How to Get the Most Out of Your Remodel Budget

Ryan Kinney • March 28, 2025

One of the biggest concerns when approaching a remodel is how to maximize your budget to get the most for your hard-earned dollars. Here are a few tips on how to stretch those dollars to get more of what you want.


Make the Hard Choices Early
 If the dollars are limited, it means we may need to pick where we apply the budget. This means that if you are remodeling your kitchen, we may need to be making either-or choices. The homeowner needs to decide what holds the most importance in the project. Do they want top-of-the-line custom cabinets, or would they rather splurge on hard surface countertops? Is vinyl flooring enough for your lifestyle, or are hardwood floors an absolute necessity?


There are hundreds of these small decisions, and they all add up to make the budget. This is part of the reason we at The Building Company have elected to utilize a Project Development Agreement (PDA). We have found that the earlier we have these conversations, the better. It eliminates high-pressure decision-making and makes the project flow more smoothly. It also has the benefit of knowing exactly what you are going to be charged before a hammer swings or dirt moves on site.


Choose a Reputable Contractor
 There are a lot of ways to make a project “fit” the budget. This can include providing allocations that are much too low for certain parts of the project or certain fixtures and then charging for the overage at the back end. Or leaving parts of the scope out and then charging change orders when the project is nearing its end. We believe that reputable contractors clearly define the scope beforehand and will always try to select materials before the start of a project.


The reality is that if you don’t feel like you can trust the person remodeling your home, you are taking a huge risk. Check reviews or references—any contractor that is doing good work should be unafraid to let you speak with previous clients or read their reviews. When a contractor runs out on you or has poor business practices, you as the homeowner end up paying the price.


There are lots of reputable contractors in the Spokane and Coeur d’Alene area, and you can always look at the Spokane Home Builders Association and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry to find contracting professionals that adhere to strict ethical codes.

We tell people often, “If you don’t feel like you can trust us, you shouldn’t hire us.”


Try to Make as Few In-Process Changes as Possible
 Changes do happen on nearly every project. Plan accordingly. Make sure that you have a frank discussion with your contractor about how changes work, what the process is, and whether you should hold anything in reserve for the project. The reality is that when a scope or material is changed, it does two things: it adds time to the duration of the project (potentially significant time depending on delivery dates), and it also changes the cost. This cost will generally be above what was previously budgeted—especially if it means removing or altering work that was already completed.


This is where the planning portion of the project really pays off. We believe that we can run a project that sticks more closely to the budget if we plan the project beforehand instead of figuring it out as we go. We can avoid many of the budget overages and project delays that you hear in the horror stories about construction.


Doing a home remodel can be done while being budget-conscious. Just remember these small tips the next time you are looking to do a renovation or construction project on your home. We here at The Building Company love to aid in the project development. If you like the sound of a well-planned, budget-conscious project, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with an inquiry or a call.


