Q. The house was built in 1920; the walls are very damp and I'm sure there's mildew. I would really like to create a living space downstairs, and I was wondering how much it would cost to waterproof/refinish? Any ideas? Tips?

A. My tip/idea: You know, the easiest thing you can do is to call home remodelers in your area--or instead of calling, use the link below--and get Free estimates from them as to the cost involved in refinishing the basement. (Home remodelers usually do all trades in general related to your basement, etc.) This is the only true way of assessing the cost involved, as the cost of material and labor greatly varies by location; so what one person says on here does not get you any closer to understanding what costs are involved in this project without the use of local contractor estimates. Here is a handyman site I use often, which has a section devoted to home improvement articles, where you'll also find towards the far left bottom of the following home improvement page a bright, kind-of-orange home-guru Bob Villa-endorsed ad that offers up to four (4) Free estimates that can be given to you very fast from local remodeling contractors in your area (again, this free-estimate offer is towards the very left-bottom of the following linked page): http://yourhandymanzone.com/Your_Handyman_Zone_How_To_Pages_Home_Improvement_Zone.htm Like I said, get a hold of some local remodelers. In exchange for giving them work, you also might be able to get a good deal on the material from the remodeling contractor, since, usually, they have access to wholesale pricing on building material given the great amount of installations they do. That's the way to go. Good luck with your project!

Q. I inherited a rather large Victorian style house. It is in desperate need of maintenance such as roofing, trim repair and painting, asbestos remediation, wiring and plumbing. I've called just about every contractor in the phone book or in the local trades. Most of them don't even return my calls, and the ones I am able to reach directly are either too busy, don't service my area or don't do residential work (I wish they would say that in their ads). I also tried Service Magic, but the few that did respond to my inquiries gave very high estimates - like one that wanted $18,000 to do one area of the roof. I think $1,800 would be a lot for one dormer! Like I sais, some things need immediate attention. What is a good way to get a reliable contractor?

A. Old homes like that, although beautiful, require regular maintenance. If let go, the damage caused can really add up $$$$ quickly. Sounds like you have quite a bit of water damage already. The suggestion to get an inspection with a good contractor is right on. He'll be able to give you at least a ball park figure of how much it's gonna take to get the place back into decent shape. Be prepared for a pretty hefty amount, and, as a WAG I'd say it could approach $200 sq ft to remodel. I know that sounds crazy when some brand new houses are going for $100 sq ft, but think of the work involved here. The house will likely need extensive demolition work for starters, then the mechanicals will probably all need ripped out, replaced, and brought up to code, and then the finishing work will begin. After remodeling many old homes I do know one thing - It's usually a few steps back (wrecking stuff) before it can be built again to today's standards and that is what costs the $$$ . Just be patient, the good contractors are all busy now and will get to you soon. Good luck. I love them old homes.

Q. I've been assigned to remodel an 800 sq ft apartment after a fire. The inside has been completely gutted. All the contents destroyed including appliances, cabinets, and drywall. The fire did not get through the drywall, so no wall studs or ceiling joists are damaged. We have already cleaned the apt, pulling all drywall, ceilings and walls, stripped cabinets, shower, doors, ect. The apt is now like new construction. What is a fair price to charge realtor for the demolition and cleanup, and for the complete remodeling of the interior. All material will be provided by realtor. Remodeling will include installing new drywall, tape and texture, shower enclosure, toilet, water heater, 3 windows, doors, flooring, cabinets, painting ,ect. I'm just looking for ballpark pricing, just something to start with. Thanks How does a fire restoration company know how much to charge, also there was no insurance on the property, but the property is bought and paid for.

