Host: Joining us this morning from Edge Construction is Mike. Mike, how are you doing this week?
Mike: Doing well.
Host: You and I usually spend the first part of the show talking about something completely unrelated, and today we were talking about the amount of math that goes into carpentry. I do not think people fully appreciate how much math is involved.
Mike: I was showing Sean before we started how to use the calculator on my phone to figure out baluster spacing on stairways. He was fascinated. It really is amazing. Those are the kinds of trade skills that good carpenters develop over time.
Host: And that is something people may not think about. You do not have to be a math wizard, but it definitely helps.
Mike: Absolutely. There is a lot more to this work than people realize. It is not just physical labor. It is very cerebral. Your brain has to do a lot of work, too.
Host: That is true. And before we get into this week’s topic—which is kind of a “choose your own adventure” approach to remodeling—I want to mention something about the team at Edge Construction. One thing that seems really important to you is not just hiring smart people, but people who are eager to learn.
Mike: Yes, you can tell when somebody is really getting into the trade. They get hungry for the next thing. They want to see more, learn more, do more. It gets in your blood. Those people are a lot of fun to work with.
Host: And it seems like that curiosity matters because there is so much to learn.
Mike: It does. Some people want to learn how to build a great staircase, but they are not always excited about learning the math behind it. But understanding that part takes you to another level.
Host: And that is true for designers, too. They may think in color, space, and theory, but all of that still has to go into CAD programs with very specific measurements.
Mike: Exactly. Designers are not immune from math either. There are rules of thumb, standards, measurements, and requirements that all have to be followed.
Host: And with carpentry, you are walking into unique situations every single time. No two staircases are the same. No two homes are the same.
Mike: Right. There are never two exactly alike. And when you really understand the math behind what you are building, it helps you solve those unique problems much better.
Host: It also helps people appreciate the finished product when they look at those project photos on your website. There is a lot more behind that beautiful end result than most people realize.
Mike: There really is.
Asking Questions During a Remodel
Host: This week we are talking through different situations homeowners may run into during a remodel—kind of like a choose-your-own-adventure guide to the process. Let us start with one that feels really important: You get an invoice from your builder, and there is a line item you do not understand. What do you do?
Mike: The answer should be simple: ask. But not everyone reacts that way.
When you start a remodeling project, you sign a contract and typically give a deposit. Then, once work starts, there are billing points. For us, that might be after concrete, framing, mechanicals, drywall, countertop template, or project completion, depending on the job.
Homeowners absolutely should ask questions. We encourage it. The worst thing you can do is let a question sit there and fester.
Host: That is good advice in a lot of parts of life, really.
Mike: It is. We have a project right now where we added a master suite above a garage. One billing point was tied to roofing and siding. The roofing was finished a while ago, but the siding was delayed because it was special order, and we are still waiting on a couple of pieces.
In our company, we would not bill for that until it is truly done. But another contractor might handle that differently, and that is exactly why homeowners need to ask questions.
Host: And I think that is where knowing how billing points work becomes important.
Mike: Yes. Once construction starts, a lot of communication usually shifts to the person running the day-to-day job. If it is a design question, you may go back to the designer. But today, communication is easy. There is really no reason not to ask.
Host: Are billing points part of the contract?
Mike: They should be. On a smaller job, there may only be one or two billing points. On a larger job, there might be five or six. We try to space them out in a way that makes sense for the size of the project.
All of that should be laid out clearly in the contract so homeowners know what to expect. That way, when a bill comes, they can compare it to the contract and understand whether it lines up.
Host: Do homeowners get more comfortable asking those questions as the relationship builds?
Mike: I think so. Some people are comfortable talking about money right away. Others are not. But that conversation really should start from day one. The first time we walk into your house, we need to talk about budget, payment structure, and how the process works.
A lot of homeowners also have money coming from a third party, like an investment account or financing source, so they want to understand timing.
A Word About Remodeling Fraud
Host: You brought up something really important earlier—fraud.
Mike: Yes. There are a lot of scams out there. We had a homeowner get an email from someone pretending to be connected to a title company, asking them to send a large payment so the contractor could be paid.
Thankfully, the homeowner called us first, because it was fake.
We will never send an email asking someone to wire money like that. We are very clear about how payments are handled, and we remind homeowners regularly because the scams are getting more sophisticated.
