Understanding Home Remodeling Contractor Fees
February 1, 2022
You Deserve A Detailed Estimate For Your Nashville Remodel
When you receive an estimate from a contractor you may notice a markup charge that could range from 10 to 30 percent or possibly more. This is accurate whether you have a time-and-materials estimate or a fixed-price, also known as a bid. There are many overhead costs that go in to a markup and in order for contractors to be solvent, markups are necessary.
What Kind of Overhead Costs Do Contractors Have During A Renovation?
- Insurance: General liability (GL) insurance covers contractor operations with a possibility of coverage for homeowners and architects. It is worthwhile for homeowners to consult with their own insurance agents to ensure their homeowners insurance doesn’t have exclusions while the home is under construction.
- Taxes: Courtesy of Uncle Sam, if there is one thing we all have to do in life, it’s paying taxes. Whether it’s sales tax on materials, employee taxes such as social security, or revenue tax, we pay multiple types of taxes for an individual project.
- Labor Burden: Workers comp, overtime and medical coverage are just a few “burdens” of labor. Having a fully compliant workforce with proper training is highly beneficial for the homeowner. Benefits, training and compensation are all things that attract top candidates. And isn’t that who you’d like working on your home?
- Office Work: Typically an office means there are office employees who work on your project by handling all the paperwork. That business regularity is often an indication that paperwork is processed at expected intervals and that there are systems in place to provide consistent customer service.
- Transportation: From delivering materials to hauling away debris, we often have to rent large equipment such as backhoes and dump trucks.
- Warranty: Doing our work correctly the first time is a priority for us and a promise to you. That is why we confidently offer a two-year warranty. In the rare occasion that warranty work takes place, it is funded by net profit rather than being a line item.
What to Do If Your Estimate is Higher Than Your Budget?
So you’ve crafted your dream into a plan, sent your initial drawings to multiple contractors for an initial price comparison and suddenly, reality hits. If your dream plan turns out to be more than you bargained for, there are a few ways you can trim those estimates.
Value Engineering
Value Engineering is the process of assessing cost and function to improve the value of a product. So let’s say you originally wanted your cabinets to stretch to the top of your 12-foot ceiling. Unbeknownst to most people, standard cabinets do not stretch that far, requiring customization and resulting in cabinets that are almost four times the cost of standard cabinets. No matter how large your budget is, every homeowner is faced with making decisions during this process. Although these are very personal decisions, the following questions can be very helpful for the decision making process.
Determine Your Top 5 Renovation Priorities
Determining your must-haves is a great start to the elimination process. It will make it easier to compare the nice-to-haves. Once you have your priorities set, you can shuffle through the rest of the list and remove features knowing you are still getting what is most important to you.
Decide What You Want In Your Home Renovation
Everyone has different values. So if you are a wine connoisseur that doesn’t cook often, a wine cooler will serve great function in your home but a top of the line stove may not be necessary.
The contractor you select can be a big help in working with you and the architects to suggest lower-cost alternatives as your plans develop. Working through these details is a continual, yet worthwhile, process until you reach a finalized plan with all the features and materials specified with a price. You’ll move from initial concept to fully engineered plans over several iterations. Selecting all your materials during this process will go far in making sure that you don’t go over budget later.
If you are feeling puzzled or overwhelmed with costing and budgeting for a home project, Artisan Build Construct is happy to answer any questions you may have to help you through the process when you feel ready. Click here to get started.
A Timeless Home Renovation in Nashville's Historic Germantown Neighborhood
So, you’re planning a custom home build or renovation in Nashville. You’ve got visions of sleek open-concept layouts, cozy dedicated spaces with jaw-dropping finishes, and all the modern conveniences. But have you thought about how sound will travel through your home? No? Buckle up. If you’ve never had the pleasure of your neighbor’s new crate-training puppy discovering its bark and howl at 4:00 AM—or the Airbnb next door hosting a pack of woo-girls celebrating Tiffany’s second bachelorette party (yes, Tiffany, we know this one is forever) in the alleyway at 3:30 AM—consider yourself lucky. Nashville may be an "It City," but that “it” often includes a symphony of tourists, neighbors, trains, planes, traffic, appliances, ice-dropping freezers, and kids whose volume settings only go up. Well hello from your new favorite resource: Artisan Build Construct—the team that doesn’t just make homes look marvelous, darlings! --but ensures the home will be beautifully crafted and live well. That includes making sure your home doesn’t sound like a Broadway chair-throwing from rooftops honky-tonk when you’re trying to enjoy your sanctuary space. Most homeowners don’t think about soundproofing—until they move in and realize their dream home has the acoustics of a gymnasium. Planning for sound control from the start saves you from costly "why can I hear everything ?" regrets later. Here’s why soundproofing should be high on your priority list: Your sanctuary deserves peace – Whether it's your primary suite, home office, or nursery, some spaces should feel like a quiet escape. City noise is real – If you're near a busy street, highway, or commercial area, soundproofing helps block out the urban soundtrack. Good sound, where you want it – Home theaters, home music studios ( here in Music City? Who'd have 'thunk it? ), and media rooms benefit from controlled acoustics. Resale appeal – A quiet home is a more desirable home, especially in Nashville’s sought-after urban neighborhoods. Top Soundproofing Solutions for a More Comfortable Home Soundproofing isn’t just about stuffing some insulation in the walls and calling it a day. It’s a mix of smart building techniques and high-performance materials. Here’s how we do it at Artisan Build Construct: 1. Insulation: The Foundation of Comfort and Soundproofing You might think insulation is just for keeping your home cozy, but it’s also your first line of defense against noise. Installing high-quality sound batt insulation is one of the most effective ways to reduce noise transfer. We use: Mineral wool (Rockwool) – The top performer for noise reduction and fire resistance. Fiberglass – A more budget-friendly, but not as effective as mineral wool. Cellulose – Recycled and great for sneaky little sound leaks in tight spaces. Open-Cell Spray Foam – A versatile option that not only provides excellent thermal insulation but also absorbs sound, reducing airborne noise transmission. It’s especially useful for walls, ceilings, and attics where sound control and energy efficiency are both priorities. 