A. Yes what you are describing is alot of work. Most insurance companies have a computer estimating program that they use to determine the material and labor costs of fire restoration. You wouldn't believe the detail that goes into figuring replacement costs of items that most people wouldn't think of. Anyway....I would, if you are just looking for a ballpark, start by figuring what your time is worth. Are you doing this by yourself, or are there other workers that will need to be paid? Alot of these type of jobs are figured by what they call Time and Material estimating. The person paying for the work knows that he is paying for all the materials already, and then they are told who is involved with the work process and what they make on an hourly or weekly basis. I know all this still doesn't give you a ballpark estimate of what to charge. You have to realize that there are alot of factors involved. An 800 sq ft apartment could include cathedral ceilings, high dollar appliances, etc. I guess to just get to the point, I would say that it might take you maybe 2-3 weeks (just a guess-timate) and say the prevailing general laborer wage in your area is $600 per week. I'd start with that and add an extra week to finish (because something always comes up that you don't count on!) and figure the average pay for two more people. Total all that up and add a little bit to it. In the end, you might go home with a few dollars in your pocket. All that I've said is based on the assumption that you are doing the work yourself. I wouldn't stake my survival on these price estimates. I have been doing this sort of thing for a long time and I still will not give an estimate to someone without seeing the location first. It isn't fair to the owner or to me. I hope you have some experience in remodeling if you are undertaking this. But I would think that if you did, you'd already have an idea of how to estimate your labor costs. If you really, really want to get down to it, make a list and email me and I 'll see if I can beak some of it down for you. But if your already into this, well, good luck. After this, you'll either have a handle on the business....or never do another one!

Q. I am thinking to remodel my kitchen and 2 bathrooms and also thinking to redecorate my house.Please tell me any ideas or personal experience about those projects. Do you hire indepentent contractors for each project or a general contractor to oversee the whole project? How did you find them. Word of mouth or ads? How about the cost? I have no idea how much something like this will cost. End result: Do you love it? Hate it? What do you wish had done differently? Any help is appreciated as I have never done a remodeling project before

A. If you are doing a full remodel on the kitchen with new appliances and cabinetry, flooring, want to move the sink or stove to another wall, you will probably rack up a good bill, like 12K to 35K or more depending on size, location (CA is higher than anywhere) and tastes in finishes matters. Like, do you want simple and marketable or fancy marble counters and a new picture window. Things like that cost beaucoup. Bathrooms can cost a lot too with fixtures and finish being the big ticket. If you are on a budget, like the cabinets and just want to give it a new look you can get by fairly inexpensively if you don't find any whammies like water damage, plumbing problems or code issues. I recommend for any level job to talk with as many people as you can about it. Start with looking through magazines and books at the home centers that focus specifically on this subject area. I wouldn't buy the books, just look through them and get ideas. If one has the dream kitchen or bath in it, yeah buy it and show it as an example to the contractor. The better they see what you want the more accurate their estimate will be and more likely you will get what you want. Plan on getting a minimum of three estimates, seven is best, but that is hard to do and you may get a bad reputation and a pain in the @ss. Investigate the contractors you consider using, ASK FOR REFERALS from all serious contenders for the work. Actually talk to people they have worked for and try to see the work in person. Inspect it like you would your kitchen or bath. Look for details like the molding makes straight joints and the caulking is clean and thorough. Ask if it was on budget, on time and why not if not? It isn't always because of the contractor, some owners change their minds and add time and cost themselves. This usually leads to add-on terms to the contract, or should, so you both get what you expect. Remember that add ons not written down are potential lawsuits waiting to happen for both sides. If you are design-disadvantaged, hiring a designer as the general contractor can be a blessing and well worth the cost. They usually have guys that work with them regularly and that is like prequalifying them. They can do all the leg work for you, like picking out wallpaper and color matches for finish surfaces. They can do anything from a quick makeover to full blown remodels that require an architect or engineer depending on the designer. Now is a good time in most places because the housing slump, so there are hungry contractors out there ready to work more cheaply than when work is abundant. Dont be quick to jump on a great offer cause price isn't as good as quality work. Remember, you can counter offer their bids as well. Remember that a month without a kitchen or bath can be murder on a family or a busy professional. Solicit experiences from family, friends, webblogs, coworkers and people on the street to find out more. Make notes when you see something you like in a friend's kitchen or on Martha Stewart or ? Appliances don't have to be the most expensive to be great quality, check Consumers Reports to find the best quality items to use from toasters to Refrigerators to building material. And personally, don't overdo your financial commitment. Stick to your budget, make a plan and follow the plan. Know what you want or find someone to do it for you. Also, consult a realtor or builder about how the remodel will impact the resale value of your home or condo. Is it worth the expense if you plan to move or relocate. Will it throw the property out of kilter, meaning "now the kitchen and baths look so good the living room and the bedrooms need another $50K of work...or we have the nicest kitchen in the tri-state area. If you are planning on staying forever, then please your needs and tastes. If your job could move you around or the kids are growing up and out and you may downsize later, consider putting the money into bonds and wait for when you get your dream house for retirement. But most of all try to enjoy the process, make it an adventure in learning and loving the journey. A good attitude from all involved should be foremost. Redecorating the house in general will be less in cost than one bathroom probably, save major changes or problems, but there again, all things apply. Make the budget and plan and allow for 15-25% add on costs for problems and delays. If you have an older home this is a very real potential addon cost factor. Have someone check your entire home as well. The roof, HVAC, plumbing, house foundation, exterior finish all can matter and if you blow your budget on the kitchen and baths, then the roof goes bad unexpectedly, you will be left in a major pickle financially. Make sure your systems work first, take care of things there first. A leaky roof will destroy your new kitchen and bath in one rainfall. Does that old tree need to come out before a wndstorm knocks it into the house. What about the neighborhood, are you over-valued already? After the work is done, be sure to document your expenses, new appliances and other possessions with a home inventory and make sure your insurance is full replacement value to cover the old and the new stuff. Homeownership is a full time job and you can avoid major woes by being thorough from the start of a major investment of time. You may find you have termite damage and realize that you can get the remodel partially paid for by the insurance payoff or that the house is so far gone you'd be better off just selling and starting over elsewhere. Be informed and don't be afraid to ask stupid questions. If for nothing else but to see the look on their faces! hehe. Good luck!

