Resources
Planning Resources
Straightforward guides to help you plan: what drives cost, how permits work, how long projects take and what to ask before you hire anyone — us included.
Materials 2 min read
Choosing Durable Materials for Your Climate
How climate zone, moisture, flood, wind and wildfire risk should shape your choice of windows, insulation, roofing, siding and floors, with official sources to check.
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More planning guides
Remodel planning 2 min read
How to Define the Scope of a Kitchen or Bathroom Remodel
What to decide before you ask for prices on a kitchen or bathroom remodel, what to put in writing, and which ventilation and older-home issues to check.
Home additions 3 min read
Planning a Home Addition: Zoning, Setbacks and Structure
What to check before you design a home addition: zoning limits and setbacks, flood maps, underground utilities, the existing structure, and how the addition ties in.
Permit preparation 2 min read
Preparing for a Building Permit: What Homeowners Should Know
How building permits work for remodels and additions, what to gather before you apply, who should pull the permit, and extra checks for flood zones and digging.
Contractor selection 3 min read
Questions to Ask Before You Hire a Contractor
What to check before you sign: license or registration lookups, proof of insurance, written estimates and contracts, change orders, payments and lien waivers.
Project schedules 2 min read
How Long a Remodel Takes and What Changes the Schedule
Why remodeling schedules vary, the phases most projects move through, and the common causes of delay, from permits and lead times to hidden conditions.
Cost drivers 2 min read
What Drives the Cost of a Remodeling Project
The main factors that move remodeling cost up or down, from scope and layout changes to hidden conditions and code-triggered work, and how to compare estimates.
Images are illustrative and created for this website. Guides are general information — rules and costs vary by location.
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