Host: That is a really important reminder. Ask questions, do your research, and never assume an email is legitimate just because it looks official.
Mike: Exactly.
Timelines, Planning, and Communication
Host: Another common question homeowners have is about timelines. It is important for everyone to understand the schedule, right?
Mike: It is. Remodeling has a lot of moving parts. You have to be organized. We have people on our team who are excellent at that—tracking details, lead times, selections, and ordering schedules—and that makes a huge difference.
Some homeowners want to know exactly what is happening and when. They have kids, pets, jobs, or they work from home. They want to know when it will be noisy, when power may be off, and what time people are arriving. Those are good conversations to have before the work begins.
Host: I imagine that matters a lot in couples, too. One person may care more about design choices, while the other is focused on schedule or logistics.
Mike: Absolutely. Usually, couples naturally divide responsibilities based on their strengths. One person may take the lead on kitchen selections, while the other handles financial details or broader planning. It really helps us when homeowners communicate those roles clearly.
Dust, Noise, and the Reality of Remodeling
Host: One of the “choose your own adventure” questions in the transcript is: What is your biggest complaint about remodeling? Dust and noise have to be near the top of the list.
Mike: They are. Those are just realities of the process.
We work hard to contain dust and minimize disruption. We put up plastic barriers, protect spaces, and communicate what is happening. But in the early part of a remodel, especially during demolition and framing, things can feel pretty overwhelming.
If a homeowner has never been through a remodel before, they may have a TV version of it in their mind where demo lasts ten minutes and everything is magically cleaned up. Real life is different.
Host: And that affects pets and kids, too.
Mike: Definitely. Pets can be really bothered by noise. Kids are naturally curious, and construction sites are full of tools and materials that can be dangerous.
Those conversations matter. We need to talk about where pets will be, how children will be kept safe, and what expectations should be during active work hours.
Neighbors Matter Too
Host: And this is also a good time to think about neighbors, especially as we head into summer and more people are around during the day.
Mike: Yes. Neighbors are part of the process whether we like it or not. There are trucks, deliveries, crews, noise, and parking issues. In tighter neighborhoods—or especially downtown—that can be a challenge.
I always recommend homeowners talk to their neighbors before work starts. Give them a heads-up. Sometimes neighbors are incredibly helpful. They may offer parking, space for staging, or just a little patience and flexibility.
Host: And if you are on good terms with your neighbors, that probably makes everything easier.
Mike: It does. We have had a lot of great neighbors over the years. And often those neighbors become future clients, because they have seen our work firsthand and heard directly from the homeowner what the experience was like.
A lot of our work comes from referrals, and there is nothing better than someone saying, “They worked on our neighbor’s house, and they did a great job.”
Handling Problems and Managing Expectations
Host: One of the best points in this conversation is that remodeling is not about avoiding every possible issue. It is about how problems are handled when they come up.
Mike: Exactly. No project is perfect. Houses are unique. You never know exactly what you are going to find once you open things up.
What matters is how your remodeler responds. Do they communicate? Do they solve the problem? Do they keep the job moving? That is what really defines the experience.
Host: And a year later, when you are enjoying the finished space, you probably are not going to remember every little hiccup along the way.
Mike: Usually not. You will remember the result.
The Emotional Side of Remodeling
Host: Another thing people forget is that remodeling is emotional. Even if you hate your old kitchen, there is still something emotional about tearing into the home you have lived in and built memories in.
Mike: Absolutely. One example I never saw coming was refrigerators that do not hold magnets. For some homeowners, that is a big deal. Their whole life was on that fridge—kids’ art, photos, reminders, invitations. Then suddenly that little daily ritual is gone.
There is a real emotional component to these spaces. Remodeling is not just construction. It is changing the place where your life happens.
Host: That is such a good point.
Final Thoughts
Host: This has been a really helpful conversation. The big takeaway seems to be: ask questions, communicate clearly, know your contract, understand the process, and work with a contractor you trust.
Mike: That is exactly it. A healthy amount of skepticism is fine. Homeowners should absolutely ask questions and stay informed. But it is also important to build trust and work as a team.
Host: If you are thinking about remodeling, Mike and the team at Edge Construction would love to talk with you. Learn more at EdgeConstructionCompany.com or give them a call at 608-636-3343.