Q. I mean, roughly what % more does one pay for design and build remodeling by a top-of-the-line company, versus a more "budget" oriented company? We're budgeting around $10K for a kitchen remodel, and I would like any info you have that could help us decide if it is worth doing a little less work or using a little less fancy materials, in order to use the local company that has the best rep (and probably costs the most, but how much more??). Thanks And yeah, I know I have to get estimates. But if someone tells me that there exist remodelers that charge twice as much as others, at least I can start preparing myself to make a hard decision!

A. The question is kind of hard to answer straight, but here are some thoughts. First off, there is no set price for remodeling, so the range can be that one company costs 10 times more than another. But is that cheap company worth it? Are they one of the "9 out of 10 contractors will go out of business in the first 5 years?" And, yeah, they usually go out of business because they don't know how to charge enough for their work. I'm speaking from the perspective of one of those other 1/10 Contractors that is still in business after 10 years. Second, a 10k budget for a kitchen remodel sounds like you have just enough to maybe do your countertops and one or two appliances. Let's run through an extremely ballpark budget: Cheap New Cabinets, IKEA, 10-15 feet of base and wall, installed: $3-7000. Cheap tile countertop, cheap sink, cheap faucet:$3-5000. Cheap Dishwasher, Disposal, Fridge, Freestanding Range, Vent Hood: $1800-2500. VInyl Floor (including tear-out/prep): $500-1500. Code required electrical upgrades, but no new lighting: $500-2500. So, why the big price ranges? Well, I don't know the sizes of your space, the quality or finish you won't settle for less than, the local labor rates in your area, etc. Anyhow, my point is just that, you will want to do some planning to find ways to expand your budget if necessary, and you will want to talk to some small, maybe 1 man remodelers that have been in business in your area for at least a few years to start getting ballpark estimates. A design-build company will add design fees, of course, and the company with lots of crews and flashy advertising will have more overhead, and probably won't even come look at your job when they hear your budget. But, maybe one of these new "3-day kitchen" companies can come out and do something for cheap that makes you feel like you got enough done in your kitchen to make it feel new.

