Why We Give You a Preliminary Estimate Before Design Begins

One of the most common worries homeowners have about remodeling is simple: What if I fall in love with a design I can't afford?

It's a fair question. Too often, homeowners spend months on plans and selections, only to learn at the very end that the project costs far more than they expected. By then, they've invested time, energy and money, and they're left choosing between going over budget and starting over.

We built our process to avoid that. Before any design work begins, we give you a preliminary estimate, essentially a ballpark range for your project, so you know where you stand from the start.

How It Works

1. A complimentary phone consultation. Every project begins with a conversation. We'll talk through your goals, your home and your budget. If you can share a few photos or a short video of the space, it helps us understand your project even before we visit.

2. A visit to your home. Next, we'll come see the space in person. We'll take measurements, look at existing conditions and get a feel for how you live and what you want the space to feel like.

3. Your preliminary estimate. Within about 7–10 business days of your home visit, we'll share a preliminary estimate as a courtesy. It gives you a realistic range for your project based on its size, scope and the level of finishes you have in mind.

4. Then, design. If the range fits your goals, we move forward with a design agreement. That's when the detailed work begins: layouts, 3D renderings and selections with our Senior Designer, Gina Perego. And if you move forward with construction, your design fee is credited toward your project.

Why We Do It This Way

You make decisions with real numbers. A preliminary estimate means you can decide whether to move forward before investing in design, not after.

Your design starts with your budget. Knowing the range up front lets us design toward it from day one, instead of designing first and pricing later.

Fewer surprises. As you make selections, we show how each choice affects the total. You'll know where to splurge, where to save and where your budget stands, so there are no surprises when it's time to sign.

It respects your time. Remodeling is a big decision. You deserve to know early whether a project makes sense for you.

What Affects Your Estimate

Every home is different, so every estimate is too. A few factors make the biggest difference:

• Size and layout: moving walls, plumbing or windows adds more than updating in place.

• Finishes: cabinetry, countertops, tile and fixtures span a wide range.

• Existing conditions: older homes can hold surprises behind the walls, which we look for during the home visit.

• Scope: a single room versus connected spaces or a whole level.

For reference, bathrooms typically start around $45,000, kitchens and lower levels around $75,000, and whole-home renovations around $250,000. Our Pricing Guide and Real Project Investments page share more detail.

What Happens Next

Your preliminary estimate is a starting point, not a final price. Once design begins, your plans, selections and final estimate come together, and you'll approve everything before construction starts. Along the way, you'll see your space in 3D, meet with Gina regularly and always know what comes next.

It's a process our clients appreciate, and it's part of what has earned our work four NARI Remodeler of the Year awards.

Ready to Start?

If you're thinking about a kitchen, bathroom, lower level, addition or whole-home renovation in Lake Country or Waukesha County, we'd love to hear about it.

Book a complimentary phone consultation, and we'll help you understand what your project could look like and what it could cost before you commit to anything.

Call our office at (262) 326-0207 or book online.