Frequently Answered Questions 1

1. What is the difference between "remodeling", "renovation" and "home improvement"?
These are terms with overlapping meaning. I take "remodeling" and "renovation" to mean remaking existing space, as opposed to adding on a room. "Home improvement" is an even broader term, that could refer to anything from painting a room to adding a second floor.return
2. How definite should I be when I contact you?
Come with some ideas. But beware information overload! There is a time to broaden your options, and then comes the time to narrow your choices. Bring some photos of what you want. But mostly be clear about your intentions. Do you intend to build or not? That is the question you must settle. And the other responsible parties must be in agreement with you. return
3. Do you do free estimates?
Yes, with a qualification. I offer a free ballpark cost based on square foot data. A real estimate requires the sort of time I can't offer for free. See HERE for more discussion. return
4. How much will a remodeling project disrupt our life?
Depends on the project. Additions tend to be less disruptive, because they can be contained from the occupied house. Remodeling kitchens and baths can turn your life upside. Remodeling bedrooms can be challenging. There are work-arounds, like improvising a temporary kitchen. Renovation is like much in life: things get worse before they get better. return
5. How much of my investment will I recoup when I sell my house?
Minor kitchen and bath remodels generally pay back better then major remodels. Your realtor can also help answer this question. return
6. Isn't it dangerous to customize my home too much?
You live there. Make it home for you and your family. Exercise common sense, though. Perhaps your family doesn't take baths. But removing all the tubs and install showers is not a wise move. When in doubt, ask a realtor or 2. return
7. Can I do some of the work?
Yes, but it creates confusion about what you are responsible for and what I am responsible for. And it usually delays the schedule. Sometimes it makes sense. You doing the painting can work pretty well. Cleanup and demolition work well for some clients to do themselves. return
8. Can I buy materials to save on the cost?
Every time I let clients provide materials I swear I will never do it again! As with you doing some of the work, this muddies the waters of responsibilty. Yes, you save the cost of my markup. But that markup is one of the ways you pay me for my time on your project. And if you buy the materials and a box of the tile is damaged, the tile man waits for you to go get another one. His "meter" is running, so the delay may cost you more then your saving. return
9. Do you use quality materials?
Buy cheap, and what do you get? Yes, I use quality materials from responsible suppliers. You have items you want to splurge on, and others you economize on. Framing materials is not the place to scrimp! My job is to help you know where to save, and where saving a few dollars now will cost you in the long run. return
10. How do you choose subcontractors?
Usually subcontractors come by way of recommendation from other contractors I know. They must be trustworthy people you are comfortable having in your home and excellent at their craft. Subs are required to have liability insurance. return
11. Will my work be done by employees or subcontractors?
The project team is made up of subcontractors. These are men and women who work for themselves or for a small company. Using subcontractors gives us the flexibility necessary to put together the best possible team to complete your project. And they want to do good work so I will hire them for the next project. return
12. What sort of projects do you do?
Our repertoire includes a large addition/screen porch, garage conversion, second floor bump-up, large multi-level deck, screen porch conversion to a sunroom, a specialized lighting installation, 2 story detached garage, master suite addition/whole-house remodel, bathroom remodels, and kitchen remodels. return
13. Any projects you don't do?
We don't do projects where we are asked to do substandard work, which would be a violation of our fundamental values. And we cannot do a project where we are not able to establish a trusting, professional relationship with the client. return
14. Do you do handyman-type repairs?
For really small projects (less than $300) I would probably refer you to someone who just does handiman work. return
15. Can you finance my project?
I prefer that you secure funding. I can recommend lending sources. return
16. Do you accept credit cards?
No credit cards, yet. return
17. Do I need an architect?
If you feel the need for an architect design your project, we will help you find one. If the look you want is beyond our expertise, we will refer you to an architect. But we have a growing list of clients who are quite happy with our design work. return

Remodeling an Existing Area?


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Frequently Answered Questions 2

