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Mon - Fri: 7am-5pm

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717.665.0470

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contact@allrd.com

FAQ

We are devoted to having not just professional service, but also communicating and answering your questions about home renovations.

ANSWERS

Are Your Project Estimates Free?

We focus more on conversations and relationships than a one-off estimate. All projects begin with a conversation. We ask questions, discuss details, and determine whether it’s a good fit. That conversation has no cost.

If the relationship seems like a good match, we continue to the next step, which is an in-home consultation. This visit also has no cost.

If we decide to move forward together after the conversation in your home, we will provide a preliminary estimate or preliminary solution for the project. This also has no cost!

The advantage to this conversation-based system, rather than a quick free estimate, is the connection we can form. You will meet with someone interested in understanding your goals and desires for your project. We want to fully understand your dreams for the house or the room, your timeline, and your budget.

This process provides you with an accurate cost analysis for your project and goals, which means you won’t see a higher estimate later on because the initial estimate was completely off base.

ANSWERS

What Are Some Planning Mistakes To Avoid?

Having a flexible mindset with the homeowner to manage anything that comes up is key in planning and approach. We put a lot of effort into outlining a project with the least amount of time as possible to accommodate the client. The planning mistake we run into the most often with clients is them expecting too short of a timeline, which doesn’t allow for flexibility.

In the planning stage, we must remember that a real home renovation timeline isn’t like the shows you see on HGTV. Those shows wrap up entire fixer-uppers in an hour. In reality, these changes take weeks.

We also recommend setting communication expectations with your contractor. Regular communication will keep things running smoothly. Plan to work with someone who is a good communicator and understands your communication preferences.

You’ll also want to discuss structural integrity issues with your contractor. Let’s say you would like a wall removed. It may not be as easy as it looks. Is there plumbing or HVAC lines there? Is it a load-bearing wall? Will it affect the floor?

As the homeowner, you can work in the planning stage to understand that a building’s structural integrity will dictate and sometimes limit your options. However, most of the time we’re able to work around limitations to accomplish the project’s goals.

ANSWERS

When Is the Best Time To Do a Home Remodeling Project? Does Timing Matter?

The best timing is whatever works best for you, the homeowner. When would a renovation project be least disruptive to your lifestyle and schedule?

Winter can be a good time to complete interior projects since they’re not dependent on waiting for fairer weather. For a home addition, spring is the best time to start or start in late summer and go into the fall.

If you’re not comfortable having workers in your home while you’re not there, we can work around your schedule.

It really depends on your preferences and schedule. We’ve completed projects for teachers who preferred us to work in the summer when they were home. We’ve also done projects for homeowners who preferred the work to be done during the school year when their kids are out of the house.

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What Are Some Common Price Ranges for Your Home Remodeling Projects?

Kitchen: A kitchen remodel can range from $30,000 to $65,000. The lower end excludes appliances, and may not include flooring or new lighting or granite countertops.

A higher-end project could be in the $50,000 to $120,000 range. This is more likely to involve new cabinets, flooring, granite or quartz countertops, new fixtures and tiling, appliances, and other updates for the room. Typically, most of our projects involve creative design with functionality and aesthetics in mind throughout the entire kitchen and connecting spaces. Therefore, the kitchen remodel price range varies significantly from project to project.

Bathroom: A typical bathroom remodel price range is between $18,000 and $35,000 but can require an even greater investment if there is a lot of tile (walls, floor, or both) or a large shower. A lower-end bathroom upgrade can include fiberglass tubs or showers, a vinyl floor, and new fixtures. The middle and higher ranges usually include tile floors, a linen closet or other storage, and a glass surround or tiled shower.

ANSWERS

What Is Your Typical Project Lead Time?

For a kitchen project, we work with a three-month lead time. That time includes the initial conversation, preliminary assessment or solution, the design process and selection, and then construction.

A bathroom typically takes around two months. Smaller projects can be done more quickly (1 month or less).

Additions take more time. They include zoning details, permits, stormwater management, and a lot of extra considerations that can take up to six months to work through. Additions require more detailed blueprints and plans too.

For example, if you’d like to start a project in spring/summer, start talking with a contractor in the fall.

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How Would You Describe Your Design Style?

Our design style is your design style. We’ll work collaboratively with you to make your vision a reality, regardless of the style. If it’s a farmhouse, we’ve done some beautiful farmhouse country looks. If it’s industrial or modern or vintage, we’ve done exemplary work in those styles too.

We sometimes work with third-party designers to be sure we’re providing exactly what our client wants. We can create 3D drawings too, as needed or requested.

For example, we worked with a homeowner who had a statement piece of furniture they wanted to match everything to (the colors, style, details, and the trim). We brought in an interior designer who collaborated with us, not just discussing the kitchen flooring or cabinets, but the decorations, wall color, trim, and the overall look the homeowner was going for.

Regardless of style, our focus is always on quality in our workmanship and service every step of the way because that’s how we produce the best value for you.

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What Will Happen to My Home During the Process?

The demo process is a messy process, and it gets worse before it gets better.

