Whether you’re looking to remodel your kitchen, bathroom, or entire home, we know cost is always a concern. In every aspect of our business, JET Construction strives to be completely honest and transparent, and that includes pricing. However, there’s no easy and simple answer when it comes to the many variables and particularities of remodeling. That’s why we’ve put together this guide, breaking down the different costs and benefits of a remodel, as well as alternate solutions and answers to questions we are commonly asked.
Table of Contents
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Frequently Asked Questions
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The Security of Working with a Licensed and Insured Contractor
Published on September 29th, 2021 by
Eddie Teaby
Eddie, a seasoned remodeling specialist, boasts an impressive portfolio of more than 100 successfully completed projects. His expertise extends to serving clients in Carmel Valley and Surroundings, where he consistently places a premium on delivering top-notch craftsmanship to those seeking a transformative living experience.
The Average Cost of a Remodel
You may have seen estimates for remodeling costs online or elsewhere. Unfortunately, these estimates tend to be useless outside of very loose guidelines. As we’ve already mentioned, remodeling costs are so variable that there’s no simple way to calculate them on the fly. Plus, prices change so quickly that estimates quickly become outdated.
You really need to consult local experts and be very specific about your needs for the remodel so you can be properly informed. We always consider the remodel price from multiple angles, and walk you through each aspect to make sure you have a full insight into why the work costs what it does.
Does Remodeling Really Increase Home Value?
The short answer is yes, absolutely. It’s important to remember that you will recover a significant portion of your remodel spending in increased home value. Statistics show that most remodeling projects in this area can expect to recover at least 60% of their cost through resale value, often more. Just an example, if you remodel your kitchen for $88K, and recover the expected 64.2% of that investment, you’ll only be spending $31K in the long term. Remodels are an investment, and should be considered in that context.
A Very Rough Remodeling Pricing Estimate
It’s incredibly difficult to get a realistic estimate on a remodel until we’ve inspected the area, talked about details and materials, and accounted for complexities. However, we know you’d like to get a general idea of the price of your remodel. The following should give you a very rough estimate, including a reasonable buffer of unexpected costs.
Weeding Out Bathroom Remodeling Contractors
A bathroom remodeling project involves more than just budgeting for materials and labor. Unveiling some of the hidden costs associated with contractors can assist you in identifying those who may be underestimating their quotes and are at a higher risk of delivering subpar results.
Hidden Surprises
Encountering water damage, mold, or wood rot before or during a remodeling project is not uncommon. We strongly advise addressing these issues before proceeding further, and we prioritize keeping you informed about the progress of your remodel at all times.
Cost of Mistakes
I understand your concern, thinking, 'I shouldn't be held responsible for others' errors.' You're absolutely correct. However, it's essential to acknowledge that projects involve multiple individuals, and humans are fallible. Occasionally, materials can get damaged during shipment and require replacement.
In light of these unforeseen circumstances, a prudent business approach involves accounting for contingencies to ensure exceptional service delivery. This entails a markup of approximately 10-20% on materials to accommodate any minor mishaps that might occur.
Labor of Employees and Subcontractors
On average, construction workers earn $20 per hour. A standard bathroom remodel typically requires around 300 hours to finish. In the interest of expediting the completion of your bathroom project for your enjoyment, I often opt to pay overtime rates to our employees. During the approximately two-week duration of your project, you can expect a team of about three employees working diligently.
This breakdown results in 240 hours of regular pay and 60 hours of overtime pay, which is 1.5 times the regular hourly rate. When all is tallied, the labor costs alone amount to $6,600.
Backend Services
The unseen facet of running a business encompasses various essential elements that contribute to its smooth operation. This includes expenses such as accounting, legal services, insurance, vehicle maintenance, employee training, certifications, office supplies, software, and related overhead costs. Additionally, there are marketing expenditures aimed at both reaching potential clients and providing valuable educational content.
Furthermore, as a committed business owner, I invest in my personal growth to stay abreast of the latest industry trends, ensuring that I can provide the best possible service to my clients.
Profit
The unseen facet of running a business encompasses various essential elements that contribute to its smooth operation. This includes expenses such as accounting, legal services, insurance, vehicle maintenance, employee training, certifications, office supplies, software, and related overhead costs. Additionally, there are marketing expenditures aimed at both reaching potential clients and providing valuable educational content.
