Frequently Asked Questions

Start by writing down your budget, your must-haves, and your desires for the remodeling experience. What would a great experience be like for you? What is your vision for this new space? Getting clear on all these details first helps you with your next step: interviewing contractors to find the best fit. While we know your first remodeling project can feel daunting, it really can be fun and exciting!

At Kraft, we perform custom construction work where every job is unique, and we take pride in standing behind our word. Therefore, we can’t predict how long it will take to complete your project during our very first phone call. Instead, we start planning to diligently assess the scope of work, the availability of necessary materials, and the schedules of our trade contractors. Using true information, we develop a complete project schedule and review it with you before construction begins, so you are informed of the complete timeline and what’s happening on your project – down to the day.

The cost of your project is based on multiple factors, such as the design and scope of work, the time it takes to complete, the quality of materials and finishes, and the trade contractors employed. Since every project and client are unique, it’s important to define these factors upfront and not rely on assumptions when providing pricing. At Kraft, we set aside time in the Planning Phase and work as a team to define these factors, so when we give you a price, the price is accurate.

Some contractors may quote you a price after their initial meeting, yet they don’t have the plan or the details needed to arrive at that price. This can leave you with numerous change orders and surprise costs down the line, leading to distrust and frustration with your contractor. Through our years of experience, we’ve found that doing our homework upfront allows us to quote you a price that we can stand behind.

Of course! We understand the special complexities of restoring and renovating old homes. Itʼs a passion of our owner, Robert Kraft, who has chaired the City of Salem Historic Landmarks Commission and currently sits on the board of the Architectural Heritage Center in Portland. Weʼre up to speed on regulatory issues should we need to do a Design Review on your historic structure. Having worked with multiple municipalities, weʼre familiar with all the requirements of the old home remodel process.

Yes. We love new construction projects and like to be involved from the very beginning. We work with you and the design team to ensure the entire process is smooth and provides you with a beautiful space you’ll love. Check out some of our new construction projects by visiting the project Portfolio. (See: Historic Farmhouse Reconstruction & New Modern Ranch House).

While the homeowner does contract separately with their architect and interior designer, we can recommend pros we love who would be a great fit for you. And because design/build projects go much more smoothly when weʼre involved from the start, we prefer to work with the architect or interior designer throughout the entire process, whether they are a firm we suggest, or you select on your own.

Weʼre happy to work with you if your project involves an insurance claim. However, because you are the insured party, you are responsible for communicating with your insurance company directly. Keep in mind, most insurance companies only pay a fraction of what a project tends to cost. Typically you can expect to pay some out-of-pocket costs when working with an insurance claim.