The Tale Of Two Remodels

A Tale of Two Remodels

Planning a remodel can be a real challenge, especially if you have never remodelled before. It’s difficult to decipher estimates… you might not even know the right questions to ask!

Most people remodel a kitchen or bath only once every 15 or 20 years so getting it right the first time is imporant.

We all know intuitively that the cheapest price is usually not the best value but that can be hard to put into practice for high cost items like a remodel.

Take for example the stories of Alice and Jenna….

Story 1: Young Alice’s First Remodel

Alice had disliked her kitchen ever since she bought her first home 2 years ago.  The cabinets were an ugly color, and there wasn’t enough counter space or storage.

After saving for years, she did her research on contractors and got three quotes—$73K, $52K, and $43K, from Tallahassee contractors.

The high quote was with what she considered the best company, but it was expensive. She thought the contractor who provided the lowest quote may lack experience. The middle quote did not provide the same level of service as the high quote but she thought it might be OK.

So she went with the $52K bid. She thought it struck a balance between cost, quality, and level of service. But unfortunately, Alice did not know what she did not know.

What Alice Didn’t Know

As Alice learned over time, the middle quote was missing a few key items

• • It didn’t come with design work, she had to hire a designer
  • The contractor or designer did not help with material ordering or storage
  • The contractor and designer did not coordinate well with each other
  • The contractor did not plan to be on site every day of the project
  • There was no pre-construction planning or scheduling

Added Costs and Confusion

Added costs

• • She wound up hiring a designer for an additional $2500

  • Alice had to spend several weekends ordering everything herself and driving around town to pick everything up, then store it in her spare bedroom.
• • During construction, the contractor realized the designer had designed some things that violated the building code, and the changes added cost to the project
• • Alice misordered some materials because of the confusion between the contractor and the designer, reordering them delayed her project and cost her extra money.

Added Confusion 

• • Without daily oversight, there were a lot of quality control issues
  • The lack of pre-construction planning meant things did not run on time, there were a lot of delays, and people would show up at random times to do work
  • The project wrapped up, but the kitchen never felt right.
  • Missed design opportunities do to an inexperienced designer

Lessons Learned:

The remodel wasn’t great from the start, and things got worse over time. It took twice a long as expected, and the quality of work did not make her happy. Most of the items were addressed, but it took weeks and weeks to get them completed.

Turns out the designer she hired was not trained in kitchen design, and after using the kitchen for a few months, she realized there were serious layout issues that could have been avoided.

Unfortunately, quality control issues continued to show up for years, and things had to be redone. The original contractor only had a 1-year warranty and refused to address them so she had to spend more money to fix the faulty work.

She wishes she’d asked more questions up front—and picked a team that managed every step, not just the install.

Story 2: Jenna’s 3rd Home Remodel

Jenna had a different experience. This was her third remodel—and after a couple bad ones, she knew the red flags. She’d dealt with shoddy work and missed deadlines before, so this time, she wasn’t taking any chances.

She also got 3 quotes…..

What Jenna Knew to Look For

Instead of focusing on cost, Jenna focused on what was being provided. Previous remodel mistakes had taught her to look for

• • Full design support with 3D renderings
  • Daily project oversight
  • Pre-ordered, high-quality materials
  • A clear process from start to finish

After evaluating the quotes, Jenna chose the highest one because that was the only contractor who offered all the services and the level of quality she knew she wanted.

Avoided Extra Cost and Confusion

No Surprise Costs

• • Jenna’s contractor had experienced designers who worked hand-in-hand with the project manager from day one. They checked in with each other daily.
  • The plans were dialed in early, and the budget matched the final bill. No surprises.
  • Materials? Ordered ahead, double-checked, and safely stored. Nothing started until everything was ready.
  • Subcontractors were lined up and reliable—no missed days or mix-ups.
  • Daily walk-throughs caught small issues before they turned into big ones

Clear Communication, Better Design

• • The design team didn’t just ask what style Jenna liked—they asked how her family actually lives in the space. That made the difference.
  • They factored in little habits: where she drops groceries, how tall her kids are, and how often the whole family cooks together.
  • Because of those conversations, they avoided “looks good on paper” problems—and built a kitchen that truly works in real life.
  • She always knew who to call. One point of contact kept everything simple.
  • With everyone aligned from day one, the remodel stayed smooth and stress-free.

Lessons Learned

This was Jenna’s favorite remodel yet. Having one team for design, materials, scheduling, and daily progress. It meant she never had to stress about what was happening or when.

Everything felt thought-through. Every cabinet, outlet, and walkway worked with the way her family actually lives.

And here’s the best part—it’s been years, and she hasn’t had to fix or redo a single thing.

Jenna got what she paid for: peace of mind, a space that fits her family, and a remodel she still loves today.

12 Questions to Ask When Choosing a Contractor

Jenna got it right because she asked the right questions up front. If you want to avoid costly surprises and second remodels, here are a few smart questions to ask every contractor before you sign:

1. Are you licensed and insured? 
2. Is design work included? 
3. Who handles permits and inspections? 
4. Who orders and stores the materials? .
5. Do you have a project manager on site every day?
6. How often do your projects finish on time? 
7. How do you handle delays or damaged items? 
8. Do you offer a warranty?
9. Can I see examples of past work—like kitchens in homes similar to mine?
10. What’s your change order policy?
11. Who do I talk to if there’s an issue during construction?
12. How do you vet your subcontractors? 

Want more guidance? We break down how to compare contractors the smart way in this post: Choosing the Right Remodel Contractor

Can You Really Afford to Remodel Twice?

Choosing the lowest bid can feel like the safest way to keep a kitchen remodel on budget, yet price alone rarely tells the whole story.

What a Low Quote Often Leaves Out 

A remodel is a complex blend of design expertise, meticulous planning, precise scheduling, and skilled craftsmanship. When one contractor’s number comes in significantly below the rest, it often signals that something essential—scope, materials, labor hours, or project management—has been left out of the calculation.

Hidden Costs Show Up Later

Those “missing pieces” tend to resurface later as surprise change orders, schedule delays, or quality compromises that ultimately drive the final cost (and stress level) well above the initial savings.

Don’t Overlook the Invisible Layers

Long-term value also lives in the “invisible” layers of a job: proper electrical loads for new appliances, moisture management behind that gorgeous backsplash, clear documentation that preserves your warranty rights.

Safeguards Are Worth the Investment

The upfront number may be higher, but it includes the safeguards that protect your home, your schedule, and your peace of mind.

Ultimately, a kitchen remodel should be measured not by the initial quote but by the finished space you’ll live with for decades.

Remodel Once—Not Twice

Lowest bids often become the most expensive choice once hidden costs, schedule overruns, and quality fixes are tallied.

Selecting a contractor who prioritizes transparent pricing, thoughtful design, and craftsmanship you can trust is the surest way to make sure you remodel once and don’t have to do it over.

Before | After

Drag the slider to see this project transformation!

5 Keys to a Remodel You Don’t Have to Do Twice

Remodeling isn’t something you should have to do more than once. These five steps set the foundation for a remodel that actually lasts:

1. Start with a solid plan. Think 3D renderings, clear scope of work, and real numbers—not vague ballpark quotes from your contractor.

2. Your contractor should finalize all your materials and design choices before demo starts. That way, there are no surprises halfway through.

3. The contractor’s team should prep everything—permits, schedules, and setup—before anyone swings a hammer.

4. Look for daily jobsite management that helps catch issues early. A good project manager makes all the difference.

5. After it’s done, there should still be support. Look for contractors who offer follow-up visits and a solid warranty.

These five steps help you avoid the common traps that lead to remodeling regret.