Furthermore, as a committed business owner, I invest in my personal growth to stay abreast of the latest industry trends, ensuring that I can provide the best possible service to my clients.
Materials
Furthermore, there's the expense associated with materials, which can vary significantly depending on the choices you make. I will delve into these details shortly. If we conservatively estimate these costs at $6,000, and when we sum up all the expenses, our total surpasses $15,000.
The Hidden Costs of Remodeling
When planning for a remodel, it’s easy to make the mistake of only thinking about material and labor costs. Below are some of the more easily forgotten aspects of a remodel’s cost. Beware contractors who underbid and don’t plan ahead for these eventualities. If someone offers you a shockingly low price, investigate to find out just why it is so low.
Backend Services: Every contracting job wouldn’t be possible (or would take much longer) without the support of accounting, maintenance, legal, insurance, and many other support services.
Hidden Surprises: We can encounter structural problems like mold and water damage during our work, which will need to be addressed before moving forward. Even besides the normal wear and tear your home might encounter before our arrival, it’s best to expect the unexpected.
Mistakes and Errors: Sometimes, the people we work with make mistakes, damaging materials during shipment or failing to come through with a promised rate. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, we make mistakes ourselves, as we are only human. If it isn’t covered by insurance, we have to cover it ourselves through the cost of the remodel.
Profit: While it would be a nice idea to provide our work at cost, we need to make a profit so we can continue to pay our employees, stay in business, and keep providing great service to everyone in need of a remodel.
What JET Construction Brings to the Table
Our company stands out among similar contractors for a few different reasons. First, we have the experience to deliver the remodel you’re dreaming of. By reviewing our recent projects, you’ll see that we habitually create spectacular new rooms for all styles and purposes. We’ve seen just about everything during our on-the-job experiences, so we are prepared to handle any problems that might unexpectedly arise.
Furthermore, our labor, systems, and materials are protected by warranty. We are dedicated to making sure that the job is done right from day one, but if any problem does later occur, these warranties protect you and decrease later spending.
Finally, our business is entirely client-oriented. That means we keep in constant communication with you, showing you how progress on the work is going, where we’re getting slowed down, and where we’re ahead of schedule. After we’re finished, we do a full walkthrough of the remodel area with you just to confirm that you’re satisfied with the job and that we didn’t miss anything.
A Process That's Focused On You
After your remodel is finished, we'll conduct a thorough walkthrough together to ensure that no details were missed. Following our service, you have a three-day window to conduct your own meticulous inspection and assess the overall satisfaction. We encourage you to reach out to us at any time with your feedback or comments.
Furthermore, we'll maintain regular check-ins with you every six months to ensure that you continue to enjoy the full benefits of your bathroom remodel.
Our Promise And Warranty
We take great pride in offering one of the most robust warranties available in our local area for the services we provide. As a strong advocate for getting the job done right the first time, we extend to you a 5-year warranty covering both labor and systems. Additionally, you'll benefit from the manufacturer's warranty on materials.
Should any issues arise that fall within our purview and are covered by the warranty and contract, rest assured that we will promptly address and repair them at no cost to you.
Budget Breakdown For Your Bath Remodel
Let's examine the cost breakdown based on the guidelines provided by the National Kitchen & Bath Association. Please keep in mind that this breakdown serves as a general reference, as each project is inherently unique.
The projected costs for various bathroom renovation types are outlined in the table below. It's important to note that these figures are meant as general guidelines, as project specifics can vary.
Item | % of Job | Basic | Average | High-End |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Labor | 20% | $5000 | $8000 | $17000 |
Doors & Windows | 4% | $1000 | $1600 | $3400 |
Other | 5% | $1250 | $2000 | $4250 |
Walls & Ceiling | 5% | $1250 | $2000 | $4250 |
Lighting | 5% | $1250 | $2000 | $4250 |
Counter Top | 7% | $1750 | $2800 | $5950 |
Floor | 9% | $2250 | $3600 | $7650 |
Plumbing | 14% | $3500 | $5600 | $11900 |
Fixtures | 15% | $3750 | $6000 | $12750 |
Cabinetry | 16% | $4000 | $6400 | $13600 |
TOTAL | 100% | $25000 | $40000 | $85000 |
We Budget for Time, Not Just Money
No matter what part of your home is being remodeled, there’s always going to be a certain level of discomfort. We know you don’t want strangers coming in and out of your home, and we know it’s tricky to not be able to use one or more of your rooms as you normally would. That’s why our top priority is to complete the work to your satisfaction as quickly as possible. We adequately staff our team, budget appropriately , and plan ahead to meet this goal.
