Whether you will need permits or not depends on the type of project you're working on.

Projects that typically require a permit:

- Building a new house, garage, or addition

- Finishing a basement, attic, or garage into living space

- Adding or removing walls

- Decks more than ~30 inches high

- Retaining walls 4 ft or taller

- Electrical, plumbing, or HVAC work

- Patio covers, carports, or porches

- Detached sheds over ~200 sq ft

- Replacing windows/doors if it changes the opening size

Projects that DO NOT typically require a permit:

- Painting

- Flooring

- Cabinets or countertops

- Cosmetic interior work

- Small sheds under ~200 sq ft with no electrical/plumbing

- Low-voltage outdoor lighting 

It depends on why they’re cheaper. A lower price can be great—or a warning sign. Before deciding, compare contractors on a few key factors:

1. Scope of Work -

Make sure the bids include the same work and materials. A cheaper contractor might:

- Use lower-quality materials

- Skip steps (permits, prep work, cleanup)

- Leave out parts of the job that will become extra charges later

2. Reputation & Experience -

Check the following:

- Reviews and references

- Photos of past projects

- Years doing similar work

A contractor with solid experience may save you money by avoiding mistakes and delays.

3. Licensing, Insurance, and Permits -

Confirm they have:

- Proper licensing for your area

- Liability insurance and worker’s comp

- Willingness to pull permits if required

If they don’t, you could be financially responsible if something goes wrong.

4. Communication & Professionalism -

Notice how they handle:

- Written estimates

- Clear timelines

- Responsiveness to questions

Poor communication early usually means bigger issues during the project.

5. Price Outliers

If one bid is much lower than the others, it often means:

- They misunderstood the project

- Plan to cut corners

- Will charge change orders later

- Clear communication from the beginning of initial intro meeting.  It sets the tone for the entire project and what the consumer gets.

- Detailed planning and organizing.

- Quality control of project of trades.

- Finical transparency.

- Problem solving ability.

- Reputation and reviews.

Whether you need a designer or not typically depends on the scope of the project.

You probably don’t need a designer when:

- You’re doing simple updates (paint, flooring, fixtures)

- You already know exactly what you want

The layout isn’t changing

- Your contractor helps with basic selections

Example: replacing cabinets, countertops, and appliances in the same layout.

- A good contractor can often handle this without a separate designer.

A designer is very helpful when:

- You’re changing the layout

- Moving plumbing, walls, or electrical

- Doing a kitchen or bathroom gut remodel

- You want a cohesive style and material plan

- You’re overwhelmed with hundreds of product choices

Designers also help prevent costly problems like:

- Cabinets not fitting

- Bad traffic flow

- Lighting placed incorrectly

- Materials that clash