Ryan Kinney, President, The Building Company

Understanding the Cost of Home Remodeling: A Guide

September 2, 2023
As a premier home remodeling company, The Building Company provides tailored solutions that meet our clients' unique expectations and budgets. From budget-friendly transformations to ultra-high-end revamps, we offer a range of remodeling services to fit every homeowner's needs. In this article, we will delve into the estimated costs of a home remodeling project based on different levels of finishes and detail some of the factors that cause variances in pricing. The cost of remodeling the main floor of a home can greatly vary due to factors like the level of finish, the types of materials used, labor costs, and unforeseen issues like structural challenges. However, for a standard 1200-1400 square foot main floor (including a kitchen, bathroom, two bedrooms, a living room, a dining room, and an entryway), here are some general cost estimates for different finish levels: 1. Budget : In a budget renovation, the cost can range from $60 to $85 per square foot, translating to approximately $72,000 - $119,000. This typically includes basic upgrades to finishes, fixtures, and appliances with minimal changes to the layout. 2. Medium: For a medium-grade renovation, you might expect to pay between $100 to $150 per square foot, or $120,000 - $210,000. This often involves more substantial changes to the layout, higher-end finishes, and superior quality appliances. 3. High-End: At this level, prices can range from $200 to $300 per square foot, resulting in total costs between $240,000 - $420,000. Expect significant structural changes, custom design work, top-of-the-line appliances, and premium materials. 4. Ultra High-End: For a luxurious, tailor-made remodel, expect costs upwards of $350 per square foot or more, which can bring your total to well over $420,000. This includes architecturally significant changes, high-quality finishes, and the highest caliber of materials and appliances. Keep in mind, these estimates are general ranges, and the actual cost can vary based on the specific details and scope of your project. The Building Company is dedicated to providing detailed, personalized estimates to ensure there are no surprises along the way, helping you achieve the home of your dreams within your budget. Several factors cause these significant price variations. The choice of materials is often the largest contributor, as high-quality, durable materials come at a premium. Custom-made pieces or unique installations also increase the price, as do any changes to the home's structure or layout. Labor costs can also vary widely, depending on the complexity of the work and the professionals required. If controlling costs is a priority, consider focusing your budget on key areas, such as the kitchen or bathrooms, which yield higher returns on investment. Opt for standard finishes and fixtures, and try to maintain the existing layout to avoid costly structural changes. Room-specific breakdowns are as follows: Kitchen Typically the most expensive to remodel, a kitchen renovation can account for 15-30% of your total budget, depending on the level of finishes and appliances. Bathroom Bathroom remodels usually consume around 10-20% of the total budget. Living Room & Dining Room These areas generally account for 10-15% of the budget each. Bedrooms Expect to allocate around 5-10% of your budget per bedroom. When considering which finish level to choose, consider both your financial capacity and your lifestyle needs. Budget renovations are ideal for those needing a refresh on a limited budget. A medium-grade remodel is suitable for those wanting more customization and quality without extreme luxury, while high-end renovations are designed for homeowners desiring a significant lifestyle upgrade. Lastly, an ultra high-end remodel caters to those wanting a completely bespoke home experience, where every detail is of the highest quality and tailored to the homeowner's unique tastes and preferences. No matter the scale or budget of your remodel, The Building Company is committed to transforming your home into a space that reflects your style while enhancing your everyday life.

Does your contractor use protection?

August 10, 2023
The Basics Sweep and Vacuum The easiest way to avoid damage is to sweep and vacuum often. The majority of the damage particularly to flooring or surfaces comes from dust and debris being ground into or dragged across flooring or countertops. Best practice is at a minimum to sweep and vacuum daily throughout a project. Even more often is better, especially for jobs with large amounts of demo. A couple of great pieces for these tasks are a soft bristle broom , a quality large dustpan , and a powerful extra “sucky” vacuum. Work Outside Or In the Garage If there is trim to be cut, cut it in the garage. Do you need to frame a wall? Cut the studs outside. It seems simple but this will cut down on the dust left on the interior. The less dust and debris in your project from the beginning will help reduce the protections needed for the project. Now if that seems like a lot of trips in and out of the house then see or section on Dust Collection below. Intermediate Plastic Sheeting/Masking Maybe the most prolific form of home protection is the giant sheets of plastic to seal off a section of the house. Here at The Building Company we like to use no lighter than 4 mil thick plastic, 6 mil is better for longer jobs. If you combine this with a Zip Wall door it can be a very effective way to close off the space from dust and debris. If you combine these with the ZipWall ZipPole it becomes a complete quick up, quick down system. Ram Board/Floor Covering There are many types of protective floor coverings. A common type of covering that is used is Contractor’s Paper or Builder’s Paper, a lightweight paper used especially to protect floor from light traffic such as paint in a room where the flooring is not being redone. Generally, here at The Building Company we generally opt for X-Board . X-Board is a quality medium traffic protective floor covering. In some locations such as stairs or high traffic hallways it is better to go to a heavy duty product like Ram Board . Ram Board has some accessories such as stair guards and seam tape. Best practice is to suit the product to fit the traffic. Advanced Dust Collection Dust collection is the advanced form of vacuuming. In fact it’s almost like pre vacuuming. Most saws, sanders and cutting tools have dust collection ports on them these days. Some excellent dust extractors would be Makita’s 11 Gallon Model and Bosch’s 9 Gallon Model . The benefit of utilizing dust extraction is that you hardly generate extra dust from cuts at all. The newer systems do a great job of getting most of the dust and debris leaving very little clean up. They also help cut down airborne dust. This becomes the best of both worlds. It allows a contractor to utilize their time more efficiently because they are not going in and out of the room. It also allows them to utilize less time cleaning up. Air Scrubbers Air scrubbers are HEPA filtration systems that significantly reduce the air particle count. Particularly in high dust situations such as lath and plaster removal or heavy sanding, these are a lung saver. Anyone who has worked in a high dust environment knows how brutally long those days feel when you can hardly breathe. Implementing a few of these scrubbers will quickly knock down the amount of dust and help protect your house from the scratches.