Fixed-rate vs. cost-plus contracts for remodeling (2026)
When you gather bids for a kitchen or whole house remodel, you'll run into two very different ways contractors price the work. A fixed-rate contract (also called fixed-price or lump-sum) gives you one total price for the whole project, agreed before construction starts. A cost-plus contract bills you for the
Design-Build vs. General Contractor: What’s the Difference?
The core difference between design-build and a general contractor comes down to contracts. A design-build firm handles both design and construction under a single contract with a single team. The general contractor model splits them, so you hire a designer or architect first, then hire a general contractor to build
How to choose a design-build firm in the DMV: a 2026 buyer’s guide
To choose a design-build firm in the DMV, start with the baseline: confirm the firm is licensed for your jurisdiction (Virginia, Maryland, or D.C. each have their own rules), carries general liability and workers' compensation insurance, and can show you a portfolio and references for projects like yours. Every serious
Whole House Remodel Cost Per Square Foot in the DC Metro (2026)
If you're budgeting a whole house remodel by the square foot, you've probably run into two very different numbers. National cost calculators put a whole house renovation at roughly $15 to $60 per square foot. In the Washington, D.C. metro, real projects routinely run several times that, with neutral local
Condo Remodel Cost in Washington, DC: 2026 Guide
A condo remodel in Washington, DC generally runs from about $25,000 for a midrange bathroom to roughly $80,000 for a major kitchen, with upscale kitchens and full-unit renovations reaching $160,000 or more. Those figures come from standardized 2024 Cost vs. Value job costs for the District, and they are only
Home Addition Cost in Northern Virginia: What to Budget in 2026
A home addition in Northern Virginia typically runs $150 to $500 per square foot. Most standard-to-premium projects land between roughly $130 and $260 per square foot, while the higher-cost submarkets like Arlington and Alexandria push toward $250 to $500. A 1,000-square-foot addition here can range from about $130,000 to more
