"Fred and his team are excellent. We Cannot express how good of a job they do, how well they communicate, and how well they work with you during your renovations. We were so happy we went with them, have recommended them to friends and will use them again for our next major project."
"MW Construction built a new home for us and we couldn’t have been happier with the results. They were very professional and did a superb job. MW was quick to return our phone calls and answer any questions that we had during the building process. I would highly recommend them."
"It was a pleasure to work with Scott. He kept me informed of the progress in a timely manner such that their were no surprises. The workmanship is top of the line. He is honest, pleasant, diligent and skilled. You would be hard pressed to find a better contractor for your project."
"They were excellent contractors. Changes that came up during the project were handled efficiently and they offered sound advice and opinions. Prices were fair and they kept in contact."
"This contractor does great work in all the ares you mention. They have many years of experience and their skills result in high quality workmanship. They were able to report other concerns we wouldn't have otherwise known about; and was able to professionally resolve anything that arose. We appreciate their knowledge, skills, and professionalism; and highly recommend them without hesitation. Thank you!"
"Z, Came to my home in Wildwood Crest. He gave me a quote to remodel my laundry room. He was professional, efficient but most of all he gave us advice. He went above and beyond our expectations. The laundry room looks great. I had loose steps coming from my back deck to the yard. I ask Z if that was something he can do? He said, let me grab lunch and a couple tools to do the step and I’ll be back. He gave me a great price and the steps are perfect. Real good guy and very honest. Ray"
"Yes, the job was done beautiful. He was very professional and definitely has the skills and knowledge as a general contractor. He kept me informed and contacted immediately if there were any issues. I highly recommend this company for any home improvement projects."
Unfinished Carpentry questions, answered by experts
The easiest way to tell if a wall is load bearing is to check if it’s an exterior wall or if it runs perpendicular to the joists above and below it (or parallel to beams). Exterior walls are almost always load-bearing, and walls that run under beams or parallel to them are also usually load-bearing. There are exceptions to these rules, and walls that don’t fit into these categories can still be load-bearing. If you’re unsure, hire a structural engineer to look at your home to assess whether or not the wall is structural.
One of the most common house framing basics for decades has been using wood for the framing work. However, some framing contractors now suggest using steel frames. Steel is lightweight, resistant to fire, and resistant to moisture, all of which are areas where wood framing could cause problems. However, steel framing is more expensive than wood and limits your ability to insulate the home.
The average cost of DIY window framing is about $40 to $60 in materials. If you hire a window treatment professional, you’ll pay for materials plus labor costs—anywhere from $250 to $800 per window. The final cost is highly dependent on the window size, as larger windows are heavier and more difficult to install, as well as the type of window framing material.
Bump-out additions can extend anywhere from 2 to 15 feet from an existing room. The right size will depend on how you plan to use the new space. For a cantilever bump-out, which doesn't require additional foundation support, the limit is typically 24 inches (2 feet). If a footing and foundation are part of the project, a bump-out can be much larger, even encompassing a whole room. It's also important to remember that many residential properties have limits on the total house size relative to the lot size.
Bump-out additions can add some space to a closet without requiring any significant structural work. This entails pushing back the existing rear or side of the closet, simply moving the wall into either an adjacent room or unused space. For ground-floor closets, this could even be extended to the exterior of the home, but that has its own complications. Bump-outs are a good discussion to have with your contractor if you’re just looking to increase the space a little—not renovate the entire closet space.
The Villas, NJ homeowners’ guide to contractor services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Need to run electricity to your basement? Learn about the cost to install an outlet in an unfinished basement and what factors affect your project cost.
When you’re tackling a project or hiring a contractor, it’s helpful to know key carpentry terms. From end grain to dovetail joints, here’s a complete list.
House framing is one of the first parts of building a home. To do this, you’ll want to hire a rough or unfinished carpenter. Using this guide, you’ll know what questions to ask and where to look for your house framing contractor.
Buying unfinished cabinets can help you create the custom remodel of your dreams, but is it worth the fuss? This guide will tell you everything you need to know.
