Do you have a question that is not answered here? Please contact us!
Q: How long have you been in business? A: We have been in the business since 2006
Q: How soon can you start the job? A: It depends on the size of the job. Please use our contact page to make an appointment for an estimate. We would love to hear from you!
Q: How long will the job take to finish? A: It depends on the size and type of the job. Our recent contracts have ranged from just a few days to several months Please use our contact page to make an appointment for an estimate. We would love to hear from you!
Q: Do you charge by the hour or by the job? A: We usually provide an estimate for each job.
Q: Do you charge for an estimate? A: Our estimates are free of charge!
If the project is a traveling distance of 50 miles or more from the office location, there will be a small fee of $25 for getting an estimate.
Q: Where are you located? A: We are located in El Cajon and work all over San Diego County.
Q: Are you licensed, bonded and insured? A: Yes we are! Our CA State License # is 930359. We are also bonded and insured!
Q: What makes a kitchen more or less expensive? A: Cabinets account for about half the total cost of the project and will have the greatest impact on your budget. They range in price considerably based on quality, the type of material they are made of and whether they are stock (ready made in specific sizes) or custom (produced specifically for your kitchen in whatever sizes are needed).
The material you choose for surfaces including counters, backsplashes and floors can also account for variations in price. Other key elements that factor in to the equation are talent and workmanship. In the remodeling business, you tend to get what you pay for. An accomplished designer, skilled contractor and expert installation crew may cost more. But you'll appreciate their ability every time you use your kitchen.
Q: How can I possibly pay for my remodeling project? A: Like any major purchase, you should only spend what you can afford to spend. That means setting a budget and sticking to it. If you work with us, we'll help you make the best of it and we'll respect the budget you've set and still make your remodeling project a success!
As for payment, there are a number of options. Some homeowners tap into personal savings to get the kitchen of their dreams. Others take out home equity loans. Many times if you're buying a house and know you'll need to remodel the kitchen, you may be able to incorporate the costs in your mortgage.
Q: Is the contractor in charge of getting any permits that are needed or is it the
homeowner’s responsibility? A: The contractor is the one that should be responsible, since they are more familiar about what the city or county requires to get the permits for job. Despite what anyone may tell you, most construction projects — including plumbing and electrical relocation projects — require a city-issued building permit.
While this means paying a few dollars more to ensure everything is done properly, having that permit means all construction codes are being adhered to and your home won’t be in danger of electrical fire or numerous other potential problems. It also means you won’t have to pay fines, penalties, or need to return the site to its original condition if it comes out you didn’t get a permit when you should have.
Since many homeowners insurance policies require permits on any major remodeling in order to maintain your coverage, having that permit also immediately eliminates a major stumbling block in case you ever need to file a claim…even if it’s years from now.
Q: What about your payment schedule? A: We usually require 10% or a maximum of $1000 upon signing of contract. Additional payments are divided based on a schedule of payment according to the type of job. Payments will be collected upon completion of specific stages or construction phases. The balance (10 percent maximum) is paid when the job is complete.
Q: How is the square footage for new homes or remodeling calculated? A: There are a lot of different methods for determining square footage. We usually use the out to out method -- outside of exterior wall to outside of exterior wall. This would include the thickness of the walls, duct chases and chimneys, of course, so you can't go on inside room dimensions alone.
For example if the foundation measures 40'x 26' and the house is two stories high then the square footage is 40x26x2=2080. This would include only "finished space"--i.e. insulated, heated, sheet rocked area. Crawl spaces, unheated attics, garages etc. are usually not included. Two story foyers or vaulted ceilings may or may not be included.
Q: Why do different builders have different costs per square foot? A: The cost per square foot is a rough "ball-park" figure used to calculate approximate building costs. Each builder bases the cost on actual materials and fixtures to be used. Obviously if one builder uses only hardwood flooring and another always uses economy grade carpet the "cost per square foot" will differ significantly.
Q: Do you provide a warranty or a guarantee? A: Ashby Remodeling & Services guarantees all work performed by us. The duration of the guarantee depends
upon the type of job.
