FAQ

Have Questions About Your Upcoming Home Remodel?

Find the Answers You Need Here

If you’re like most people considering a home remodel, you want to know a few things about the process before you begin. At Roelofs Remodeling & Renovation, we are happy to answer your remodeling-related questions. Check out these FAQs and give us a call at (952) 512-0110 for more information!

What areas do you work in?

What is design/build remodeling?

Design/build means the firm that designs the project will also be the one that builds it. This combination creates both efficiency and economic benefits for you and for Roelofs Remodeling. Owner Jerry Roelofs and his team will consult with you, design the project, and oversee the construction process.

When you use the design/build process, designing and cost estimating are performed on parallel tracks and no time-consuming bidding is required.

Also, because the cost data influences the design objective, no time or money is lost in pursuing designs that exceed your budget. For example, subcontractors and suppliers are consulted throughout the design process, so we can be sure our designs meet their requirements while staying within your targeted costs.

Other benefits:

  • You work with only one person, who will follow your plans for the size, features, and finishes you want
  • You will build a confident relationship with the remodeler
  • You will be part of the creative team and build to fit your aspirations and the way you live

Why should we remodel?

There are any number of reasons to remodel.

  • Your home no longer fits your lifestyle or needs, but you don’t want to move
  • Your living arrangements have changed, or your children have moved out and it’s time to personalize your space
  • You’re inspired by remodeling done by a friend or by watching a home improvement show
  • Your kitchen or bath still look like something out of the 1970s
  • You’re thinking of selling your home and want to increase its value

How do we start the process?

Visit our gallery page to see what can be done, write down some ideas, and then schedule a consultation with us.

Once you contact us, we’ll meet with you in your home, which will allow us to get to know each other and give us a chance to look around your place. We’ll ask some important questions regarding any special needs you have, your budget and timeline, and your expectations.

To proceed, our next step together is to execute a project development agreement and create preliminary designs and cost estimates. The fee for this early work is based on the type and size of the project.

How much will it cost?

When we first meet with you, we’ll have a candid discussion regarding your budget and what investment you’re willing to make to achieve your goals. We can show you the costs of similar projects we have done, which will help you understand whether your expectations are realistic.

If we move forward with your project, we’ll create a target budget and then revise it as necessary to accommodate changes made at our design meetings. Once you agree to a project plan, a detailed fixed-price proposal will be given to you.

Drawing on our years of experience, we’re able to evaluate many design options and how they will affect your finished project and the final costs. We’ll do our best to find creative solutions that fit your expectations while remaining within your budget.

Ask us about our full disclosure contracts for complete transparency and increased confidence.

How long will it take?

There are so many variables involved in a remodeling project that it’s hard to say.

Firstly, sometimes the design and budgeting phase moves quickly and sometimes, because of the size and complexity of a project or your ability to focus and make decisions, it can take months just to agree on a basic plan.

Secondly, during the selection phase of the project, when specific materials and fixtures are chosen, the same time pressures apply. To move things along, we prefer that selections are made in earnest even while detailed plans and costs are being determined. To achieve that goal, we’ll give you some useful tools.

  • A selection sheet listing everything you must choose
  • Places and people to visit so you can make your selections
  • A timeline for making your decisions

If you want, we can go with you to assist in making your selections, or we can bring items to you for your approval.

Finally, during the construction phase and once all the design and selections decisions have been made, things can move smoothly. Over the years, we’ve developed a set of estimates based on our experiences.

  • KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS: Average construction time of 6 to 10 weeks.
  • ADDITIONS: Average construction time of 10 to 14 weeks.
  • DECKS AND PORCHES: Average construction time of 3 to 6 weeks.
  • LOWER LEVEL FINISHES: Average construction time of 6 to 10 weeks.
  • WHOLE-HOUSE MAKEOVERS: Average construction time of 20 to 28 weeks.

What will my house be worth when you are done?

The value of a remodeling project depends on everything from the condition of the neighborhood and the age of the home to the execution of the work done.

If you add a master bedroom and bath to a smaller home in a neighborhood of larger homes, that’s going to have more economic impact than doing the same project on the biggest house on the block. Of course, a shabby remodeling project will do little for a home on a street of neat, similarly priced homes.

Check out our cost-versus-value link.

How do we compare project costs?

Comparing project costs from more than one contractor is difficult due to all the quality variables that come into play, including the workmanship, the materials used, and the subcontractors.

It’s a better idea to look at your budget and, if all the contractors fall within your budget, compare the contractors.

How do I compare remodeling contractors?

You must conduct interviews and do your homework to properly compare contractors.

Ask your remodeler or representative about their company.

  • What type and scope of work do they usually do?
  • Do they do their own design work?
  • Do they have references both for complete work and for ongoing projects? (Once you have references, talk to the clients and, if possible, visit a completed project.)
  • Does the remodeler offer a warranty and insurance coverage for general liability and workers’ compensation?
  • Do company employees do the work on your home or subcontractors?
  • What industry associations do they participate in?
  • Is their license current? Are there complaints filed? (You can check with the Department of Commerce or the Better Business Bureau.)

In the end, you want to select an established, trustworthy remodeler who has a proven track record in meeting clients’ expectations. You also want someone whose approach to communication matches your own and whom you like and respect.

What size projects do you do?

Roelofs Remodeling & Renovation does everything from single bathroom upgrades to whole-house makeovers. We can fix the smallest details in your home or rebuild your place from the ground up.

We also have a Small Projects/Handyman division that is just the thing for small repairs and the installation of improvements like handrails and new trim.

What kind of warranty do you provide?

We provide one of the leading warranties in the remodeling industry.  Called the Remodelers’ Limited Warranty, a summary of its coverage follows:

  • One year – everything is covered (We make an inspection in the 11th month to assess all required repairs necessary for nail pops, cracking, etc.)
  • Two years – All mechanical installations to the extent that they are modified due to remodeling.
  • Ten years – Warranty on structural revisions and installation

Also, for your protection we use arbitration for warranty-related issues and for an added level of security.

What should we expect during the remodeling itself?

You’re going to experience a disruption in your daily lives because workmen will be moving in and out of your home, noisy tools will be in operation, and certain areas of your home will be unusable while we work on them.

To mitigate these issues, we will do everything we can, including using plastic curtains to contain dust, wearing special clothing to reduce any impact on your home, and working around your schedule as much as possible.

In some case, such as during the removal of a roof or other dramatic changes to your home, you will have to leave the premises.

How do we pay for remodeling?

We will discuss your financing during your initial quote and will help you determine what approach works best for what you have in mind.