Top 13 Questions (And Answers) about Remodeling in Lancaster

Whether you’ve remodeled before or this is your first time, there are bound to be questions that arise as you’re thinking about your project. Our McLennan team wants to equip you with the information you need to feel confident and excited about your remodel. In this post we’ll share answers to some of the most frequently asked questions we hear from our clients.

1. What services do you provide?

Here at McLennan Contracting we specialize in interior home remodeling. This includes kitchen, bathroom, and basement remodels, as well as whole home remodeling. 

We are happy to help with anything from a simple refresh, which could be freshening up paint or updating hardware, to a full remodel. 

Whether you’re in need of a single room update, or a complete overhaul of your existing layout and finishes, our team is here to serve you.

2. What locations do you service?

Our service area includes most communities within the borders of Lancaster County, PA. As a general rule, we limit our services to homes that are located within a 30-minute drive of our office. 

This works best for our Design-Build process because it minimizes travel time for our team and enables us to work with our trusted trade partners and suppliers.

A few of our more popular areas in Lancaster County are Lititz, Manheim Township, Manheim, Leola, Landisville, and Millersville.

If your home is a bit outside this service area, don’t hesitate to reach out. Depending on our team’s availability, we might be able to accommodate you, so it never hurts to ask! 

3. What is Design-Build remodeling?

Design-build is a method of project delivery that’s proven to result in more efficient and cost-effective construction projects. It’s also the fastest-growing method of remodeling project delivery in North America. 

In the Design-Build model, the homeowner works with a team that is responsible for project planning, management, and construction. Combining all of these services under one roof makes it easier for the client to communicate with a single point of contact and have an enjoyable experience built on a solid relationship. 

At the heart of the Design-Build model is a strong emphasis on upfront planning. This is referred to as the Design phase, which is all about nailing down your project details. A good design allows you to know exactly what’s included in your project—right down to the final finishes—before construction starts, setting you up for a smooth, low-stress remodeling experience.  

4. How much will my project cost?

This can be a hard question to answer. No two projects, homes, or clients are identical. All of the moving factors impact the final project price.

Factors that can affect cost are layout, accessibility, and materials. All of these are figured out during the pre-project planning phase, where you can get a better idea of how much your project will cost.

Average Kitchen Remodel Cost

There is so much that goes into a kitchen remodel; mechanicals, accessibility, code requirements, project scope, and project finishes. All of these can determine your kitchen's final cost.

A kitchen refresh can cost anywhere from $20,000-$60,000. 

A midrange kitchen can cost anywhere from $65,000-$120,000.

A high-end kitchen remodel usually starts around $160,000.

Average Bathroom Remodel Cost

The average bathroom remodel cost can vary immensely. The age of the home can be a big contributing factor to a bathroom remodel due to all the mechanicals and plumbing factors that go into it. Cleanliness, water damage, mold, and asbestos are also common factors in bathrooms that contribute to the cost.

Unfortunately, a common misconception is that the smaller the bathroom the smaller the cost, but that is not always the case. Like any other project, it all comes down to the individual factors at play.

An average bathroom remodel generally ranges between $29,000-$90,000.

A high-end bathroom can start at $120,000.

Average Basement Remodel Cost

Just like kitchens and bathrooms, the cost of a basement remodel can vary. A lot depends on what you want to do with the space and what the existing conditions are. A basement can be anything from finished storage to a complete guest suite. 

The average cost of a finished storage basement can be between $27,000-$50,000.

The average home gym or rec room basement can cost between $45,000-$75,000.

The basement entertainment zone averages between $75,000-$150,000.

A basement guest suite that might incorporate a bathroom and entertainment area can range from $100,000 to $200,000.

Your choices, space, and selections all help to determine the final cost of your remodeling project.

5. Do all projects need to go through the design phase?

At its most basic definition, design means figuring out the details of a project. In that sense, every remodeling project needs some level of design. The question is, will the design happen at the beginning—before construction—or will it happen throughout the project.

Starting into the construction of a project without nailing down the details can add stress and frustration to the remodeling process. That’s why at McLennan, we work through the project details at the beginning. We want your remodel to be as smooth, efficient, and low-stress as possible.

Even though all projects need some level of design, the length of the design phase varies depending on the complexity of the project. Obviously a simple kitchen refresh will have fewer details to nail down than a whole home remodel, but the scope of the project isn’t the only factor. The design timeline is also impacted by the homeowner’s decision-making style. Some homeowners like to take their time exploring options, while others are quick to check decisions off their list. Our goal is to help guide you through the decision-making process with momentum, so the finished product is exactly what you hoped for.