Cost of Typical Remodel Elements
Use the table to calculate precise cost.
Item | Basic | Average | High-End |
|---|---|---|---|
BASE COST | |||
Permits, Site prep (i.e. floor protection, HEPA air scrubber, dust control barriers etc.), dumpster, portable toilet, demolition, project managment, cleaning. No change to layout | 7500 | ||
Permits, Site prep (i.e. floor protection, HEPA air scrubber, dust control barriers etc.), dumpster, portable toilet, demolition, project managment, cleaning. Minimal layout changes | |||
Permits, Site prep (i.e. floor protection, HEPA air scrubber, dust control barriers etc.), dumpster, portable toilet, demolition, project managment, cleaning. Major layout changes | |||
PAINT | |||
Minimal patch/repair drywall. Paint two top coats | |||
Moderate dryawall replacement, remove popcorn ceiling, prime, paint with two top coats of good quality paint | |||
Full drywall replacement with mold-resistant drywall, prime, paint two top coats of premium qulaity paint | |||
Ceramic tile or LVP | |||
Premium quality ceramic tile, custom layout (herringbone etc) | |||
Premium quality procelain tile, custom layout, optional heated tile floor | |||
FIXTURES | |||
Replace existing fixtures (sink, toilet) with stock selections. Fiberglass bathtub. | |||
Better quality fixtures. Replace tile shower with expanded size. | |||
Premium fixture options (Steam shower, body sprays, bidet). Replace tile shower. | |||
FAUCETS | |||
Replace with stock faucet. No relocation. | |||
Premium faucet selection. No relocation. | |||
Premium faucet selections. Relocate. | |||
LIGHTNING | |||
Keep existing layout. Replace fixtures | |||
Upgrade existing lighing using same layout. Add dimmer switches. | |||
Add LED can lighting or other fixtures (wall sconces) dimmer switches | |||
CABINETS | |||
Paint existing vanity or replace with stock vanity | |||
Replace with semi custom vanity | |||
Custom vanity | |||
COUNTERTOPS | |||
Level 1 granite/quartz | |||
Level 2 granite/quartz | |||
Level 3 quartz granite/quartz | |||
TILE | |||
Stock ceramic tile bathrub surround | |||
Procelain tile shower, niche in shower | |||
Natural stone or premium porcelain tile bathtub surround and shower. Niche in shower with bench | |||
GLASS ENCLOSURE | |||
Semi-frameless glass enclosure | |||
Frameless glass enclosure | |||
SMART TECH | |||
Smart faucets | |||
Automated lighting, fan, and smart faucets. Available wireless control for bidet and steam shower |
Get a precise estimate for your project
Can’t You Lower Costs Through DIY Work?
Let’s be honest. The internet offers more information than ever, and that includes plenty of DIY tips and tutorials. If you’re handy enough, well-prepared, have lots of time, and have the right tools, you might be able to take care of some remodeling tasks on your own. However, you’re gambling quite a bit on that “if”.
Mistakes can quickly spiral out of control in this line of work. If you don’t have the experience to be able to avoid common pitfalls, you’re bound to waste time and materials learning the ropes. You can even seriously damage your pipes, electrical work, or home structure, requiring repairs that will balloon the cost far, far beyond that of any contractor.
And unless you’re lucky enough to not need to work, you’ll have to fit in the DIY job after hours and on weekends. Forget about relaxing, and forget about having the room in working order within a few weeks. It’s astounding how quickly a “weekend project” spills into months of labor and wishing you just had a regular working kitchen again.
So yes, in honesty, the well-prepared DIY remodeling project can sometimes go well and save you money. But chances are much greater that you will find yourself out of your depth, struggling, and end up needing to hire someone to fix or finish the job. 9 times out of 10, you’ll end up spending more doing it yourself.
