ISO Design-Build Recommendations for Arlington

[Anonymous]

Hi folks - we are looking to do a renovation of a cape cod in Arlington (looking to spend $150k or so to expand the second floor). Looking for recommendations of good local companies to work with. It seems like design-build firms are the way to go, but also welcome insights from anyone who has taken a different route. Thanks in advance for any advice!

[Anonymous]

That doesn’t sound like enough budget tbh.

[Anonymous]

Yeah your budget is not nearly enough. If all you are doing is expanding the second floor, I think you need 200K. If you are doing kitchen upgrades or anything else, you need a good bit more. (maybe you could get it for less with an architect + contractor but not for design-build).

[Anonymous]

Don’t use Commonwealth Restorations (Arlington based)

Whoever you do find, call some references they didn’t give you.

[Anonymous]

I don't recommend Enhanced Homes (it was Enhanced Roofing and Remodeling when we used them). We had what I thought was a pretty good experience with them on our remodel and then we later learned they used wrong materials for the job and pretended they were going to fix it and then ultimately ghosted us. We had to bring in another company for the fix.

[Anonymous]

Start with an architect that can help you get a realistic budget together and introduce you to a few builders. You will pay a premium for design build.

[Anonymous]

Ooooh that number is so familiar. I also wanted to expand my cape cod for $150k. Ended up spending closer to $400k. It was basically a gut job though.

[Anonymous]

Design-Build firms are super expensive. We were quoted around 70-90K just for our primary bathroom. We didn't need all that much design help and are going with a bathroom/kitchen contractor.

[Anonymous]

No personal experience, but I've heard Cook Bros. are good and reasonably priced for the area. Think they have a super-long waitlist, though.

[Anonymous]

Your budget is too low for the design build route. They charge at least a 20% premium over architect/contractor, and the designs are often awful. I’ve seen some very strange rooflines on Cook Bros. homes, people have to be having trouble with leaking.

[Anonymous]

I would never use Harry braswell again. Ask him how many of his clients have ended up suing him?

[Anonymous]

My neighbors have been happy with Cook Brothers and Moss Design Build.

[Anonymous]

Wow. We paid 130 to add a second level in McLean 15 years a go. Crazy what contractors are getting away with nowadays.

[Anonymous]

We are spending $200k on a first-floor gut remodel in Arlington, going the architect & builder route.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow. We paid 130 to add a second level in McLean 15 years a go. Crazy what contractors are getting away with nowadays.

What do you mean getting away with? You said 15 years ago. How can you even remotely use that as a point of reference. I bet when you go to put your house on the market, you won't be using the price it would have sold for 15 years ago, and when you get todays price/value you will not be complaining. People are absolutely delusional.

No one is holding a gun to a homeowners head saying they have to pay. And no I am not a contractor.