General Contractor Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

Question 1

What Areas Of Phoenix Do You Serve As A General Contractor?

Accepted Answer

Phoenix Home Remodeling serves as a general contractor in Ahwatukee, Sun Lakes, Chandler, Gilbert, and Tempe. For more information on where we service and if we will be a good fit for your home remodeling project, check out our good fit page. The areas we service are very important due to efficiency and providing homeowners with the best general contracting service possible. If we had to run around from north Scottsdale down to south Chandler several times a day, we couldn't get to our homeowners nearly as fast and a lot of time would be wasted in the car instead of with the homeowner or working on the remodel project.

Question 2

What General Contracting Services Do You Offer?

Accepted Answer

As a licensed general contractor (ROC# 313636), we offer comprehensive interior home remodeling services including kitchen remodeling ($50,000-$150,000), master bathroom remodeling ($35,000-$75,000), guest bathroom remodeling ($20,000-$30,000), shower remodeling ($10,000-$30,000), laundry room remodeling ($10,000-$25,000), and entertainment wall remodeling ($10,000-$30,000). We also handle whole home remodeling projects. Unlike basic general contractors, we use a design-build business model where all clients purchase our Feasibility, Planning, and Design package to avoid common contractor nightmares. We focus on interior renovations only - no exterior projects.

Question 3

Why Do Contractors Have Such A Bad Reputation?

Accepted Answer

Contractors rank second in consumer complaints in the United States, only behind used car dealerships. When you factor in how many contractor transactions there are compared to auto dealership transactions, contractors actually have the most complaints per transaction in the entire United States. Common issues include bait-and-switch pricing, budget overruns, project delays, poor communication, subpar workmanship, and contractors walking off unfinished projects. Our mission is to help improve the industry's reputation in Arizona by providing homeowners with a great experience, hiring and training local employees, and educating other contractors and the community. We're helping the industry's reputation, one great remodel at a time.

Question 4

How Is Your Design-Build Model Different From Basic General Contractors?

Accepted Answer

Basic general contractors typically spend an hour or so at your home and then give you a price to sign - you're essentially buying air. Our design-build model requires all clients to first purchase our Feasibility, Planning, and Design package. This means you pay us to do all the designing, planning, and feasibility work first, so once you're finished with our in-house designer, you know exactly how much your project will cost because all your items have been picked out and everything is planned out. This dramatically reduces stress, reduces construction time, eliminates surprise costs, and ensures you get exactly what you want. You can test-drive our services through the design phase without being obligated to do the construction with us.

Question 5

How Do You Avoid The Bait-And-Switch Pricing Common With Contractors?

Accepted Answer

We're trained from day one to be 100% honest and upfront about true costs. We could easily lower our prices and then ask for more money once we start (a common contractor practice), but we refuse to hurt our integrity or brand by doing that. Here's what many homeowners don't realize: if a contractor has you sign an agreement and then asks for $10,000 more, if you don't pay them, you're actually in breach of contract. They can put a lien on your house or walk off the job. We use in-house estimators, cost catalogs, and pricing software to give you accurate pricing before construction starts. Our design-build approach means everything is planned and priced upfront with no surprises.

Question 6

What Makes You Different From Other General Contractors?

Accepted Answer

We eliminate contractor nightmares through our unique design-build process. You get: 1) No surprise costs through honest, locked-in pricing using specialized software, 2) On-schedule completion using project management systems with Gantt charts and 24/7 client access, 3) Meticulous workmanship with in-house craftsmen and tile experts, 4) Custom designs with our in-house designer and 3D renderings before construction starts, 5) Real-time communication through dedicated project managers and homeowner portal with daily updates, 6) Respect for your home with plastic zip walls, air scrubbers, and protective measures, 7) Full licensing, bonding, and insurance protection, 8) A proven process that plans everything upfront, and 9) Integrity-based approach that refuses to play games with your money or home.

Question 7

What's Your Sales Process Like As A General Contractor?