18. Are you qualified to design my addition?
Browse our PORTFOLIO and decide. As to legalities, we hire licensed Professional Engineer (PE) to do the structural design work. return
19. How long will my project take to complete?
We as a culture are used to things happening instantly. So construction projects can seem to take a long time. Time required for your project depends on factors like availability of materials/labor, changes, complexity of the project, and weather. return
20. Are you insured?
Absolutely. And so are our subs. return
21. Are you licensed?
A business license? Yes. Contractor's license? Not yet. Until then, I partner with a couple other licensed contractors. No, that doesn't cost you extra. return
22. How far are you willing to drive to do my project?
We work in the Raleigh-Durham area of North Carolina. return
23. I'm on a tight budget. Should I call you?
I can work with a tight budget. An unrealistic budget I cannot help you with. return
24. I plan a very upscale project. Are you comfortable with such a project?
We are very comfortable working with folks who expect the very best. Tasteful, understated elegance is what we do best. return
25. What are your specialties?
In terms of style, tasteful, understated elegance is what we do best. We work well with clients who have a good conceptual sense of what they want. return
26. Can I be closely involved in the design?
We love for clients to be involved in the design process. In design conferences in person or by phone, we confer with you about the latest design iteration. This can be done "live", in front of the laptop, making real-time changes to drawings so that you can make choices as we work. return
27. Who will I deal with from Reconstruct?
Mostly with Duff McAdams, the owner. return
28. Who will supervise my project?
Duff McAdams, the owner. If he ever goes on vacation, you would still be able to call him. But he would introduce you to the "substitute" who will supervise your project while he is away. return
29. Do you work on a fixed-price basis?
Normally I do not work on a fixed price basis, as a courtesy to both of us. Otherwise, I would have to pad the price to cover any eventuality, or write a change order every time you ask me to even slightly deviate from the plans. I do provide a detailed estimate that clearly shows the planned scope of work. Final costs are consistently within 10% of that estimate, apart from work you add to the project. return
30. I am shopping for the lowest bid. Should I call you?
Probably not. return
31. What happens when I change my mind in the middle of a project?
Not "if" but "when"! Changes are inevitable, but they are expensive. So I work with you before the hammers come out to make as many decisions as possible. But when changes arise, we discuss the resulting costs in money and time. Major changes are documented and agreed on before execution. return
32. Who will I call to report a problem during my project?
Duff McAdams, the chief cook and bottle-washer. He manages the projects, so you will see him on the job every day there is a trade at work. return
33. Do you build new homes?
No, at least for now. I do build stand-alone structures like garages. return
34. Is this a good time to remodel?
Of course! But what to spend your money on does change. HERE'S THE DATA from 2007 showing how much you can expect to recoup from various projects when you sell. return

Your Renovation Resources


Remodeling an Existing Area?

Adding on?



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Frequently Answered Questions 3

35. How long have you been remodeling homes?
Duff has worked in construction since Before that it was a life-long avocation for him. He started RECONSTRUCT in 1999. return
36. Do you do any commercial work?
We have done office upfits. We can handle suspended tile ceilings, metal stud work, and prefab partition walls. return
37. What warranty do you offer?
Standard warranty is 1 year from date of service. We warranty workmanship, while the manufacturer warranties materials and fixtures. return
38. Can I hire you to consult with me about a project?
Duff can be hired on a consulting basis, normally for an hourly fee. return
39. Do you do green building?
We am learning those techniques, and will use all that fit with your priorities and budget. Reducing waste has always been a priority. return
40. Do you take on difficult or unusual projects?
We specialize in unusual projects. But be advised: it is expensive to innovate and experiment. And there are limits. The building code is one limit, and we take it very seriously. return
41. At what point must I commit to do a project?
You must normally commit to a pre-construction contract before we do a detailed estimate. The cost of this depends on the complexity of the project. return
42. Why should I call you instead of another builder?
You should call us because you and your project will be the most important one to us. And you will love what we build you! return
43. Are you a member of the HBA?
I am not a member of the HBA at this time, partly because dues contribute to their lobbying efforts. return
44. I am in the middle of a remodeling project, and I am ready to fire the contractor. Can you help me?
Depends. You can hire me to consult with you about the problems. But I will not take over your project until you have properly discharged the other contractor. return
45. Can you do repairs to my house to get it ready for sale?
I can help you get your house ready to sell. But if you are looking to do this as cheaply as possible, you should call someone else. return
46. Do you offer emergency services, like roof tarping or emergency board-ups?
I can arrange for emergency services, but you will need to pay me rather then waiting for your insurance company to do so. return
47. I have water damage. Can you work with my insurance company to do the restoration?
I have experience with water restoration and working with insurance companies. But I am not a specialist in this. return
48. I have fire damage. Can you work with my insurance company to do the restoration?
I have experience with fire restoration and working with insurance companies. But I am not a specialist in this. return
49. How quickly do you answer your phone and emails?
Phone calls are answered the same day, usually within 4 hours. Client calls are normally accepted immediately. Email will be generally answered by the next day. return
50. How large a project can you take on?
Largest project to date is $100,000, done in cooperation with RWS Construction. Many of our projects are 15-35,000. return
51. How small a project can I call you for?
Depends on workload at the time. Sometimes smaller projects can be scheduled. return

Your Renovation Resources


Remodeling an Existing Area?

Adding on?



Need more information?