Remodeling Blog

Some home improvement projects are best performed by a contractor, while other home projects can be performed by the homeowner. Knowing the difference is important. If you're a homeowner who takes on projects that are more substantial or complex than you realize, you could do damage to your home, suffer an injury, or devalue your property.  Home improvement projects should benefit your home and its value - and they should be done safely. The best way to ensure that your project will go smoothly and have the desired outcome is to hire a licensed CT contractor when it's necessary. Below are examples of projects that we recommend hiring a contractor to complete. 

Good contractors communicate well with their clients, so when clients ask questions, they develop a thorough understanding of the issues. Even if you're working with an expert construction contractor, it's still important to know what to ask a general contractor before and during your Connecticut home remodel. The more questions you ask, the more you'll know about your home improvement project - and the easier it becomes to make smart decisions throughout the project.  Your contractor will likely communicate with you about your project in a variety of ways. Read any materials that your contractor provides to you, especially the contract.  Many answers to your questions should be contained in the contract. Ideally, you should work with a contractor that offers as much information up front as possible. Litchfield Builders provides a range of reference materials for homeowners. Check out our online resource library for free downloadable information about home remodeling and how to choose a Connecticut home remodeling contractor. Read on to learn more about the best questions to ask your contractor. 

Every commercial construction project is different, but when you're working with a professional construction business with a well-established process, you can expect your project to be streamlined and well planned. This is the case when you're working with Litchfield Builders.  Litchfield Builders has been in business for over 25 years, and in that time, we've created a number of processes that make each job a success. Knowing what to expect in your commercial project can help you prepare for your upcoming commercial property improvement.

Just about every step of the home improvement process has its challenges, including the search for the right contractor. There are many capable residential contractors in the state of Connecticut. Vetting contractors to find the right company for your home improvement project can be time-consuming. Knowing what to consider and which qualities are most important can help you be successful in your search.  Litchfield Builders publishes a free guide to hiring a residential contractor in Connecticut. You can find the publication on our website. In addition, the tips below can help you find the best contractor for your particular project. Finding the right company can help ensure that your home improvement project will be a success, so it's important to get it right.  

Some people hire a general contractor when it's time to remodel. Some people do the work themselves.  ...And still others hire subcontractors to coordinate their own remodel like a general .  Which one are you? We've seen all three approaches. While there's no one right way to perform a home improvement project, there can be disadvantages to not hiring a general contractor. If you can recognize those disadvantages, you can avoid some of the common mistakes that homeowners make when they decide not to hire a general . 

Most construction contracts are known as fixed-price contracts, which means the contractor and the property owner have agreed on a fixed price for the work. The price only changes when change orders are signed by both parties. Although fixed-price contracts are the most common type of construction contracts, these agreements aren't appropriate for every type of construction job. The alternative is a time and materials contract. 

As a home or commercial property owner, you have probably gone through your fair share of construction or remodeling projects. Whether they are commercial or residential projects, you probably have a good sense of the characteristics and qualities you want out of the company you are hiring for the job.

Remodeling can be costly. From labor to materials, a typical commercial remodel can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Although the end results are worthwhile, some commercial property owners stumble on the price tag. Knowing of commercial contractor fees, those on a tight budget may even try to save money by hiring their own workers to do portions of the job, which can have unintended consequences.

Home remodeling is a huge undertaking that requires a significant investment of time and money. Whether you're renovating your home to sell or you're just building the dream home you always wanted, residential construction can be a lengthy, involved process that requires a lot of preparation. If you're hoping to take on this type of project, now is the time to get started.

Hiring a general contractor in Connecticut can be intimidating, and this is especially true if you're unfamiliar with their industry language or lingo. A great deal of the typical contractor jargon relates to the process of setting the price for the job. If you can speak with authority about the cost of the job, the process for hiring a contractor becomes less intimidating. Here are a few key terms to help get you through the remodeling process.