FAQ

The following questions are often encountered when discussing my services and the remodeling coach concept.  If you don’t see your question below email me at deren_at_meandyourhouse_dot_com or by clicking here.

Why Hire a Remodeling Coach?

Find the answer here…

What is a remodeling coach?

In short, a remodeling coach is dedicated to supporting you throughout your remodel project. Support includes a myriad of services, but can include design analysis, cost estimating, project scheduling, contractor bid assistance and selection and general support throughout the project.  For a more detailed description, click here.

Why have I never heard of a remodeling coach?  Did you just make this up?

While not exactly a common term, remodeling coaches have been around for a while.  Go ahead, Google it and see for yourself.

I have been a remodeling coach for quite a few years with friends and family.  I really enjoy it.  So I thought I would try to do more of it.  Pretty simple, really.  I try to do more of what I enjoy.

My guess is remodeling coaches will become more prevalent in the coming years.  Homeowners are savvy, and they know having a professional advocate on their team is critical.  The advances in the Internet and communication technology also make finding and utilizing remodeling coaches much more feasible.

I wish I could get just a bit more familiar with how deep your knowledge is of the remodel process before I hire you. Is there any way I can do that?

Yes, there is. I’m offering my readers a free e-book so you can get to know me and my knowledge base better. After you’ve read that, if you should have any more questions, contact me and we can talk further.

How do I know you really exist, and are not just some scam artist sitting in a dark basement somewhere trying to rip people off?

Ummm, can’t I just promise you I am for real and you take my word for it?

In all seriousness, this is a valid question.  When you click “buy now” you don’t want your hard-earned cash to float off into the ether.  I understand.

Well, first of all, you can see my facebook page here.  Could I make all this stuff up?  Or you can see the website for the company I own.  Or you could see a picture of me and my daughter at the bottom of this page here.  Or you could visit Charles & Hudson here; I’ve been guest blogging there since mid-2009.  Or you could call me at 209-652-1865 and talk to me directly.

You should also read my guarantee, it explains why I have to keep my reputation pristine to grow my business…

How do you advise on projects if you are in a different city, state or even country?

Good question!  Being a long-distance remodeling coach poses some unique challenges.  Thankfully, today’s technology makes them surmountable.  I use a combination of phone conversations, email, digital pictures, remodeling estimating software and carrier pigeon (just kidding) to advise you throughout your project.

Example: Let’s say I join your team using the Remodeling Coach Complete Package.  We go through all the pre-construction activities, and you are now underway.

You discover right in the middle of your project that your backsplash, faucet, sink and countertop do not fit quite right.  You freak out because the countertop is already fabricated, the sink and the faucet are on order, and your contractor is telling you it will cost hundreds of dollars to fix it.  What do you do?

Simply pull out your digital camera, take a picture of the situation, send me the model numbers for your sink and faucet, and I will review the situation, come up with some solutions, and give you a return call or email to discuss how to fix it.  It’s that simple!  And I am already on your team, and I make no money off of additional work (like your contractor does) so you have confidence my answers are the best for you, and not for me…

Where exactly are you?

I live and work in Modesto, in the middle of California’s Central Valley, about an hour south of Sacramento, CA.  Right now I am literally in a Starbuck’s, trying to avoid the creepy guy next to me that wants to strike up a conversation…

What kinds of projects can you help me with?  How big is big?  How small is too small?

I am willing and able to help you with any residential remodel project, indoor or out.  My services will make the most sense for someone remodeling at least a full room.

However, small projects are just as important as large projects.  If you would like advice and counsel on a very small project, like a closet insert or flooring replacement, just send me an email at deren_at_meandyourhouse_dot_com or by clicking here.  I would love to help you out.

How can you save me money?

I am a firm believer that effective project management alone will save you money, not to mention sanity, but here are a few specifics:

• Establishing project budgets up-front minimize changes during the project. And changes during the project often cause cost increases.  I can create a budget for you before you get too far, thus starting you out in the right direction.
• My decade in the business allows me to identify the right product for the application.  This spares you the expense of choosing a product too expensive for what you really need.
• An effective bid package will garner three or more competitive bids.  Reducing confusion for the bidders often brings prices down. The more comfortable your bidders are with a scope of work, the better deal you get.  Trust me, I have bid hundreds of projects in my life and know the game well.
• Perhaps with my help you can bypass a general contractor all together, saving their 10-25% mark-up. I can certainly counsel you on this decision before your project starts.
• Once your project is going, I can help analyze change orders or extra costs from your contractor or sub-contractors.  The estimating software I use will give both immediate confirmation (or rejection) of project costs.

How long do I have to wait for your products?

This depends entirely on my workload at the time you contact me, but I can usually have our Initial Phone Consultation within a day of receiving payment.  The Getting Started package usually takes 3-5 business days to complete, depending on the size of your remodel.  The Remodeling Coach Complete Package takes place over the course of many weeks, but will be so enjoyable you will wish it took longer.