"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."
"As with a lot of homeowners, we were scared stiff about starting a home remodeling project after all of the horror stories we had heard from friends. We were pushed off the edge by a master shower that stopped working and could not be repaired without tearing up the walls. We dove in after reading great reviews about VKB and totally lucked out by getting matched up with Calvin when we walked into the store. From start to finish this has been an amazing experience starting with the design phase, to demolition, construction, and final walk through. Calvin was perfect for us. He first asked us to collect pictures of bathrooms while he took meticulous measurements of our space. He then held our hands through what he called an “organic process” of designing our dream bath. What was really fantastic was when we had to choose tile, he walked us next door to the humongous tile store (where he was previously the store manager!) and smoothly guided us through one of the hardest choices to make with the perfect recommendations. The project was then handed to Al, the construction manager, and again we totally lucked out. I highly recommend this team of Calvin and Al. The construction phase went super smoothly. The workers are extremely clean and respectful. Everyday they lay down clean tarps and cover the carpet they are walking on with sticky plastic sheets. (We have white carpet upstairs and after they were done and a quick vacuum it is absolutely good as new!) Demo day was painless, no dumpster... just hand carried away in a truck. Construction happened pretty much daily from 8-4. We didn’t have to be home when the team was here and we felt absolutely comfortable leaving them home unsupervised. I am an orthopedic surgeon so I’m very precise about measurements. Each night I would sneak into the bathroom and measure everything, and I’m telling you all of the measurements were spot on! Also of note, they taped up two plastic sheet barrier walls between the master bedroom and bath which left the bedroom perfectly clean and livable with zero dust. We slept in our own master bed during the whole master bath remodel. In the end the project took one week longer than expected (this happened over Xmas holiday) and right on budget with no HGTV surprises. Al kept in close touch throughout the project and would text back immediately whenever we texted him with a question. Jose was also incredible during the entire remodel. We absolutely love our new bathroom and we honestly can’t think of any choice that we would change looking back. After this fantastic experience we are already planning our kitchen remodel with VKB next year. I will absolutely insist on my same team of Calvin, Al, and Jose. I have no fear of my next remodeling project"
"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.
"They showed up on time, communicated well from estimate to completion, and the finished work is perfect. We needed our entire new house interior painted. Kitchen, living room, dining room, 3 bedrooms, and two bathrooms. This work was completed in just 2 1/2 days! We were blown away by the quality and speed of this team. We really love the results. Thanks so much!"
"I quickly received an estimate on adding insulation to a colonial. The work was scheduled shortly after that. (~1-2 weeks from what I remember). Workers arrived on time and were pleasant. Part of the job included one of the workers climbing through a hole in a ceiling, since there was no access to the attic in that section of the house. That attic section was also the only access to the area above a cathedral ceiling. They spent quite a bit of time making sure that there was insulation between all the beams in the roof above the cathedral ceiling. This insulation makes a huge difference. Initially it was the initial 1965 insulation, ~1 1/2 inch thick and absent in sections. Now it is R44 and was a great investment. It was well worth the cost considering they insulated a large colonial in addition to a section of house that was not easily accessible and took more time than expected. They did not charge more than the estimate."
"Ron our site manager responded quickly to any questions or concerns we had about the project. Chris, who did the majority of the work was very professional and considerate. He was on time every morning and if he wasn't coming out that day he called to let us know. We have not had any issues with the work that was done and are very happy with the addition. We would definitely use Coastal Builders again. "
"I wasn’t rushing into my home purchase and David was patient during the two years it took to land my home. I wasn’t sure what I wanted at the outset and David encouraged me to see a variety of property types and conditions. That helped hone in on what I wanted and we submitted a couple of offers along the way. The whole experience informed me of what was important to me and emphasized the need to act fast. So when a home I really liked went on the market just as I was headed out of town, David and I developed a strategy to make sure I didn’t lose out. Six months later and I still smile and think how much I love my new home every time I open the front door. (And I have great neighbors, too.) On top of his real estate expertise and familiarity with the area, David also leverages the technology to complete a contract quickly online. He took the time to answer every question and really walked me through the home-buying process."
"We had Flood Crew out to help when our hot water heater broke. Bill and his crew were great! From the water remediation to installing a whole new floor in the basement, the crew took care of every step. These are some of the hardest working guys I’ve ever seen! And they don’t play around, they get the job done. I recommend them to anyone needing this type of work done. Thanks a million, Bill & crew! ???"
A carriage house is a freestanding building, while a townhouse is connected to other units. A townhouse is a full single-family home and typically shares a parcel of land with other connected homes. A carriage house is rarely used as the sole single-family home on a property and is most often an additional building sharing property with a traditional single-family home.
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.
It usually takes around four to six months to build and install a modular home, although your timeline could go up to around eight months if there are delays in the manufacturing or permitting process. Heavy site preparation and foundation pouring can extend that timeline if you need them, as can customizations you want for your modular home. Your modular home company should be able to provide an estimate for the construction timeline before you sign any contracts or agree to any work.
Start by researching local contractors with experience in cottage construction. Ask for references, check licensing and insurance, and review completed projects. Compare multiple bids, making sure each includes the same scope of work. A good contractor will communicate clearly, provide a detailed contract, and ensure all work meets code and safety standards.
It is a good idea to check in with your local city and state regulations before committing to building a shipping container home no matter where you live. This concept is pretty new across the country, and many places won’t let you build one.
The International Code Council (ICC) offers guidelines for home builders on the safe use of ISO intermodal shipping containers repurposed as building components, which can be helpful to review when planning or designing a shipping container home.
The Keymar, MD homeowners’ guide to home building services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Wondering how much it costs to build a house in Baltimore, MD? Use this guide to cover all your bases, from permits and planning to construction and finishing touches.
Garages increase curb appeal and have a high ROI. Use this guide to learn about the average cost to build a garage in Baltimore, MD, and budget for your project.
Whether you're dreaming up a new office or a peaceful sunroom, home addition costs will shape your design. Learn how much a home addition costs in Baltimore, MD.
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.
As a home builder, marketing can be a challenge because you’re not selling the typical product. So how do you tackle marketing as a new home builder or remodeler? Use these tips to get more jobs for your construction business today.
