FAQ
The questions we get on every walkthrough.
Straight answers on money, timelines, permits, and who's actually in your house. If yours isn't here, call and ask.
Pricing & payment
Do you charge for estimates?
No. On-site estimates are free anywhere in our 14-city area, and there's no obligation. We'll tell you on the phone if your project isn't a fit for us.
How is a fixed price different from an estimate?
An estimate moves. Our proposal is a price: line-itemed, with real selections priced in instead of vague allowances. It only changes if you sign a change order.
What does a kitchen remodel cost in Ridgemont?
Most land between $48,000 and $92,000 depending on whether walls move and whether the panel needs upgrading. Baths run $22,000–$48,000.
Do you offer financing?
Yes — 0% for 18 months on approved credit, or fixed-rate terms out to 12 years. We're not a lender; we hand you the options and stay out of it.
How do payments work?
10% to hold the slot, then progress payments tied to milestones. Nothing is due for work not yet done, and the final payment comes after your punch list is clear.
Scheduling & duration
How far out are you booked?
Kitchens and baths run 6–10 weeks out. Additions are usually a season ahead. Quotes hold their price for 60 days.
How long will my project take?
Bath 2–3 weeks. Kitchen 4–7. Basement 5–8. Addition 10–16. We don't start until materials are on site, which is why we finish on time 94% of the time.
Can we live in the house during the work?
Most people do. We seal the work area, set up a temporary kitchen if needed, and clean the site daily.
Process & crew
Who will be in my house?
One lead carpenter, the same one every day, plus our own crew and a short list of subs we've used for years. Everyone is background-checked.
Do you pull the permits?
Always. We file, we host inspections, and we hand you the closed permit at the end. Never sign with a contractor who asks you to pull your own.
What happens if you find something behind the wall?
We photograph it, price it, and get your signature before we touch it. Rot and knob-and-tube wiring are the two most common finds in local 1950s homes.
License, insurance, warranty
Are you licensed and insured?
Ohio Lic. #RC-118442, $2M general liability, full workers' comp. We'll email the certificate the same day you ask.
What's covered by the warranty?
Five years on workmanship, transferable if you sell. Manufacturer warranties on products pass through to you directly.
Do you use subcontractors?
For electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and stone. Carpentry, framing, tile, and finish work are our own crew. No sub joins the list until we've worked with them three years.
Service areas
What areas do you serve?
Ridgemont and 13 more cities inside a 25-mile radius: Fairhaven, Oak Grove, Kestrel Park, Alder Bay, Northgate, Summit Hill, Belmont, Cedar Fork, Harlow, Westbrook, Pinehurst, Millbrook, Stonegate.
Will you travel outside your service area?
Occasionally, for whole-home projects over $150k. Ask and we'll be straight with you about whether we can staff it.
Still stuck?
Call and ask a carpenter, not a receptionist
Call (513) 555-0142 Send the question in writing★★★★★
“Asked five contractors how payments worked. They were the only ones who put it in writing before we signed anything.”
Ellis M. · NorthgateBasement · 2025