How much will my remodel cost? It’s a valid question! Every project, no matter how big or small, is limited by cost in some way. And getting an estimate of the projected cost of the remodel you have in mind is almost impossible to project by searching online for answers. Home remodeling calculators and price per square foot guides don’t give you a valid estimate. “Price per square foot is often useful for insurance purposes,” says Jeff Talmadge, owner of Talmadge Construction. “But every remodeling project is different, and using a per square foot cost to calculate a budget can be misleading. What does that per square foot price include? If you’re doing a remodel, you often need a new subpanel or to replace old water pipes; that raises the overall cost of the project.  Square foot pricing doesn’t take these types of items into consideration.  And for new construction: “what about PG&E, driveway, and septic or sewer?” Are those items included in the price per square foot?

According to the National Association of Home Builders, price per square foot averages are not designed as a guide for any particular home or situation. Instead, these price surveys offer only “a broad idea of construction costs for an average home; they are not perfect tools for estimating costs for a particular house. Building practices, the cost of labor, the cost of land, and to some extent the cost of the materials can vary from place to place and depend on the nature of the particular home being built.”

Talmadge Construction designer Nicole Brown points out that remodeling reality shows can also skew the perception of price. “You may see a gorgeous deck they say cost $3K, but it was built on a property in Wisconsin. Labor in California is much more expensive than in many other parts of the country.”

So back to the question of “how much will my remodel cost?” Consider instead, “Where do I start when considering the cost of a remodel?” Here at Talmadge Construction, we believe in and have consistent success with the Design-Build method of building construction. Design-Build is about working together to stay within your budget limits. We begin by listening to your priorities, discuss your budget and then discover what we can make work for you. Instead of having plans drawn up for a house that may cost more than you want to invest, we design a project with you to suit your budget and needs. This process allows for time to research the actual cost of your job. “The final estimate is the actual price and is the result of creative, thoughtful design and detailed estimating,” explains Jeff. “We’ve done all the research and the trade contractors have all looked at existing conditions to avoid surprises. We go look for potential issues and tell you the truth about what to expect.”

The Design-Build Process eliminates price per square foot confusion and gives you the actual cost of your remodel with all variables factored in. Read more about the Design-Build process on our website or schedule a free in-home consultation by calling us at 831-689-9133.

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