"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."
"They were at my home before I got there, but otherwise it was okay. They sent two people to do the work, and they did good work. They were very efficient, very helpful and I appreciated their assistance."
"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
Whether it’s more affordable to gut a house than build a new one depends on the markets where you'd be buying and selling. However, it’s usually less expensive to renovate a home than to build new construction.
Most homeowners pay between $100,000 and $200,000 for demolition and remodeling costs, whereas the average cost to build a new home is between $139,000 and $531,300.
Building a new home can be more expensive than buying an existing one, depending on the housing market in your area. Many homeowners still find that building a new house is worth the investment as they can choose the exact layout they want, as well as to choose their own floors, wall coverings, appliances, and finishes. If you live close enough to the build site, you can also stop by to check on the builder’s progress, which can provide some peace of mind that the project is worth it.
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 pays to hire a project manager or general contractor when you have a large-scale project that will take over a week to complete, especially when it involves structural changes and multiple subcontractors. This includes hiring a general contractor to build a house, add an extension, or manage other projects that need a building permit.
How long it takes to build a custom home or rebuild a home after a disaster varies depending on many factors, but averages between seven and 14 months. Smaller homes or homes that don’t need a re-poured foundation may take less time to build than larger homes or homes without an existing foundation. Material availability, contractor schedules, and permit and inspection timelines can all affect how long your house takes to build.
The Montclair, 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.