Q. Promotion How will you get the word out to customers? Advertising: What media, why, and how often? Why this mix and not some other? Have you identified low-cost methods to get the most out of your promotional budget? Will you use methods other than paid advertising, such as trade shows, catalogs, dealer incentives, word of mouth (how will you stimulate it?), and network of friends or professionals? Should you have a system to identify repeat customers and then systematically contact them? How much will you spend on the items listed above? Where will this money come from? Image What image do you want to project? How do you want customers to see you? What plans do you have for graphic image support? This includes things like logo design, cards and letterhead, brochures, signage, and interior design (if customers come to your place of business). Pricing Explain your method or methods of setting prices. Compare your prices with those of the competition. Are they higher, lower, the same? Why? For most small businesses, having the lowest price might take away from profit margin; large competitors can under price you anyway. Will you have average prices and compete on quality and service? Does your pricing strategy fit with what was revealed in your competitive analysis? How important is price as a competitive factor? Do your intended customers really make their purchase decisions mostly on price? Proposed Location Is your location important to your customers? If yes, how? If customers come to your place of business: Is it convenient? Parking? Interior spaces? Not out of the way? Is it consistent with your image? Is it what customers want and expect? Where is the competition located? Is it better for you to be near them (like car dealers or fast food restaurants) or distant (like convenience food stores)? What qualities do you need in a location? Describe the type of location you’ll have. Physical requirements: • Amount of space • Type of building • Zoning • Power and other utilities Access: Is it important that your location be convenient to transportation or to suppliers? Do you need easy walk-in access? What are your requirements for parking and proximity to freeway, airports, railroads, and shipping centers? Include a drawing or layout of your proposed facility if it is important, as it might be for a manufacturer. Construction? Most new companies should not sink capital into construction, but if you are planning to build, costs and specifications will be a big part of your plan. Cost: Estimate your occupation expenses, including rent, but also including maintenance, utilities, insurance, and initial remodeling costs to make the space suit your needs. What will be your business hours? Distribution Channels How do you sell your products or services? • Retail • Direct (mail order, Web, catalog) • Wholesale • Your own sales force • Agents • Independent representatives • Bid on contracts ......I need answers for these in your opinion for a business plan for a landscaping and construction company please help

A. Thats alot try posting one question at a time. I do know that word of mouth is the beat way to advertise. Canvassing close neiborhoods door to door offering your services (not being too pushy or passive) can be very effective if you do it wel. "Hi, sorry to bother you. I'm just stopping by advertising for landscaping co. that is currently working in your neiborhood..." Have a flyer with standard prices, offer free estimates. "...and if you schedule today you get ____ for free! Good luck

Q. I have a large family and we need a large house. I found a house that is 4000 sq ft, for $25,000. I assume it is cheap because the house is in a very small town with little opportunity of finding someone to buy and restore it or live there. It's in South Carolina town where the average income is $29,000. I am interested in it, but on a budget and it doesn't look like it has had much done to it in the last couple of years. I would get everything checked out of course and want estimates about the exact cost to get the house up to code. It appears to be sturdy, but...I am going to assume that there will be certain things that will have to be done: electrical, windows (some are broken), and some plumbing. I know it will need siding and I am assuming it will need roofing. What I am researching is the cost per square foot of various siding and roofing products installed, as well as, ideas/ways to save on remodeling. My budget for a house was $100,000. I can do some of the work in the house and just want the minimum done by professionals. It also does not have central heat and air. I grew up without either, but my family wouldn't tolerate it for long. What are the possible costs of an HVAC system (installed) that cools 4000 sqft? I am thinking multiple units since there are three floors. There are many other costs such as flooring and plaster work, so I would appreciate tips hints, and stories about renovating old houses. I am also interested in places where I can buy wholesale, in bulk, salvage, and surplus from large projects. I am willing to drive up to 500 miles to purchase in bulk. I should note I am not looking to make it historically correct, I am more concerned about the safety and codes. I appreciate the help.

