What Should I Expect During A Full-home Remodel?

Think a full home remodel is just new floors and a coat of paint? We pull back the curtain on what it really takes to transform an entire house—from permits and structural work to the punch list details that separate a rushed finish from lasting quality. Jeff Bass, our general contractor in the DFW area, lays out the true timeline, the biggest delay triggers, and the one decision that can cut months off your schedule: moving out during construction.

We start with a reality check: a full remodel is a temporary lifestyle, not a weekend project. Hundreds of choices drive momentum or stall it—cabinets, flooring, tile layouts, lighting plans, and colors all need to be decided early to keep crews moving. Jeff explains why mid-project changes cascade into rework, missed inspections, and blown delivery windows. Then we dig into the final stretch that always feels longer than it looks. Punch lists, touch-ups, trim alignment, hardware installs, and city sign-offs demand patience and a tight process. Multiple walkthroughs with the project team and homeowner ensure every detail gets tracked and closed.

Texas-specific realities make planning even more critical. With slab foundations and few basements, rerouting plumbing and electrical often means cutting concrete or running through walls and attics. Add-ons and garage conversions can overload existing HVAC and electrical panels, so we outline how to anticipate system upgrades before design lock. The payoff for thoughtful planning is big: faster sequencing, fewer surprises, and a smoother closeout. If you’re weighing whether to stay or relocate, we spell out the trade-offs—phased, slower work versus whole-home access, longer hours, and cleaner progress.

If you’re ready to modernize a dated space and want a process that respects your time, budget, and sanity, this conversation is your blueprint. Subscribe, share with a homeowner friend, and leave a review to tell us your biggest remodel question—we may answer it on a future show.

To learn more about Remodel Contracting visit:
https://www.RemodelContracting.net
Remodel Contracting
801 Alpha Rd, Ste 133
Richardson, TX 75081
469-831-5620

What Is ADA Compliance?

Think ADA is a building code box to tick at the end of a remodel? We take you straight to the truth: ADA is federal civil rights law, enforced through lawsuits, and it belongs in your plan from day one. Jeff Bass, general contractor and renovation expert in DFW, joins Sophia Yvette to demystify the rules, the budget math, and the real-world design moves that make public spaces work for everyone.

We unpack the most costly myths—like the idea that older buildings are “grandfathered” or that ADA only applies if wheelchair users already visit—and show how those assumptions lead to risk and rework. Jeff explains when a remodel should trigger an ADA review, why a 20 percent allocation for accessibility is a smart baseline, and how to prioritize the accessible route from parking to service points. You’ll hear where money actually goes, from door clearances to counters, and why restrooms become the budget pressure point thanks to the 60-inch turning circle and fixture clearances.

Instead of shortcuts, we share a field-tested approach: measure thoroughly, plan early, and bring on a contractor who truly understands ADA compliance. For many projects, the most effective steps are simple—re-striping accessible parking, adjusting thresholds, dialing in entrance hardware—while larger moves like restroom reconfiguration demand careful sequencing. Done right, compliance reduces legal exposure, protects your brand, and welcomes more customers with dignity and safety.

If you’re a business owner, property manager, or builder planning a commercial remodel, this conversation gives you the clarity to budget wisely and build access into the design. Subscribe for more practical remodeling insights, share this episode with a colleague who needs it, and leave a review to tell us your biggest ADA challenge.

To learn more about Remodel Contracting visit:
https://www.RemodelContracting.net
Remodel Contracting
801 Alpha Rd, Ste 133
Richardson, TX 75081
469-831-5620

Why Codes Change For Commercial Properties?

Buildings don’t stand still, and neither do the rules that keep them safe. We sit down with general contractor Jeff Bass to unpack why commercial building codes evolve and how owners, developers, and contractors can stay ahead of shifting standards without blowing timelines or budgets. From safety data to technology upgrades, Jeff connects the dots between public risk, accessibility, and the rapid pace of innovation inside modern buildings.

We start with the forces that drive change: fire events, structural failures, electrical hazards, storms, and the human realities of evacuations and crowd flow. Jeff explains how accessibility fits squarely into public safety, shaping requirements for entrances, parking, restrooms, counters, seating, and elevators. Then we turn to technology, where smarter HVAC, integrated fire suppression, energy controls, security systems, battery storage, and EV charging push code forward. If you design a 2025 building with 2005 rules, you invite incompatibility and risk—and you pay for it later.