Accepted Answer

We hate high-pressure sales tactics and instead focus on education since most homeowners only remodel 1-5 times in their lifetime. Our process starts with an initial phone consultation where we discuss your project goals and provide a rough cost range to ensure we're a good fit personality-wise and budget-wise. If we match well, we schedule an in-home evaluation to take measurements and discuss your vision in detail. We then create a detailed scope of work and pricing proposal. At no point do we pressure you to make a decision. We want you to want to work with us because remodeling is relationship-driven and we'll be working closely together. You can learn more about our respectful process and schedule a call on our process page.

Question 8

Why Should I Choose A Licensed General Contractor?

Accepted Answer

One of the major problems with using an unlicensed contractor is there's very little recourse you or the ROC (Registrar of Contractors) can take if things go wrong. If they aren't licensed, the ROC doesn't have a license to suspend or revoke. There is very little recourse a homeowner has when an unlicensed contractor walks away from a project or won't fix their problems. General contracting involves complex work across multiple trades, and proper licensing ensures expertise and accountability. You can check any contractor's license at https://roc.az.gov/ - our ROC# is 313636. We also carry full workers' compensation and liability insurance to protect you from any liability if someone gets hurt on your project.

Question 9

Do You Provide Free General Contracting Estimates?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we provide free estimates. On the initial phone call we review your remodeling needs and provide a rough estimate range over the phone. If it seems like a good fit for both of us and the range is within your target investment, we schedule the in-home evaluation. After the in-home visit, we create a detailed scope of work and setup a second meeting to go through your detailed renovation plan and pricing. We then discuss our Feasibility, Planning and Design Package, which is our design-build business model where we plan everything out in advance before starting construction. This process ensures exact costs are calculated and eliminates the contractor surprises that are all too common in our industry.

Question 10

How Do You Handle Project Management And Communication?

Accepted Answer

Unlike many general contractors who leave you in the dark, we prioritize communication throughout your project. You get a dedicated Project Manager as your single point of contact from start to finish. We use BuilderTrend project management software that provides you with 24/7 access to scheduling, daily logs, progress photos, financial tracking, selection items, change orders, and messaging. You always know what's happening and when - no chasing us for answers. Our project management system uses Gantt charts and automated to-dos to keep your remodel on time and on track. Many homeowners love being able to check progress even when they're on vacation or away for a few days.

Question 11

What Should I Look For In A General Contractor?

Accepted Answer

Look for these key qualities: 1) Transparency in pricing, timelines, and potential challenges, 2) Strong references and consistent 5-star reviews from past clients, 3) Organization and professionalism in all interactions, 4) Proper licensing, bonding, and insurance, 5) Design-build expertise that handles both design and construction, 6) Detailed written contracts with clear scope, materials, and payment schedules, 7) Good communication and responsiveness, and 8) A proven process that plans everything upfront. Red flags include: showing up late without notice, high-pressure sales tactics, vague contracts, inability to provide licensing/insurance documentation, door-to-door solicitation, and demanding large upfront payments. We provide a contractor checklist to help homeowners evaluate any contractor they're considering.

Question 12

How Do You Keep My Home Clean During Construction?

Accepted Answer

We understand construction can be messy, but we take extensive measures to protect your home and minimize disruption. We use plastic zip walls (floor-to-ceiling barriers), the industry's best air filters called BuildCleans, drop cloths, protective mats, and ask that all items are removed from construction areas. We keep job sites as clean as possible, though some phases will naturally be messier than others. Our crew is known in reviews for respecting homeowners' spaces and maintaining cleanliness throughout projects. If someone in the household is sensitive to dust or odors, we can coordinate timing for when they might want to be out of the house during particularly dusty phases like demolition.

Question 13

Do You Guarantee Your Work As A General Contractor?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. We provide a 2-year warranty on all services, labor, and workmanship, plus a 1-year warranty on materials. Appliances and fixtures are covered by manufacturer warranties which usually range from 1-3 years. The exception is if we reinstall a used item (like an existing light fixture you want to keep) and it breaks later due to age, not our workmanship. This is rare since most remodels involve all new materials. Our warranty coverage is especially important given the complex nature of general contracting work that spans multiple trades and systems in your home.

