Frequently Asked Questions
Blackdog Design/Build/Remodel
Ask a Remodeling Contractor Anything
A great remodeling experience starts with asking the right questions—about process, pricing, timelines, and what life will actually look like during construction. A reputable contractor should welcome those questions and answer them clearly, without pressure.
One of The Best Remodeling Contractors Near You
At Blackdog Design/Build/Remodel, we encourage homeowners to ask anything—because an informed client is a confident client. Whether you're just starting to explore ideas or ready to take the next step, transparency is where great projects begin. No matter which of our services you're interested in, these questions apply. We proudly serve homeowners throughout Hillsborough and Rockingham Counties in New Hampshire, and Essex and Middlesex Counties in Massachusetts .
If you're still researching, you're always welcome to browse our portfolio. Seeing real projects, real homes, and real transformations is one of the best ways to start envisioning what’s possible in your own space.
/1%20(1).jpg?width=750&height=501&name=1%20(1).jpg "Angled view of a modern kitchen remodel in Hollis, NH, by Blackdog Design/Build/Remodel, highlighting an oversized island with a white quartz countertop, walnut cabinetry, pendant lights, and abundant natural light.")
FAQs About Working With Blackdog Design/Build/Remodel
What Should Someone Expect When Working With Blackdog Design/Build/Remodel?
Through our years of dedicated service, we have developed a streamlined process to ensure the most stress-free, enjoyable experience for our valued clients. Here’s what to expect:
- Getting to know you: We’ll learn about you and your project, taking the time to understand your project goals and why they exist.
- Beginning the design phase: Once you’ve signed our Partner Plan, our in-house designers will start shaping your unique vision into reality and provide a preliminary budget.
- Signing the project agreement: We’ll determine your payment schedule and provide a complete project timeline, including the start date and approximate construction duration.
- Building your unique space: We’ll begin with a pre-construction meeting, giving the project a detailed review and discussing day-to-day logistics before we dive in to bring your vision to life.
- Peace of mind warranty: Once your project is complete, you’ll have ultimate peace of mind knowing our unbeatable three-year warranty protects your project.
Are you a “Green Builder”?
“Green building” in New Hampshire and Massachusetts can mean different things to different people. At Blackdog Design/Build/Remodel, we don’t consider ourselves experts in “green building,” but we strive to conserve fuel and energy wherever possible and recommend Freecycle.org to clients looking to dispose of products in a more eco-friendly way.
Do you use trade contractors?
We use trade contractors licensed in either Massachusetts or New Hampshire for many trades, including electrical work, plumbing, insulation, sheetrock, floor finishing, roofing, and painting. We help save money in home remodeling by employing specialists in these fields.
Our trade contractors undergo a rigorous vetting process that we’ve had in place since 1989. We require proof of proper license and insurance from each trade contractor, giving you ultimate peace of mind. Part of our end-to-end design/build process is bringing the best people to the table with us.
Do you have architects on staff?
No, but don't leave quite yet. While we don't directly employ architects, our designers and sales staff come from diverse professional backgrounds, enabling them to craft beautiful projects and collaborate closely with each client.
If structural engineering is necessary for your project, we’ll contract a licensed architectural expert.
Do You Provide a Warranty on Your Work?
Remodels are an important part of any project. Blackdog Design/Build/Remodel is proud to provide an industry-leading 3-year warranty on every project we develop, ensuring your complete peace of mind long after the final touches on your renovation.
FAQs About the Remodeling Experience
What home remodeling projects add the most value to a home?
Kitchen renovations, bathroom remodels, and home additions are typically the projects that add the most value to your home in Southern NH or Northeastern MA.
Most importantly, you should invest in a remodel that is important to you and your goals.
Can Homeowners Bring in Their Own Remodeling Materials?
While we may accept some remodeling materials or products from the client, in general, it’s best to leave this step to the renovation experts to ensure order accuracy, timeliness, quality shipping, and order completion.
Can Homeowners Bring in Their Own Interior Designers?
We’re happy to work with outside designers to help bring your unique vision to life. Any work a client wishes to complete on their own that they’re legally permitted to do inside their own home and doesn’t intersect with the critical path of our work schedule may be completed by the client.
When is the best time to start a home remodeling project?
The best time to start a home remodeling project in the parts of New Hampshire and Massachusetts is right before the longest stretch of warm weather. You want to maximize the late spring, summer, and early autumn months. Take a look at how long a home remodel takes to start projecting out your project.
Can Homeowners Live at Home During Renovations?
Whether you can live in your home during your renovation depends on the extent of the work being done. For more complex remodeling projects, it may be necessary to temporarily relocate to ensure safety and minimize inconvenience. When you work with Blackdog Design/Build/Remodel as your local remodeling team, we help you make these decisions early on in the process.
FAQs About Remodeling Costs
Is There More Overhead With a Large Remodeling Firm?
A single contractor in a pickup truck needs a bookkeeper, a phone system, product samples, and a computer system, the same as we do. Blackdog Design/Build/Remodel becomes more financially efficient because each of those overhead items is supported by 10 to 15 jobs at a time, not just one.
The individual contractor continuously loses time by having to jump from task to task – design a plan, price a materials list, swing a hammer, schedule a subcontractor, answer an emergency warranty call.
We work more quickly and accurately by allowing employees who specialize in each discipline to focus on what they do best without time-consuming distractions.
How Much Does Remodeling Cost Per Square Foot?
We're often asked how much remodeling costs in Southern New Hampshire and Northeast Massachusetts. The cost per square foot for remodeling depends on a variety of factors. We offer both a cost guide and blog resources on the cost of a remodel to help you get started.
Are Remodeling Costs Negotiable?
Often, our clients use this question to ask, “If the price is higher than we’re comfortable with, will you work with us to help us get it down?” The answer there is a resounding “yes!” We start the project development process with an eye toward meeting all your needs, including the budget.
If, after roughing out a design, we determine the cost of remodeling is more than you want to invest, we can offer suggestions to help bring the budget back into line. Solutions can be as simple as selecting different products or finishes, or as all-encompassing as simplifying the design by readdressing the project's primary goals.
As a design/build remodeler, we're able to tailor design to match your budget needs. Don't hesitate to have candid discussions with us about your budget.
Is Remodeling a Good Investment in NH and MA?
Should Homeowners Remodel Now or Wait?
Starting the remodeling process now means you get ahead of the curve and can spend your time working out a design that fits your lifestyle and budget.
Where We Remodel
Southern New Hampshire
We proudly design and remodel homes in these towns in Southern New Hampshire:
- Salem
- Nashua
- Bedford
- Windham
- Londonderry
- Derry
- Hollis
- Amherst
- Merrimack
- Hudson
- Pelham
- Atkinson
Northeastern Massachusetts
We proudly design and remodel homes in the following locations in Northeastern Massachusetts:
- Andover
- North Andover
- Bedford
- Lexington
- Winchester
- Reading
- Wakefield
- Melrose
- Wilmington
- Boxford
- Topsfield
- Lynnfield
- Billerica
- Chelmsford
- Westford
- Concord