We will help you shape and keep to a budget that makes your home work for your life.

EXPERIENCED GUIDANCE TO SHAPE YOUR BUDGET

It’s our mission to understand you. Tell us your needs and tell us your dreams. We’ll give shape to your ideas with your budget in mind, accounting for home health, environmental impact, local codes, universal design, and energy efficiency every step of the way.

FINDING THE BALANCE BETWEEN COST AND VALUE

Clients often struggle to determine what their budget should be to create the home of their dreams. While this list is based on both industry averages and our own, each project is different and our proposals are based on your home, existing conditions and the steps we will take to make your dream house a reality.

STRATEGIES TO ENSURE YOU RECOUP YOUR INVESTMENT

Our team keeps your investment in your home in mind in every step of the process. We will make recommendations the ensure you spend your money well and recoup your expenses should you sell your home.

Setting Expectations

Building a new home or a major renovation is an opportunity to meet your exact design and usability requirements, all while increasing property value. Each home or property presents unique conditions requiring different design and construction strategies as well as permitting requirements. Timelines vary for the same variable conditions and requirements, but our experience tells us we can generally set your expectations while we finish design development.

We find that permitting for a straight-forward “by right” project takes 3 – 4 months in the District and a whole home renovation or large addition can take 5-8 months from start to finish. Every project has unique sets of conditions and we can walk you through all those details when we get into your specific circumstances.

Local Pricing Guidelines

While each project is different in exact details and potential challenges, below is a guideline for typical local costs for construction.

Complete Gut Renovation or New House
Complete gut, tear down or ground up new build. Also, whole-house renovation. This includes all kitchen and baths.
$200 to $350 /sq.ft.

Third Story Addition
Remove the roof and add a level to your home.
$150,000 to $300,000

Multi-Story Addition
Rear or side addition to an existing house and could include new story.
$200,000 to $350,000

One-Story Addition
Family room or bedroom type – no plumbing, minimal structural work.
$100,000 to $200,000

Basement Dig-Out
Excavate the basement to lower the slab, rework structure, possible underpinning and finish as living space; add egress, windows, heating/cooling. There is a wide range depending on extent of excavation.
$150,000 to $400,000

Finish Existing Space
Finish existing basement or attic.
$200 to $300/sq.ft.

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