"We used VKB for a complete bathroom makeover based on positive reviews online and found out how good they really are! This company knows how to do customer service and makes your home more beautiful! Junior was our designer and eased us through the design process. This was our first major renovation and Junior explained each step and what to expect. Jason Ali, project manager, was constantly coordinating, checking and communicating as the work unfolded. And to our delight, Pedro, crew leader, Ricardo, and Jose turned out to be our dream construction team. They were sensitive, polite, and skilled as they worked so hard each day. They kept things as neat as they could and without fail, cleaned up well each day. The project yielded some small problems and challenges but each was identified and solved. We could not be more pleased. Gary and Kate C"
"The first reason we would highly recommend Green Studio Builders is the reason we selected them in the first place from a pool of candidate contractors: They listened to us. We appreciated that they were willing to work with our vision rather than trying to upend our ideas. GSB is a design build firm, but we found them surprisingly flexible compared with several architect-contractors we interviewed. The second reason we would recommend GSB is that they finished our project on time and on budget, even though the bulk of the construction took place during the course of the pandemic. They hit their targets even though they were forced to work, unexpectedly, with our family in the house and under foot the whole time. This was no small challenge for all of us, but GSB worked with us to limit the impact and finished the project on time despite the unexpected. The third reason we’d recommend GSB is the quality of the work. From framing to finishings, from the cleanliness of the job site to the custom shelves, their work really is top notch. Nicoleta’s recommendations and her attention to detail helped us improve our design. Our new space – a second story addition and new room off the back – looks stunning, even better than we originally envisioned."
"Our Masonite-sided home of 31 years was beginning to fail, so we decided to reside with Hardiplank. After quite a long search, we chose Sunshine Contracting and can say without reservation it was the finest contracting experience we've ever had. Company president Ryan Sabo came thru with every promise and more. The entire team, Project Manager Nate, Site Manager Kevin and crew Rueben, Demas, Rutiello, & Domingo were professionals and a pleasure to work with. They are true craftsmen, who labored over the details and maintained the aesthetic qualities of our Williamsburg-styled home.They delivered excellent customer service along with a 5-star product. We are 100% satisfied with their work. Really can't say enough, great experience!"
"After talking to and receiving quotes from 6 contractors we selected BK Contractors (Bret) for our remodel. The project included creating a new home office that needed to be insulated and sound proofed, a home theater, a kid’s playroom, half bath, and craft / arts center. Additionally, the hot water heater needed to be relocated with new plumbing lines run. Bret and his team were very professional and great to work with!!! Starting with the design and contracting process, Bret was easy to work with. He was more than happy to spend as much time as needed to help design the project. Like most people, we had a limited budge. Bret was able to offer options that allowed us to stay within our budge while maximizing our design. As for the contract, Bret’s scope of work and contract was thorough and left no doubt we select the right contractor. Within days of signing the contract Bret had the building permit in order and his guys were hard at work. The framing, electrical and plumbing rough-in were competed within a few weeks. All of his employees are very professional, polite, respect your home as if is it their home. At the end of each day, the work site was swept clean and the trash taken out. Throughout the entire project Bret was ALWAYS available and just a phone call away. I would absolutely recommend BK Contractors and will certainly use him again."
"Had a great experience working with Sam for the initial walkthrough. Very friendly and provided a competitive estimate on the spot. Crew arrived on time, completely covered/protected all floors, cabinets, and furniture. Did a great job painting almost two full floors of my home including walls, trim, stairs, spindles, doors, and frames. Touched up all areas of concerned and did a good job cleaning up afterwards. Would recommend and use them again in the future."
"Very good work on my mother's house. Adam, the project manager, was very helpful in measuring and recommending the fixtures and cupboards. etc., which I then picked out and ordered from Home Depot. Everything was done quickly and the clean-up was thorough with minimal intrusion on the home health aide's schedule. Planning to replace living room rug with wood and will definitely hire them for this. "
"This was a great experience. The Team was top notch and very kind. They were very professional and did a great job cleaning the windows. They were careful and respectful of the home and belongings within. I will be using them again!
Custom Home Builders questions, answered by experts
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.
Green homes are often more expensive to build, averaging around $200 per square foot compared to the $150 per square foot you’d spend to build a standard home. However, green homes can save you money on your utility bills by consuming less energy or creating energy using solar panels or wind turbines on-site. They’re more expensive to build, but they often end up costing less in the long run.
In most cases, you should get an architect before you hire a builder. An architect will be the one to draw up formal plans for your project, including guidelines and even material lists for your builder to follow during construction. Many architects can even help you find builders, choose one for your project, and negotiate prices. Some are also willing to act as project managers throughout the process, working closely with a builder from start to finish.
Buying a house is easier than building one from scratch. Buying an existing home is almost always faster, even if you need to make renovations once you move in. When you hire the right team to build a home, they will simplify the design and build phases so that there is little guesswork throughout the process, but building new construction will almost always take longer than buying an existing home.
Modular homes are cost-effective, energy-efficient, and faster to build than traditional homes. They also offer customizable designs.
The Dumfries, VA homeowners’ guide to custom home building
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 Washington, D.C.? Use this guide to cover all your bases, from permits and planning to construction and finishing touches.
One of the best ways to expand your home is to build up. That said, the cost of adding a second story in Washington, DC, can range. We'll break it down here.
Garages increase curb appeal and have a high ROI. Use this guide to learn about the average cost to build a garage in Washington, D.C., and budget for your project.
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.