Commercial properties carry more liability than homes, and the stakes are higher: bigger roofs, open spans, complex power, and hundreds of occupants. That’s why cities enforce stricter standards and aim for safer, more efficient buildings. Jeff shares a practical playbook to stay ahead: track International Building Code updates and local amendments, build relationships with plan reviewers and fire marshals, and design for the adoption cycle that’s coming, not just the one on the books today. The payoff is real—fewer surprises, faster approvals, and spaces that perform better for everyone who walks through the door.

If you care about resilience, efficiency, and inclusive design, this conversation will help you make smarter choices before they get costly. Subscribe, share the show with a teammate who handles compliance, and leave a quick review to tell us what code change is top of mind for your next project.

To learn more about Remodel Contracting visit:
https://www.RemodelContracting.net
Remodel Contracting
801 Alpha Rd, Ste 133
Richardson, TX 75081
469-831-5620

Why Should We Bring Things Up To Code?

Your home’s best upgrades aren’t the ones you can see. We unpack how modern building codes protect safety, strengthen insurance claims, cut energy bills, and boost resale value—and why tackling what’s behind the walls should come before picking tile. With Jeff Bass, a seasoned general contractor in the DFW area, we break down the real risks of outdated wiring and plumbing, explain GFCI outlets in plain English, and show how current standards turn everyday headaches into non-issues.

We get practical about what “up to code” actually means today, from grounded circuits and kitchen small-appliance loads to insulation, windows, and energy efficiency requirements that can shrink your summer electric bill. You’ll hear the difference between grandfathered features and true violations, plus when an update is optional and when it becomes mandatory the moment you touch a system. Along the way, we share the documentation that matters—permits, inspections, and close-out records that reassure buyers and keep insurers on your side.

If you’re planning a remodel, you’ll learn how to hire a licensed, insured contractor who pulls the right permits, sequences inspections, and helps you prioritize function over finishes. We talk ROI, timelines, and how focusing on wiring, plumbing, and ventilation sets you up for a smoother project and a stronger sale. Expect clear guidance, real-world examples, and a blueprint for upgrades that pay off now and later.

Subscribe for more practical remodeling insight, share this with a homeowner who needs it, and leave a quick review to help others find the show. Got a question about code or permits? Send it our way—we might feature it next.

To learn more about Remodel Contracting visit:
https://www.RemodelContracting.net
Remodel Contracting
801 Alpha Rd, Ste 133
Richardson, TX 75081
469-831-5620

Why Do Codes Change?

Renovating a home should feel exciting, not overwhelming, yet the fastest way to derail a project is to ignore the rules that keep your family safe. We open up the world of modern building codes and show how evolving standards protect against fire, storm damage, poor ventilation, and hidden energy waste. From electrical rough-ins to framing connectors and high-performance windows, we connect the dots between what inspectors look for and the long-term comfort, resilience, and efficiency you actually experience.

Jeff Bass, our general contractor in the DFW Metro, breaks down how code updates happen and why cities often revise every three to six years. We compare the International Building Code framework with local amendments, outline common misconceptions about permits, and explain why documentation is your best friend when an inspection lands at the worst moment. You will hear about real fixes that avoid costly tear-outs, the role of sequencing, and how simple photo records can satisfy an inspection when walls are already closed.

To bring it home, we share a jaw-dropping walkthrough of a high-end property riddled with open wiring, a shower built inside another shower, and ductwork blasting conditioned air into wall cavities. It is a cautionary tale that proves cutting corners is not cheaper once you factor in rework, risk, and lost efficiency. If you are planning to replace that 90s kitchen or tackle a bath refresh, you will come away with a clear path: verify your local code version, stage inspections properly, budget for energy improvements, and treat inspectors as partners in building a safer, smarter space.

Ready to remodel with confidence? Subscribe for more expert guidance, share this episode with a friend tackling a project, and leave a review to tell us your biggest code question.

To learn more about Remodel Contracting visit:
https://www.RemodelContracting.net
Remodel Contracting
801 Alpha Rd, Ste 133
Richardson, TX 75081
469-831-5620

How Does Remodel Contracting Help With Insurance Claims?