6. What is Preliminary Design?

For projects that involve reworking a layout or moving structural or mechanical elements, Preliminary Design (sometimes called Conceptual Design or Feasibility Study) is an essential first step. It allows us to create a feasible design concept that meets your needs and accounts for any limitations or considerations unique to your existing structural or code requirements. This sets the groundwork for the next stage (the really fun part)—making the aesthetic decisions!

7. How long will my project take?

Remodeling project timelines are also dependent on a variety of factors, such as the client's availability and decision-making during design, lead times of special order products, and production schedule backlog. For that reason, it's hard to answer this question until we have worked through the pre-project planning phase. 

That being said, the average project development/design phase takes our clients between 4 and 12 weeks. Larger, whole-home projects that require more time and detail can take up to 6+ months to complete the design phase.

Between design and construction there is a pre-production period while we prepare your project schedule, confirm the availability of materials and trade partners, and get all the necessary permits in place. This process can take 4-8 weeks.

Once construction begins, the average kitchen, bathroom, or basement project can take 4 to 8 weeks. More complex and in-depth projects can take around 3 months to complete.

The average customer journey, from beginning of the process to completion, can take anywhere from 2.5 months to 8 months.

8. How do I speed up the process?

There are three key things that can be done to speed things up.  

1. One of the largest contributors is time and availability. The availability to line up everyone's schedule during the design process can be tricky. Between showroom hours, work commitments and family activities, there are seldom perfect times that work with everyone's schedule. The more flexible that you can be, the faster things should progress.
2. Another contributor is being decisive. Knowing what you want and being able to make decisions sounds easy, but it often proves difficult for many homeowners. This factor is perhaps the single greatest element that impacts the duration of the design process. Making decisions can become difficult when tied to the total investment for your project. More often than not, the cost of an item is directly related to quality and desirability, and therefore most people are drawn to things that stretch their initial investment range. This can make that decision process more challenging than expected. 
3. The third thing that can have a huge impact on your project timing is understanding your financial options and where additional funds can be found if you do discover that the things you want are adding to your desired budget. Having financing in place before starting design can give you flexibility to adjust your budget if needed without delaying the start of your project.

9. Do you have predefined selections we have to pick from, or can we choose what we want?

One of the strengths of the Design-Build model is that it allows us to customize product selections to your style. Every person's vibe is unique, and our goal is to make sure your project is a reflection of you. So instead of having predefined selections, we help you select items that fit the vision and cost range you’re looking for. This approach gives you freedom to pursue any style you choose, and make intentional choices about your project budget.

10. I’m not available during the day, can we do all of our appointments in the evening and on the weekends?

There’s no getting around the fact that planning a remodel requires a commitment of time and energy. We understand that life is full, so we do our best to accommodate your schedule.

We also try to honor McLennan’s core value of providing a healthy work-rest balance for our team. This means some design meetings can be scheduled during non-traditional hours, but those opportunities will be limited. And some appointments—particularly showroom visits—will need to be held during traditional workday hours.

Bottom line: the best design schedule is built on the flexibility of all parties.

11. Can I make changes after I sign the contract?

The Design-Build process is intended to nail down all the details of your project up front. This makes the production phase of your project more efficient, cost-effective, and predictable. However, we want you to have the flexibility to make adjustments even after the contract is signed.

We do this through our change order process. We write up the adjustments you’ve requested and any associated costs or credits. Then you have the opportunity to review the change before approving it.

12. What do I need to be present for during my remodel?

One of the benefits of our planning process is that it minimizes the need for you to be on-site while your project is being built. We do ask you to be present for a pre-project walkthrough with the designer, lead carpenter, and production manager. And if your project involves countertop installation, we also ask you to be present for templating.

Apart from these events, our team is equipped to bring your project to life using the highly detailed scope of work and construction documents created during design.

13. What are my payment options?

We offer a variety of payment options to ensure that the process of transforming your home is as stress-free and convenient as possible. For online payments, we accept most major credit cards and ACH bank transfers through a trusted and secure payment platform. We also accept payment by check.

If you're interested in remodel financing options, we partner with Acorn Finance to give you access to convenient home improvement loans and an easy pre-qualification process.

At McLennan Contracting, we understand that your home remodeling project is a significant investment. If you have any questions about our payment options, please feel free to ask. We're here to help make your home remodeling project a success!

Still have questions?

If you still have some questions about your remodel, don't hesitate to reach out to talk to an expert. Schedule a call with our project consultant to get those questions answered.