We have a process to protect your home’s floors, furniture, and other items in the home. We’ll work with you to make sure things are out of the way so there’s as little disruption to your home as possible. We also barricade or put up plastic on walls and entryways to contain dust and debris from entering non-work areas.

We communicate constantly and will be up-front with you about what will be happening to make sure everyone is comfortable with what’s going on. It can feel a bit like a home invasion. The area in your home being worked on might be ripped up and look pretty awful before it starts coming together.

However, every day before our crew leaves a project, they will clear and clean the work area(s). We know that the project will cause disruptions in your life and we want to make it as comfortable as we possibly can. We hear from clients all the time how pleased they were that the work areas were kept so clean and organized throughout the project.

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Can I Request Changes After Work Has Begun?

Yes, but it may add costs to redo work or acquire new materials. Some smaller items may be quick with minimal cost, such as an additional light or changing a paint color.

Typically, our design process is very thorough to avoid costly changes down the line. However, sometimes during remodeling, you find things you weren’t expecting and changes might be needed.

Lastly, we often encourage homeowners to wait and see the finished product. The wall color or countertop might look different than you had expected, but when you see it all together it looks great.

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Tell me a little bit about yourself.

I grew up in the Amish community. Although I was born in Lancaster, my family moved to western Indiana when I was 13. After my wife and I had our three sons, we moved back to the area in 2005. After our sons, we had two more children, both girls. Ben is the oldest at 20, Isaiah is 18, Josiah is 15, Charity is 13, and Rebecca is 11.

We’re involved with many different sports, as well as Trail Life, which is a Christian outdoor adventure program for boys. The troop in Lititz includes 60 boys that I help to coordinate in high adventure trips. I work in this organization on several National Committees and as a new troop organizer in our area.

Anna, my wife, helps folks in our community by cleaning their homes, and also helps people improve their lives with her health products business.

We’ve got one big, happy family into all kinds of things!

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Tell me a little about the events that led up to where you are now.

I started learning carpentry with my dad when I was 14. My grandfather was a fine- trim carpenter in Lancaster and it seems I have those genes. I love crafting and creating, using my carpentry skills.  I have always enjoyed the hard work and details that are involved in making a project come to life.

When we moved here from Indiana, I initially connected with another company and then branched out on my own. I founded ALL Renovation & Design in 2006 with a simple goal: to serve my clients through a high level of craftsmanship in all areas of construction and remodeling. Since then, we have helped hundreds of homeowners in southcentral PA achieve the home of their dreams.

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What is your business and what makes it distinctive?

Our business is to help clients by working together with them to find the right solution for their dreams to become a reality. We focus on solid communication and premium-quality projects. Our team of skilled cabinetmakers, carpenters, and finishers bring passion to every project. We painstakingly sweat over every detail, so that the finished product exceeds your expectations.

What sets us apart? I recently met with a homeowner, and they asked me that question too – ‘Why should we buy from you?’

Here are the reasons clients have told us why they enjoy working with us:

They say we listen and care about what they want to accomplish. I’ve had many come to me and say we listened so carefully and put together a design and a plan exactly fitting their dreams, and along the way we helped them discover all the little details they really wanted. We are also comfortable with taking on jobs that might not be as clear-cut and involve complexity. That may not be the case with all companies. We have tailored our process to focus on collaboration and communication. Past clients regularly express that they felt heard and that our team captured everything they were looking for.

We invest a lot in relationships, and many of our clients have become friends. When we work with people, the focus and the goal is to build relationships, to build that trust factor. We care about them and what they want to accomplish.

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Given your business expertise and the nature of what you do, what advice can you offer to residents?

I think I would say to not feel pressure to sign any contracts or make any agreements on the spot with a business. I have seen people get caught up in the sales quote process, feeling pressured into making a decision quickly, and many times that doesn’t turn out too well.

While I was at a customer’s home recently, sitting down and chatting with them, they told me they were so glad I was there to talk about the project without pressure. They’d had others come in, take a look at the roof, give them a price on the spot and lean on them to sign a contract before the salesperson left. I am happy to take the time to make sure it’s a right fit.

Having a flexible mindset with the homeowner to manage anything that comes up is key in planning and approach. We put a lot of effort into outlining a project with the least amount of time as possible to accommodate the client. The planning mistake we run into the most often with clients is them expecting too short of a timeline, which doesn’t allow for flexibility.

In the planning stage, we must remember that a real home renovation timeline isn’t like the shows you see on HGTV. Those shows wrap up entire fixer-uppers in an hour. In reality, these changes take weeks.

We also recommend setting communication expectations with your contractor. Regular communication will keep things running smoothly. Plan to work with someone who is a good communicator and understands your communication preferences. Many things can happen unexpectedly with renovations, and it’s your home, so it’s best to have strong communication throughout the project and that is what we specialize in. You’ll also want to discuss structural integrity issues with your contractor. Let’s say you would like a wall removed. It may not be as easy as it looks. Is there plumbing or HVAC lines there? Is it a load-bearing wall? Will it affect the floor? As the homeowner, you can work in the planning stage to understand that a building’s structural integrity will dictate and sometimes limit your options. However, most of the time we’re able to work around limitations to accomplish the project’s goals.