How to prevent ballooning project costs by planning ahead.

May 22, 2025

How to prevent ballooning project costs by planning ahead.

One of the most common things that homeowners ask when looking at remodel projects is, “How much does it cost to do x.” Our answer: it depends. This answer likely makes your hackles rise just a little. The reality is it depends on a large number of factors but the two major ones are what and how much. For instance in a bathroom, are we tiling the floor and the entire shower or just the floor? And then what are we using to tile it? Are we doing subway tile? Medium format porcelain? Natural stone? Each of these products varies wildly in cost per sq ft. Subway tile runs about $4/sqft whereas natural stone tiles can run as much as $25+/sqft.

So if the factors that go into cost can be so variable how can we control the budget from going off the rails? We have found there are two key factors: scope and selections. Scope refers to the type or quantity of the work being performed. Quantity seems fairly intuitive; it takes more time to lay 2000 square feet of flooring than it does to lay 200 sqft. 


Let’s take a look at the type of work. Some materials have different labor requirements or some ways of building take more labor than others (to say nothing about some quality differences). For instance when you look at building sheathing. The most common way of sheathing a building was with OSB or plywood. Now there are several types of new systems that are on the market that have specific guidelines for installation such as Huber’s Zip System. These take more time and care to install but boast extreme weather resistance and no need for building paper. 


So, on the materials side this too is fairly straightforward. Some countertops cost $40 a square foot and some cost $400 per square foot. This is where the clients preferences and truly the needs, wants and would be nices of the project really come into play.


At The Building Company we have developed a process to help facilitate the maximization of the budget. The first factor is knowing: what is the budget? Then we need to define the highest priority items. Is flooring a key element? Do you want custom cabinets or are out of the box cabinets acceptable? Do you care what type of paint gets used? These help us to allocate the budget accordingly. Then we can get into selections and setting thresholds based upon the space. This means that we are there as a guide and guardian of the budget. We know that it can be enticing to pick all the things that you want and that’s fine but that money has to come from somewhere else. We are here to help you stay within that budget. But the best part is that at the end of all this we know the exact amount that it will cost to do the project.

In summary, “How much will I spend on remodeling my bathroom/kitchen/main floor?” The reality is it depends on several factors but the two most important will be scope aka how much of what kind are we doing and the choice you make on materials. We are here as a guide and ally in the process to try and get you as much as we can at your desired price point. If you feel this process is something that would work well for you and your project let’s talk, reach us at 509-890-0222, inquiry or by email.

How to Get the Most Out of Your Remodel Budget

By Ryan Kinney • March 28, 2025
How to Get the Most Out of Your Remodel Budget

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.