Custom Home & Remodeling FAQs
Find quick answers to common questions about planning, costs, timelines, permits, construction and what to expect when building a custom home or remodeling.
Budgets, drawings & early decisions
What types of projects does Cheramy Builders take on?
We build custom homes and take on substantial renovations, additions and whole-home remodeling projects. Our best-fit projects typically involve thoughtful planning, multiple trades and homeowners who value quality, communication and a well-managed process.
What areas do you serve?
We work throughout Dane County and surrounding communities, including Madison and nearby areas. If you’re unsure whether your project falls within our service area, reach out and we can talk through the location and scope.
How early should we contact a builder?
Earlier than you might think. You don’t need finished plans or every detail figured out before reaching out. Getting a builder involved early can help you better understand feasibility, budget and construction considerations before too many decisions are locked in.
If you’re hoping to build in spring or summer, reaching out in the fall or winter before gives you the most flexibility.
When is the best time to start planning a project?
How much lead time you need depends on the project: a kitchen remodel, an addition and a new custom home all run on very different timelines. Every project, though, has design, selections, permits and material ordering to work through before construction starts, and that takes time.
If you’re hoping to build in spring or summer, late fall and winter are a great time to start planning. Spring and summer are the busiest building months in Wisconsin, so planning ahead gives you more flexibility on start dates and more time to make decisions without feeling rushed.
Interior work like kitchens, whole-home remodels and lower levels can happen year-round. Additions, new homes and exterior work can start in winter too, but frozen ground and cold weather can add time and cost for foundations and concrete. We’ll talk through what makes sense for your project and timeline.
Do we need finished plans or an architect before contacting you?
No. You can reach out at whatever stage you’re in.
Many of our projects start with an architect or designer already involved, and we value those partnerships. Bringing a builder in during design helps keep plans aligned with budget, site conditions and constructability before decisions are locked in. We work alongside your design team from early planning through the final walkthrough.
Other homeowners come to us earlier, while they’re still exploring ideas, feasibility and budget. In those cases, we can help you think through what’s possible and, if your project calls for it, connect you with architects and designers we trust.
There isn’t one right order. What matters most is starting the conversation early enough that everyone is working from the same plan.
Can you recommend an architect or designer?
Yes. We work with architects and interior designers across Dane County and know whose style and process fit which kinds of homes. After a first conversation and site walk, we’ll recommend the right design partner for your project and stay involved from the start, so the design is priced and planned for the way it will be built.
How do you determine if my project is feasible before we commit?
We start by looking closely at the site, the existing home, what you want to accomplish, and the budget you’re working within. Sometimes the best path forward isn’t exactly what you first imagined. If we see something that could affect feasibility, cost, or scope, we talk about it early and explain the alternatives. The goal is to understand what’s realistic before you invest too far in drawings or design.
How much does this cost, and how do we build a budget before we’ve designed anything?
A useful budget can take shape before every design detail is decided. It starts with understanding your goals, the scope of the work, the site, and the major decisions likely to affect cost. From there, we develop a preliminary estimate and walk through it with you line by line, including the assumptions behind the numbers. The goal is to give you a realistic understanding of the investment before you’re too far into design.
We’re getting estimates from a few builders. Why are they all so different, and how do we know who to trust?
Get multiple estimates. You should. But don’t compare only the number at the bottom. Look at what’s actually included. Two estimates for the same work can be based on very different assumptions, material allowances, scopes of work and levels of detail. Ask each builder what is included, what isn’t, where allowances have been used and what assumptions were made. The more clearly you can see what’s behind each number, the easier it is to make a meaningful comparison. To keep it simple, bring our Comparing estimates worksheet to each meeting and write down what you hear side by side.
Who handles permits, and how long does that take in Dane County?
Permit requirements and review times vary by municipality and by the type of work being done. They can also affect when construction can realistically begin. Cheramy Builders manages the permitting process and tracks required reviews and inspections along the way. We account for that time in the schedule rather than assuming every approval will happen on the same timeline.
How long does the whole process take, start to finish?
It depends on the scope. A kitchen renovation, whole-home remodel, addition, and custom home all have very different timelines. And construction is only part of it. Design, selections, permitting, material lead times, and trade availability can all affect the schedule before and during the build. Once the scope is defined, a detailed construction schedule should show when the major phases and trades are expected to happen and give you a much clearer picture of the timeline for your home.
What it is like while the work is happening
How will we know what’s happening with our project?
We keep homeowners informed throughout the project about progress, upcoming decisions, scheduling and anything that may affect the work ahead. You shouldn’t have to wonder what’s happening or what you need to be thinking about next.
How involved do I need to be day-to-day?
You shouldn’t have to manage the construction yourself. There will be decisions that need your input, but coordinating trades, suppliers, schedules, deliveries, and day-to-day construction details is the builder’s responsibility. A good process should make it clear when you need to be involved, what decision needs to be made, and when it needs to happen. Your level of involvement in the fun parts, like selections and seeing the progress, can be as much or as little as you prefer.
Who’s actually working in my home?
Depending on the work, you’ll see members of the Cheramy Builders team along with the trade partners needed for each phase of construction. Many of those relationships go back years. Just as important as the quality of their work is the understanding that they’re working in someone’s home, around their belongings and everyday life. We expect everyone working with us to treat your home accordingly.
How do selections work, and when do we have to make them?
Selections happen in stages, not all at once. We help keep track of what needs to be chosen, when decisions need to be finalized and how those choices may affect budget, ordering and schedule. The goal is to keep the process moving without making everything feel urgent at once.
What happens if we want to change something mid-construction?
Changes happen. Sometimes you see the space taking shape and realize you want something different; other times construction uncovers a reason the original plan needs to change. Before moving ahead, make sure you understand what the change means for cost, materials, and schedule. We talk through those impacts with you so you can decide whether the change is worth making.
How do you handle unexpected issues or costs?
Unexpected issues can come up, especially in renovations where some conditions aren’t visible until work begins. Material availability, lead times, existing construction, and site conditions can also affect cost or schedule. What matters is how those issues are handled. When something comes up, we explain what we found, what the options are, and what each option could mean for the budget and schedule before deciding how to move forward.
What’s it like living in our home while the work is happening?
Dust, noise, and disruption are part of living through a renovation, and it helps to know what to expect before work begins. Before construction starts, you should understand which areas will be affected, how long different phases are expected to last, and whether there will be times when kitchens, bathrooms, entrances, or other parts of the home aren’t available. During construction, we work to contain the mess to the work area, protect the parts of the home that aren’t involved, and remain mindful that this is still your home while the work is happening.
Our relationship doesn’t end when the work does
How do you handle the final walkthrough and punch list?
A final walkthrough is the opportunity to go through the finished work together and identify anything that still needs attention. We walk the space with you, document remaining punch-list items, and make sure those details are addressed as the work is closed out. It’s an important part of finishing well, not something to rush through just because construction is nearly complete.
What happens if something needs fixing after we move in?
Sometimes something needs attention after you’ve had a chance to live with the finished work. If that happens, reach out. We remain available after construction is complete and can help determine what needs to be addressed and what the next step should be. Handoff shouldn’t mean losing the relationship you built during construction.
Who do we call if something comes up six months later?
Call us. You’ll use the same contact you had during the build, and you won’t have to start over explaining your home to someone who has never seen it. We know the work that was done and can help figure out what needs attention.
Still have a question?
Every home and situation is different. Tell us what you’re thinking about, and we’ll help you figure out where to start.