Question 14

What's The Biggest Mistake Homeowners Make When Hiring A General Contractor?

Accepted Answer

The biggest mistake is choosing based solely on the lowest price. If you keep asking for proposals and reducing the amount you tell contractors you'll pay, you'll find someone who will underbid to get the job - then all the contractor nightmare stories become reality. Cheap contractors often use bait-and-switch tactics, cut corners on quality, don't carry proper insurance, or abandon projects when they realize they underbid. The cheapest option often becomes the most expensive in the long run due to poor quality and additional hidden costs. Another major mistake is not properly vetting contractors - failing to check licenses, insurance, references, and reviews. We recommend using our contractor evaluation checklist to avoid these costly mistakes.

Question 15

How Long Do Your General Contracting Projects Take?

Accepted Answer

Project timelines depend on the scope, size, complexity, materials selected, and how much electrical, plumbing, or structural work is needed. Each project timeline is specific to that particular remodel. We want to finish projects as fast as possible since every day of delay costs us money, so we don't want projects going longer than necessary. We use advanced project management software with Gantt Charts, automated to-dos, messaging and other features to progress your remodel as fast as can be safely done while maintaining high quality. Our design-build approach actually reduces project time because everything is planned in advance, eliminating delays from design decisions or material selection during construction.

Question 16

Can I Make Changes Once Construction Has Started?

Accepted Answer

As long as the work hasn't been completed, we can usually accommodate changes. If the project hasn't started, changes are much easier to handle. It's common to want a couple small tweaks before the project starts and that's normal. If there's a change you want to make, or something we discover during demolition that requires adjustment, we explain it to you, review options, and create what's called a change work order. The change work order makes everything very clear and is accessible in your homeowner portal. You approve change orders through our software so there are no financial surprises. This systematic approach prevents the change order chaos that often happens with basic general contractors.

Question 17

What Financing Options Do You Offer For Home Remodeling?

Accepted Answer

We accept credit cards with a 3% fee for Visa, MasterCard, and Discover, and 4% for AMEX to cover our merchant account fees. There are many options for remodeling financing beyond credit cards. Our co-owner Jeremy has his bachelor's degree in Finance and has written detailed articles on the pros and cons of various remodel financing options including home equity loans, home equity lines of credit, cash-out refinancing, personal loans, and contractor financing programs. We can provide educational resources to help you understand which financing option might work best for your situation and budget.

Question 18

Will You Look At A House We're Considering Purchasing?

Accepted Answer

Once you have signed a contract on a house, we would love to get the ball rolling on planning your remodel. We have found from our years of experience that looking at houses that are not under contract can be a huge time commitment, so we had to make the decision to progress the conversation once a contract has been signed. If you're looking to get ballpark numbers for remodeling different areas, check out our online kitchen and bathroom cost calculators. This helps you understand potential remodeling costs when evaluating properties to purchase.

Question 19

How Do You Handle Permits And HOA Approvals?

Accepted Answer

As a licensed general contractor, we handle all necessary permits and coordinate HOA approvals when required for your project. During our pre-construction phase, we identify what permits are needed, obtain them, and ensure all work meets local building codes and HOA requirements. If structural work is involved, we coordinate with structural engineers as needed. Our project management system tracks all permit requirements and inspections to keep your project compliant and on schedule. This is another advantage of working with a properly licensed contractor versus unlicensed handymen who often skip permit requirements, potentially causing problems when you sell your home.

Question 20

What Happens If You Find Problems During Demolition?

Accepted Answer

It's common to discover issues during demolition that weren't visible beforehand - things like outdated wiring, plumbing problems, water damage, or structural concerns. When we find these issues, we immediately document them with photos, explain the situation to you, and provide options for addressing the problem. We create change work orders that clearly outline the additional work needed and associated costs. You approve any additional work through our homeowner portal before we proceed. Our experience helps us anticipate potential issues during the planning phase, but when surprises do occur, our systematic approach ensures transparent communication and fair pricing. This proactive problem-solving approach prevents the project delays and disputes that often happen with less organized contractors.

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