Ever wonder why the first insurance estimate feels so light? We pull back the curtain on how carriers price to the minimum, what gets missed in Xactimate, and how a seasoned general contractor can turn a lowball scope into a complete, code-compliant restoration. With Sophia Yvette hosting and Jeff Bass in the hot seat, we map the entire journey from the first phone call to the final sign-off, showing you the steps that protect your wallet and your home.

We start with the smart move most people skip: meeting the adjuster on site. Jeff explains how that early collaboration sets a professional tone, ensures the right facts get captured, and signals that the homeowner has an advocate. From there we dissect Xactimate line items—texture matching, painting to a natural break, detach and reset of fixtures, manufacturer-required methods, and code upgrades—and show how to spot the gaps that add up to major quality and safety issues if ignored.

Then we dig into supplements, the tool that corrects the initial estimate without gaming the system. You’ll learn how documentation, photos, code citations, and product specs form an airtight case. Jeff shares two stories: a hazardous granite countertop left on flimsy supports after mitigation, and a whole-floor repair that stalled until the scope was properly negotiated. We also clarify how to handle homeowner upgrades outside the claim, keep projects within the approved budget, and deliver proof of completion so funds release smoothly.

If you’re dealing with storm, water, or fire damage, this is your blueprint to getting made whole—no more paying out of pocket for items that should’ve been covered. Subscribe, share with a neighbor who’s fighting their claim, and leave a review to tell us which part helped you most. Ready for expert help? Call 469-831-5620 or visit Remodelcontracting.net.

To learn more about Remodel Contracting visit:
https://www.RemodelContracting.net
Remodel Contracting
801 Alpha Rd, Ste 133
Richardson, TX 75081
469-831-5620

Should You Remodel For Investors Or To Sell A Property?

Want your remodel to move the market instead of drain your budget? We dig into the investor mindset that turns outdated spaces into profitable listings, with Jeff Bass sharing the playbook he uses to balance cost, speed, and buyer appeal. From estate clean-ups to rental turns and flips, we break down where to spend, where to save, and how to plan so surprises don’t eat your margins.

We start by reframing decisions around return on investment: kitchens and bathrooms lead, but not with boutique choices that lag timelines and balloon costs. Jeff walks through value engineering that still looks premium—think LVP that reads like wood without the install drag, pre-finished cabinets that deliver a crisp look without the custom wait, and lighting and hardware upgrades that photograph beautifully. We talk selection discipline, ordering materials before demo wraps, and creating a finish schedule that keeps crews moving and avoids the standstill that tanks your ARV.

Then we tackle the pitfalls that stall profits: the “cheapest bid” trap, HGTV speed myths, and skipping contingencies for what’s behind the drywall. Jeff explains how a bulletproof scope and clear communication cadence cut change orders, and why treating your general contractor as a partner—not just a vendor—earns you better pricing, faster scheduling, and less stress on every project after the first. If you’re prepping to sell or planning your next flip, you’ll get a practical blueprint for finishes that sell, timelines that hold, and decisions driven by math, not ego.

Ready to level up your flips and listings? Follow the show, share this episode with a friend who’s renovating to sell, and leave a quick review so more investors can find these strategies.

To learn more about Remodel Contracting visit:
https://www.RemodelContracting.net
Remodel Contracting
801 Alpha Rd, Ste 133
Richardson, TX 75081
469-831-5620

What Are The Signs It’s Time To Remodel My Home?

Your home speaks volumes before it ever utters a word. Those cracked tiles? They're whispering about foundation issues. That skyrocketing energy bill? It's shouting about outdated windows and poor insulation. In this eye-opening conversation, renovation expert Jeff Bass reveals the unmistakable signs that your living space is ready for transformation.

Beyond the obvious aesthetic concerns—like that avocado green bathroom that stopped being charming decades ago—Jeff guides us through the functional, safety, and financial indicators that signal remodeling readiness. From outdated floor plans that disrupt your family's flow to safety hazards hiding in plain sight, these warning signs deserve your attention before minor inconveniences become major headaches.

The discussion takes a fascinating turn when Jeff shares a remarkable transformation story about a Texas family who couldn't even use their sun-drenched living and dining rooms during summer months. With interior window temperatures reaching a scorching 140 degrees despite tinting and shutters, these spaces stood empty until the right renovation reclaimed them. "We spend 93% of our time indoors," Jeff reminds us. "Shouldn't we make our indoors as comfortable as possible?"

