to see some of those “average” prices, check out this remodeling blog. Now back to Ben… 😀 )

Of course, there are plenty of companies that offer fixed-price replacement services for things like cabinet faces and windows, and some that advertise kitchen remodels at set prices. These companies do the same work over and over, so they can do it cheaply and quickly. The downside is that you won’t have many product options to choose from and will have to work within the existing floor plan.

Being efficient and not wasting time or money are values you should expect of any company. At the same time, however, full-service remodeling is an entirely different business than replacement contracting. A custom remodel is one of the world’s last great hand-crafted products; everything about it needs to satisfy your individual wants and needs.

The full-service remodeler’s job is to help you fulfill a very personal vision for your home. You can get any floor plan changes, architectural features, or products that you want, providing they fit your budget. The bottom-line cost will ultimately depend on your choices.

Given the complexity of this work, no full-service remodeler will quote hard pricing over the phone before getting more information. Doing so would risk misleading the client. Instead, the remodeler needs to inspect the house and ask a lot of questions.

How much demolition, if any, will the job require? Do you want to remove an existing ceiling to create a vault? Do you want stock cabinets or something more unique? Do you prefer a traditional look with intricate moldings or a modern, minimalistic feel? What are your quality and style expectations when it comes to plumbing and lighting fixtures? What type of flooring do you want? Will you live in the home during the remodel and, if so, when can work start and stop each day?

The list goes on and on…

You can see how complicated this is! That car analogy is the perfect example of why, just like until you know what kind of car you’re trying to buy, no one can tell you how much that car is going to be, likewise, until a remodeler knows a LOT more about the kitchen or bath of your dreams, they really can’t tell you if you’re looking at a $40,000 or a $400,000 remodel.

Even if they’ll come out for a site visit, many contractors won’t give you prices without a complete design plan. That is where we come in! We’d love to chat over Zoom through our Design Helpline service to help you strategize your upcoming project!

A big thank you to Ben at Blue Sound for sharing this very helpful analogy!

May your home always be happy!