2. Soundproof Drywall & Mass-Loaded Vinyl (MLV) Standard drywall doesn't do much for sound control. Our advice is to invest in better than standard drywall thoughtfully in specific areas. That’s why we opt for: Soundproof drywall (like QuietRock) – Because some things should stay private. Mass-loaded vinyl (MLV) – Adds mass to walls and ceilings, stopping sound waves in their tracks. Ideal for home theaters, bedrooms, and avoid ing your teenager’s rendition of *Guitar Town* and other disaffected alt-country tunes he has recently discovered from the kid at the vinyl shop in East Nashville, Romantic-Poet-Hippie-Scallywags . 3. Acoustical Sealants & Decoupling: Stop the Sneaky Sounds Noise sneaks through the tiniest gaps—around windows, doors, electrical boxes. Acoustical sealants help fill those gaps, while decoupling techniques (like creating air gaps in walls and ceilings) disrupt sound waves before they become your problem. 4. Soundproof Flooring: Because Footsteps Are Loud Hardwood and tile look stunning but can amplify every step, drop, and furniture shuffle. We recommend: Acoustic underlayments – Made from foam, cork, rubber, or felt to reduce impact noise. Carpet & area rugs – Yes, they’re stylish, but they also double as sound absorbers. So Really-Really, Why Choose Artisan Build Construct for Your Nashville Remodel? You’re investing in a home that’s both beautiful and functional. Here’s why we’re the team to collaborate with to make it happen: We specialize in well-crafted and intentional high-end custom builds and renovations – From full-gut remodels to award-winning historic preservation work, we craft homes with impeccable attention to detail. We prioritize livability, not just looks – Your home should work as beautifully as it looks . We know Nashville’s unique challenges – City noise, historic district rules, climate factors—and we tailor solutions to your specific needs. We use top-tier materials and techniques – Ensuring your home stays quiet, comfortable, and energy-efficient for years to come. Make Your Dream Home a Reality—with the Quiet You Deserve Your custom home should be a sanctuary , not a soundstage. Whether you're planning a full home renovation, an addition, or a new build, integrating soundproofing from the start will take your home's comfort to the next level. With Artisan Build Construct, you get expert craftsmanship, thoughtful design, and a team that truly cares about how your home lives . Ready to turn down the volume and turn up the comfort? Contact Artisan Build Construct today to discuss your custom home or renovation project in Nashville!
Interior design trends are often cyclical, breathing new life into traditional materials with a contemporary twist. In 2025, we're seeing a resurgence of timeless wall finishes that blend old-world charm with modern aesthetics. At the forefront of this trend is micro concrete , but it doesn’t stop there. Plaster, Roman Clay, Lime Wash, and Tadelakt are making a strong comeback, transforming spaces with their unique textures and artisanal appeal. Artisan Build Construct is leading the way, offering the tools, expertise, and innovative techniques to elevate your interiors with these stunning finishes.
If you have never experienced a remodel or big home project before, you may be feeling very nervous, not knowing exactly what to expect. How much will it cost? How long will it take? How are you going to live in a construction zone? I am sure there are a lot of questions running through your mind right now. Well you have found a great place to start. Knowing exactly what you are getting yourself into will reduce the risk of unforeseen circumstances that could result in overly lengthy and costly projects.
The continuous run of floor tiles from the main bathroom area into the shower exemplifies the streamlined and clean feel a zero-threshold shower adds to a room. Beyond the aesthetics, a curb-less shower is also a thoughtful consideration for wheelchair access and practical aging in place planning.
We were able to open up a kitchen area during one of our a recently-completed projects. This required removing a dividing wall from the dining room into the kitchen, removing a peninsula island, and changing out window and patio door locations. The new open flow was especially beneficial for a white kitchen because it bolsters the bright and airy feel the owner and design team were going for in the first place.
Are you noticing that your once perfect house is now way too small? Every direction you turn you’re running into things, over things and nothing has a place? It’s time for more space. For many people, selling is not an option. Whether it’s sentimental value or the housing market, if additional space is a necessity, a home addition may be your best bet. So is building up, digging down or adding on the best way to maximize your square footage? Let’s take a look.
Too often when your home has damage due to a severe weather event, like many of us in Nashville just experienced, the first people to show up are the last people you want around – the Chasers. The terms “Storm Chasers” refer to restoration or roofing contractors who monitor scanners for weather alerts and emergency service communications and then rush out to our community and take advantage of vulnerable consumers.
In the wake of a disaster, your emotions can and do impact decision making – and when you are suddenly dealing with insurance companies and repair contractors, you can feel overwhelmed with the decisions you have to make, sometimes resulting in being shortchanged or with lower quality craftsmanship. Below are some tips to make smart decisions after disaster strikes.