Perhaps most surprising is Jeff's practical approach to timing and financing renovations. Gone are the days when homeowners needed to save for years before updating crucial systems. With competitive financing options now available, the question becomes not if you can afford to remodel, but whether you can afford to wait—especially when it comes to energy-efficient upgrades that start paying you back immediately.

Ready to stop tolerating and start transforming? Take Jeff's advice: prioritize your needs, set a realistic budget, and reach out to professionals who can help you reclaim every square foot of your home. Your space should work for you, not against you. Call 469-831-5620 or visit Remodelcontracting.net for a free consultation and discover how your house can finally become the home you deserve.

To learn more about Remodel Contracting visit:
https://www.RemodelContracting.net
Remodel Contracting
801 Alpha Rd, Ste 133
Richardson, TX 75081
469-831-5620

What Happens With A Change Order And Final Walkthrough?

Ever found yourself at the end of a renovation wondering why there are suddenly new costs or what exactly you should be looking for during that final walkthrough? You're not alone.

The closing stages of any home renovation can feel like navigating uncharted territory. In this illuminating episode, contractor Jeff Bass demystifies the often confusing world of change orders and final walkthroughs, providing honest guidance that both protects homeowners and ensures quality results.

Change orders—those modifications that fall outside your original contract—can arise from various situations: your design preferences evolve as the project progresses, unexpected issues emerge when walls come down, or you simply decide to expand the scope. Jeff reveals why transparent communication about potential changes must begin before the first hammer swings, explaining that early decisions minimize both cost impacts and timeline disruptions. He candidly addresses how some contractors strategically use change orders after low-balling initial bids, a practice he firmly rejects in favor of comprehensive upfront planning.

When it comes to final walkthroughs, Jeff walks us through the three critical elements every homeowner should examine: functionality (do everything work properly?), finishes (how do the aesthetic elements look?), and cleanup (has the space been properly restored?). With practical advice about creating effective punch lists and understanding the legal aspects of final payments, this episode equips you with the knowledge to confidently navigate your renovation's final stretch.

Whether you're planning your first renovation or have experienced the frustration of surprise costs and unresolved issues, this straightforward conversation provides the tools to ensure your project concludes as successfully as it began. Ready to transform your home with confidence? Listen now and discover how to master the critical final phase of your renovation journey.

To learn more about Remodel Contracting visit:
https://www.RemodelContracting.net
Remodel Contracting
801 Alpha Rd, Ste 133
Richardson, TX 75081
469-831-5620

What Is 203K Or Homestyle Renovation Loan- And How Can I Qualify?

Dreaming of transforming that fixer-upper into your dream home but worried about financing? This eye-opening episode breaks down the powerful financial tools that can make your renovation dreams affordable and potentially profitable.

Jeff Best, drawing from his unique expertise as both a general contractor and former mortgage banker, demystifies renovation financing options that most homeowners don't know exist. We explore the game-changing difference between FHA 203k loans and Fannie Mae HomeStyle renovation loans, revealing how these specialized mortgages allow you to borrow against your home's future value after improvements – potentially building substantial equity from day one.

For those with lower credit scores or smaller down payments, we detail how FHA 203k loans offer accessibility with minimum credit requirements around 620 and down payments as low as 3.5%. Meanwhile, homeowners with stronger financial profiles might prefer the flexibility of HomeStyle loans, which accommodate luxury upgrades like high-end finishes and swimming pools. Both options cover essentials like kitchen and bathroom remodels, roofing, HVAC, room additions, and more.

Beyond just explaining qualification requirements, Jeff shares crucial insider knowledge about the renovation loan process. You'll learn why finding the right contractor and lender experienced with these specific loans is essential, how the draw schedule affects your project timeline, and why budgeting for contingencies can save your renovation from disaster. His practical advice helps you avoid common pitfalls like underestimating approval times, miscommunicating with lenders, or attempting to live through major renovations.

Ready to transform that outdated kitchen or finally replace that avocado green bathroom? Call us at 469-831-5620 or visit Remodelcontracting.net for a free consultation. Your dream home might be more affordable than you think – and it could be the one you're already living in.

To learn more about Remodel Contracting visit:
https://www.RemodelContracting.net
Remodel Contracting
801 Alpha Rd, Ste 133
Richardson, TX 75081
469-831-5620