What's your project, really?

Most remodels fall into one of four sizes. Knowing which one you're in sets the budget conversation, the timeline and the permits. Here's what each looks like.

Refresh

Same layout, new surfaces

Paint, counters, fixtures, lighting, flooring and cabinet updates without moving walls or plumbing. The fastest, least disruptive way to modernize a room.

Timeline: Usually weeks

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Kitchen refresh

Starting point Builder-grade kitchen with oak cabinets and laminate counters

Finished example Bright kitchen with white shaker cabinets, a farmhouse sink and a large window

Hall bath refresh

Starting point Dated bathroom with blue tile walls and floor

Finished example Updated hall bathroom with a gray vanity and white fixtures

Full remodel

Down to the studs, same footprint

New cabinets, tile, wiring and plumbing within the existing space. Layout tweaks are common; walls usually stay put. Expect building and trade permits.

Timeline: Usually 1–3 months

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Kitchen remodel

Starting point Dated kitchen with oak cabinets and a checkered vinyl floor

Finished example Remodeled kitchen with a marble waterfall island and white cabinets

Basement finish

Starting point Unfinished basement with exposed joists and a concrete floor

Finished example Finished basement family room with a fireplace and wood-look floors

Remodeled bathroom with marble walls, a double vanity and round mirrors

Transformation

New layout, more space

Additions, open floor plans, new primary suites and exterior makeovers. These involve structural work, engineered plans and, near the water, Critical Area review.

Timeline: Usually 3–9 months

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Addition + open-plan kitchen

Starting point Home addition under construction with a compact excavator in the yard

Finished example Open-plan kitchen with a long island and glass doors to the yard

Exterior and porch

Starting point Contractor working on new siding and trim on a porch roof

Finished example Craftsman-style home with a covered front porch and tapered columns

Primary bathroom with a freestanding tub, walk-in shower and wood vanity

Finished basement media room with a wood-slat ceiling and sectional sofa

New build

Ground-up custom homes

A new home on your lot or a teardown rebuild, from a builder registered with the state of Maryland. Site work, well and septic or sewer, and permits set the schedule.

Timeline: Usually 9–18 months

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Custom home

Starting point Roof framing on a new home under construction

Finished example White two-story home with a dark roof, a wraparound porch and a landscaped lawn

New custom home with large windows and a raised deck over the yard

Outdoor living

Decks, porches and patios

Often the best return on a Chesapeake-area home. Decks need a county building permit, and near the water, patios and decks count toward Critical Area lot coverage.

Decks and exteriors

Composite deck with black railings and outdoor furniture

Covered front porch with white columns and rocking chairs

Timelines are typical ranges for planning only. Actual schedules depend on scope, permits, inspections and materials.

Photos on this page are licensed stock images chosen to illustrate typical scope. They are not TBG or partner projects, and each "starting point" and "finished" pair shows different homes. We'll replace them with real local projects as they're completed.

Photo credits (via Unsplash): Mahrous Houses, Zac Gudakov, Peter Herrmann, Point3D Commercial Imaging Ltd., Brian Wangenheim, Josh Lemmon, aes, Samuel Cruz, Matt Adams, Roger Starnes Sr, Troy Mortier, Lumin Osity, Christian Mackie, GoodLifeConstruction, Ariel Domenden, Clay Banks, Eli Chamoun.

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