"Review by John Haugh, Greencastle, PA. Project: remodel master bathroom and make it handicapped friendly. The Conrad Homes work team (Patty and Blake) were excellent to work with and did an outstanding job. They were completely cooperative in taking our suggestions and doing the work as we wanted. I would not hesitate to have them help with any future remodeling jobs we might have at our home in the future. The work done on our master bathroom was clearly superior to the work done on our bathroom by the builder when the home was built in 2010."
"The owner Justin came to my house to give an estimate and he was easy to talk to. He was down to earth and I was able to ask every reasonable and unreasonable question I had. His office manager Jess answered all my questions through email courteously when I had them. The crews were quick, responsive, and careful in my home, especially around my curious dog. I asked for a very elaborate and difficult herringbone tile backsplash. The team handled its tediousness beautifully. The estimate was much lower than another company I had researched. I plan to use Adam contracting next year to replace my roof ... yes, they do that, too!"
"The whole experience was wonderful! Calvin Lee came to our home to measure the space and provided exactly what we asked for as our remodel design. Jason and his crew worked very hard to complete our kitchen as quickly as possible while doing excellent work. Christian always answered question and addressed concerns as the process went on. Jason followed up each evening to let us know what would happen next. They arrived on time each day worked full days. We got all new cabinets, flooring, countertops, lighting and paint. We couldn’t be happier with our new beautiful kitchen!"
"He's been working for me about 12 years now. They have done everything in my house and rental properties. He did plumbing, additions, HVAC, painting, electrical, and framing. He did everything. He's excellent, always does a great job. He also did a roof for me."
"VKB Frederick remodeled our basement and turned an area that was mostly being used for storage into a space our family can actually enjoy. We wanted it to feel comfortable and finished, but also practical enough for everyday use. This was our first renovation of this size, so we had plenty of questions throughout the process. The team was responsive and explained things in a way that made it easier for us to make decisions. We also appreciated the crews attention to the finishing details because those little things really make a difference once the project is complete. The basement no longer feels like a basement. It feels like another level of our home, and we are using the space far more than we expected. We?re very pleased with the transformation and would recommend the VKB Frederick team."
My name is Robert Congedo president of KMA Associates, Inc, I have the following licenses: Class A Virginia, Maryland contractors, Maryland home improvement, Montgomery contracting, PG county contracting, Calvert Co contracting, District of Columbia contracting, land disturber certified from Virginia. I have over thirty years of experience from building houses in all price ranges, in all of these areas. I spend a lot of time on every job to make sure things are done right. All of my homes have appraised for 10 to 30 percent higher than the cost to build. I can offer you competitive pricing as I have low overhead and years of experience with all my subs. I build one at a time. All my estimates are free and depending on the detail are exact prices. I have never increased price on any project without the owner's approval in writing.I also carry over two million in liability insurance . I can find lots in any area and have available architects to help design your home.
"All the work was on time and to satisfaction! The crew was kind and professional! I would definitely use this company again for all my home improvements!"
Were a family owned and operated company that values honesty and integrity, and stands behind our work. We offer over 40 years of industry experience. We specialize in Asphalt Shingle Roofing installation, replacement, and repairs. Our services are customized to the individual project, paying close attention to the details of each project that we're involved with. We look forward to building long-term relationships with our clients and guarantee your satisfaction!
"American Home Contractors did an amazing job on 2 projects in my home that not only make the house beautiful, but also will save me money in the long run. James did a great job of providing me with the necessary options and information to make an informed decision about my purchase of new windows and new door. He was very communicative and professional, providing a detailed estimate...which other companies I received quotes from for the same project failed to do. I knew exactly what I would be getting and exactly how much each part of the project would cost. I had such a great sales experience with James, I decided to have them replace my gutters as well. The work was done quickly and looks fantastic. I'm very pleased. When it came time to replace my windows and door, both James (sales) and David (installer) called me to let me know my parts arrived and scheduled a convenient time to complete the project. David's team came in early and worked extremely efficiently to complete the project in a matter of hours. They were very clean to the point you would not have known there was work being performed on my home just a matter of hours previously. I will continue to recommend this company to anyone who asks."
"We selected Talon for building our screened porch, and they did a stupendous job. This was a project that was very complex, especially with the way our home’s roof comes into the space. I went with Talon over so many other contractors because of the level of trust we had with them, that they care about quality, the full understanding from them that they wouldn’t take the job on if they didn’t feel it would work, and their professional attitude and incredible knowledge. All throughout construction, they showed incredible care while working, and were extremely respectful of our property and daily routine. They went the extra mile so many times to ensure this was well built. They take immense pride in their work. It’s an added bonus that everyone we talked to were extremely kind, they are all good people, and it was such a pleasure to have conversations with everyone who works at Talon. If you have a home project you’ve been considering, don’t hesitate, contact Talon now!"
There are energy-efficient options when building a cottage. Select green building materials, high-performance insulation, and energy-efficient windows when designing your cottage. Options such as solar panels, efficient HVAC systems, and LED lighting can lower your utility bills and reduce your environmental impact. Many builders offer energy-efficient upgrades as part of the design process.
The term “cottage” is subjective, so there’s no rigid definition, but it generally refers to a small home with simple and purposeful architecture that embraces nature and focuses on charm over everything else. Cottages are typically 1 or 1 1/2-stories tall, usually with gabled roofs, and are built out of natural materials that help make the structure a part of the surrounding nature rather than something that stands out from it. A big part of what makes a cottage a cottage is the decor, which includes natural materials from the nearby area.
Most cottages are around 1,000 square feet, making them smaller than most other styles. However, cottages are defined more by their decor and architectural focus on simplicity, functionality, and a connection to nature than they are by a rigid square footage or floor plan. While cottages are defined more by their charm and appearance than size, the smaller footprint does help maximize the comfort and charm, and it keeps the focus on connection to nature and family.
Building a house without blueprints is not advised. It will prevent you from obtaining necessary building permits and meeting building codes and is likely to result in shoddy construction and unsafe living conditions. Detailed blueprints ensure that a house is built to exact specifications and is constructed safely and structurally stable.
One of the best ways to negotiate with a homebuilder is to forgo price reductions. Instead, negotiate over upgrades and incentives, as many builders are more willing to go down that road than to decrease their own fee. Even if they were willing to take a cut, a reputable homebuilder often knows their worth, so a willingness to negotiate could be a red flag. Beyond that, builders are typically willing to negotiate closing costs instead of offering a discount on the base price.
The Frederick, MD homeowners’ guide to home building services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
When building a home, going custom gives you the freedom to create your dream house. Learn about the cost to build a custom home and the factors to consider.
Thinking about a custom home building project? Learn about design options, average construction costs, and how to hire the right local pro for your new house.
Building your dream home starts with hiring a builder. Here is how to find a builder who understands your needs and preferences for your brand-new home.
