FAQs

Get answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about remodeling.

Why should I choose PowerHouse?

PowerHouse is exceptional in the fact that we focus on our clients and their goals–how they want to live in their home and how they want it to look. We are good at empathisizing and space management. We step into our clients’ shoes and troubleshoot what they currently have and how they want to add functionality to live in their space. We want to transform existing space and build new more purposeful floorplans that homeowners love.

We offer a complimentary  discovery process to decipher your vision and intent. First, we begin with a Discovery Call to discuss your project and provide a high-level estimate. Next, we visit your space, and assess the feasibility of your vision, then we provide a construction cost and a total project estimare.

As your designer or our designers assist with material selections, we generate graphics as needed, and explore your project in 3-D using our CAD system. Finally, we execute a retainer and a Letter of Intent to secure our time for further consultation and construction planning and permitting as needed.

Then we provide a Fixed Construction Cost with Design Budget placeholders, so you know exactly what to expect moving forward.

Our warranty is 24 months  from the final building inspection or completion of our work as defined by the  construction agreement. 

Design-remodel is a full-service approach to home remodeling that includes both the design and construction. The design-remodel/design-build approach tends to offer homeowners better efficiency, accountability, communication, and convenience for their home remodeling project.

Design-remodel is unique in that it offers an all-in-one, integrated approach to remodeling, billing, and warranty through a full-service General Contractor. Many remodelers specialize in a niche area or function as owner-operators without embedding other specialist into their process.

When you choose PowerHouse, your designer, estimator, project manager, and lead carpenter all work under the same roof. We communicate constantly, so the entire team is aligned and ready to respond quickly.

Our process creates a much smoother experience compared to coordinating between a separate architect and contractor during construction. The customer should benefit from enhanced communication, streamlined decision-making, and efficient timing. 

Having design and construction under one roof is more convenient and offers greater cost accountability. When the design team and construction crew work together, project cost can be estimated accurately during the design process, so there are no surprises when the time comes to start construction.

 
At PowerHouse, we’ve embraced design-remodel because it promotes accountability, efficiency, speed, quality, and collaboration — it creates more work and risk exposure for us but provides less stress for our clients.

We refer to our Total Home Solutions as Home Maintenance, the regular care of your home’s systems and structure to keep everything running smoothly and ultimately prevent costly repairs. From roof checks to remodeling, PowerHouse helps realtors, renters, and homeowners protect their investment with expert, year-round access to qualified craftsmen.

Our design process follows seven key milestones, all built on clear and open communication.

  1. Survey: Initial Design Meeting, where we learn about your goals, take measurements, and gather ideas.
  2. Schematic Design, we present initial floor plans with costs estimates.
  3. At the Letter of Intent Meeting, you’ll review  pricing and decide to move forward.
  4. 3-D renderings or blueprints at customer expense 
  5. The Construction Agreement covers current pricing as construction begins
  6. Material Shopping and Specifications refine every detail associated with the project.
  7. Change Orders list final decisions and corresponding prices.

Timelines may vary based on type of project, but our process ensures clarity, collaboration, and confidence every step of the way.

A master plan remodel is when you partner with a design-remodel company to break your whole house remodel ideas into separate construction phases. A good design-remodel firm will ensure those phases maximize your budget and save you from doing extra work. These phases are often spread out over several months.  A master plan doesn’t always have to be for a whole house remodel, we regularly master plan communities, developments or new construction projects. 

Prices vary widely depending on the area of the house being remodeled, the applicable building codes, the age of the house, and if any major structural alterations need to be done to the existing home to achieve the design goal.

We set a fixed budget once the design is finalized. Only major unforeseen conditions uncovered during construction could affect prices, and we typically have a contingency placeholder, but this is extremely rare. The only other way the budget would change would be if the client decides to change the design in a way that impacts the original plan after construction has begun.

A Project Manager is a project driver. They help get your project out of design, through permitting and smoothly into construction. They work with the entire production team to ensure your project is always moving forward. Not all projects require a Project Manager, it depends on the size and complexity of the project. 

In most cases, no. However, if we are remodeling every bathroom in the house, for instance, you may have to move out temporarily. That said, we provide a temporary kitchen if needed, and we can sometimes remodel baths one at a time so one is always available. We also try to minimize dust in your main living spaces.

We always ensure there is a separation in your home between the areas being worked on and the living spaces when your project starts. We do our best to keep dust and debris out of the living areas by putting up temporary dust barriers between spaces. 

If you work from home during your project, we will try to accommodate your schedule. We always recommend having open and honest communication with your production team to mitigate any potential issues.

Utility interruptions typically only happen a few times during the project. They are most common at the beginning of the project when the walls are open and we are running new wires and plumbing. Also, toward the end of the project during the trim phases. These interruptions typically only last for a few hours, we do our best to have all power and water restored each day before we leave the job site. 

This is a rare occurrence and only happened once since we’ve been in business. If you were to start the design process with us but then find a home for sale that meets your needs, that’s perfectly okay. We would just bill you for the design work that has been done, and your project will end there. If there is an open building permit, we would need to complete the work that we’ve started in order to close the permit.

All Contractors are not Created Equal

Contractors differ immensely from company to company. From licenses, expertises or specializations, material suppliers, craftsmen, standard finish vs customizations and upgrades impact your project price and delivery. Let’s talk about how to make the remodeling process easier.

Get expert remodelers, and know what to look for, and how to ensure a smooth project from start to finish.

LET'S TALK!
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