Maintaining customer satisfaction is a crucial aspect of any business, but it’s even more important for kitchen and bathroom contractors that have earned the prestigious Diamond Certified award. Gold Hammer Construction, Inc. upholds its reputation for providing excellent customer satisfaction by focusing intently on completing every project on time and within budget–a professional approach that’s endeared the company to its clients. “Professional service is our primary concern,” confirms owner Dave Hunt. “We’re dedicated to making each customer happy by paying attention to their needs and performing high-quality construction work.”

Mr. Hunt started working in the construction industry more than 25 years ago, when he was just 16 years old. He established Gold Hammer Construction, Inc. in 2002 to provide interior and exterior remodeling services for homeowners in Sonoma, Marin and Napa Counties. In addition to handling all aspects of its clients’ remodeling projects, the company builds home additions, removes acoustic ceilings, installs recessed lighting and more.

Unlike construction companies that only handle the building phase of a remodel or addition, Gold Hammer Construction, Inc. has the ability to work with its clients at any stage of their projects. “We can come in and build from an architect’s plans, but we can also bring an architect or designer on board and help the customer flesh out a general idea,” says Mr. Hunt. “We see each project through from beginning to end.”

Another distinguishing characteristic of Gold Hammer Construction, Inc. is its highly experienced employees, all of whom are trained to quickly solve problems by listening closely to clients’ questions and concerns. “Our employees are very easy to work with,” says Mr. Hunt. “Their friendly demeanors help keep homeowners calm during what’s often a stressful time. They excel at their jobs, and our clients can trust them completely.”

Before committing to a home addition project, make sure you understand the complexities of the process. A well-planned room addition can simultaneously increase the value of your home and provide newfound space, comfort and livability. Conversely, a poorly planned room addition can be financially draining and disruptive to everyday life, so it’s important to familiarize yourself with the process as much as possible before work begins. Consider the following tips for effectively planning a home addition project:

Determine market value
Before breaking ground on your home addition project, make sure you establish what you’re looking for in terms of additional living space. What will be the square footage of your addition? What kinds of rooms do you want to include? Does the addition require you to relocate utilities? Once you know the answers to these questions, compare the market values of homes in your area that have features similar to your proposed addition.

By gaining this information, you can accurately calculate the difference between your home’s current market value and its new market value. The difference between the two should be the maximum budget for your project. For instance, you wouldn’t want to spend $50,000 on an addition that yields a $25,000 increase to your home’s current market value.

Financing the project
If you’re not paying for the project with cash or savings, you’ll have to find financing. A home equity loan makes sense if the current mortgage rates are higher than your existing mortgage. However, if the current mortgage rates are lower than your existing mortgage, consider refinancing your entire home, including the cost of the addition project.

Architectural considerations
Pay attention to the size and scale of the project. Your home addition should transition seamlessly into the original design of your house, which means it shouldn’t be too big or small. Homeowners often lose sight of this rule and add large amounts of new living space without thinking of the outside appearance. It’s important to consider how new siding, doors, windows, rooflines and elevations will fit with the rest of your home’s exterior.

If you don’t have an architect working on the project, make some sketches of how your house’s exterior will look with its new addition. Show them to the building inspector during the permit process, even if they’re roughly drawn. Also, there are many Home Design software packages that can help you create such drawings on the computer.

Q: Is my estimate solid or will the costs grow as the project progresses?

A: The estimate is a solid price for your project. We’ve been working in this industry for many years, and we know what it takes to get the job done and what to expect behind the walls, ceilings and subfloors of your home.

Q: How long will my project take to complete?

A: Kitchen projects typically take four to six weeks to complete. Bathroom remodels take two to four weeks, depending on how elaborate the job is. A typical 1,000-square-foot addition takes approximately two to three months.

Q: Do I need to vacate my home during the project?

A: Typically, no. We’ll work with you to help you get on with your day-to-day life as much as possible. We keep the construction zone and surrounding areas clean, but if your home is being completely remodeled, it’s usually better to find temporary living arrangements elsewhere.

Q: Do you use subcontractors?

A: We have a core team of full-time employees, but we also have a number of experienced subcontractors we use for specialty work. If you’d prefer us to work with a certain tradesman, we’re open to that as well.

Q: Have you had any security issues with your employees?

A: No. All our employees have worked with us for several years and we’ve never had an issue. Once you meet them, you’ll trust them implicitly. They’re good, family-oriented people.