A. I've been a carpenter for 35 years and a General Contractor for 30 yrs. The key word in your statements is *Family. This project is not something you want to put your family through no matter how good of a deal you think it is. When I do a large renovation to a home, and I always try to do this without displacing the family, I sit both spouses down and talk about the trama that is involved on the family while this project is taking place. As neat and clean and careful as we are to not over disturb the family members - it all gets too much sometimes. Some of your statements bother me greatly. You will drive up to 500 miles to buy in bulk? That is not logical - Will you then drive 500 miles to complain if some of the product is bad or not useable? Or to buy more if you need it? Leave this Money Pit to a single person or a young couple with no children - this is the last thing you need to put your family through. A project like this could easily cost you $100,000 if you want it done right. Look at these figures. Electrical $9,000 - $13,000 Hvac $10,000 - $15,000 Plumbing $5,000 - $10,000 does not include any fixtures or water heaters Roofing/Flashings/ $10,000 - $15,000 Windows $6,000 - $8,000 Siding/Chimney tuckpointing $6,500 - $8,500 Gutters/Downspouts $800- $1,000 Floor coverings $ 12,000 - $15,000 Lead Paint abatement if required $5,000 Interior wall repairs plaster/drywall $5,000 Interior painting $6,000 - $10,000 Kitchen cabinets/counters $25,000 + Insulation $4,000 - $6,000 Bath/Kitchen plumbing fixtures $10,000 + Lighting Fixtures interior/exterior $2,500 Well/Pump/etc. water lines to house if applicable $2,500 Porches/sidewalks/driveway $5,000 You won't need all of these maybe, but not being in the construction business you will surely overlook some of these and the dollar amounts that goes with them. This house probably isn't such a good buy at this price, it just seems that way to those who don't understand how costly this can be.

Q. We have a home in San Jose and wanted to add a master suite as a second floor addition and maybe even a den. Has anyone had an addition put on or are there any contractors out there who can answer this. I know you can't give me an exact without all the details, but a ball park figure would be appreciate. I was guessing 100K.

A. Sarah, there are way too many variables inherent of such a home addition project of yours, so what you really need is to get a local home remodeling contractor to give you the local rate for such a project. Ask for rough estimates doesn't get you any closer to truly understanding the costs involved, but may actually cause you to abandon a perfectly feasible project due to inaccuracy. Having a local contractor would permit you to better take advantage of being able to more accurately assess the situation in person. Fortunately, there are plenty of local remodeling contractors seeking to give free estimates with no obligation, and taking advantage of this is the consumer-smart way to go about finding an accurate answer to your question. It's important that you get a local estimate and not rely on guesses found here on Yah, as a lot of factors really bear on the cost of such a project, including the following: The cost of material and labor greatly varies by location. Definitely get estimates to start your exploration of the cost, as contractors would be delighted to give you free estimates anyway. A local remodeling contractor can easily assist you in this project of yours. If you negotiate well with the contractor and he buys the building materials for you, you may try to have him pass the discounted cost of the materials to you, as usually contractors get discounts (called "contractor's discounts") when buying from home improvement stores because of the many purchases they make as required by their jobs. As I said, Free estimates from local remodeling contractors are the key to your success in this home improvement project of yours. Here's a great link to a handyman site that offers free very resourceful information to assist you in determining the cost of your project, and, ultimately, selecting a local remodeling contractor in an effort to get the best deal for you: REMODELING CONTRACTOR INFO: http://yourhandymanzone.com/Your_Handyman_Zone_Free_Estimates_Additions.htm I'm sure you'll find the information you need, specifically the tips, useful as it relates to being treated fairly by contractors and exploring the consumer-wise approach of getting free written estimates to find the best contractor in your area. . . Source(s): The Internet is what I use. I'm pretty knowledgeable about the Internet. I have a firm belief in helping people with what I know, including from my development of sites, such as the one cited above. Sharing really is caring, and I wish those who I help can reciprocate by sharing what they know.