Remodeling Guide
How a kitchen or bathroom remodel works in Hartford, Connecticut
Hodnett Greene LLC is a remodeling contractor at 55 Hartland Street in Hartford, Connecticut. We build kitchens, bathrooms, basements, decks and additions across the greater Hartford area. This guide explains how a remodel is planned, sequenced and priced — the same process we follow on every project we take on.
The five phases of a remodel
Almost every kitchen or bathroom project runs through the same five phases. The order never changes, because each one depends on the inspection that comes before it.
1. Plan the space before anything is ordered
We measure the existing room, note what is structural, and decide the layout first. In Hartford homes built between 1890 and 1950 a layout change — moving a sink, adding an island, relocating a toilet — usually costs more than any finish choice, so it belongs at the start of the conversation, not the middle.
2. Permits and inspections
As your general contractor we prepare the permit drawings, file with the city, and schedule the inspections: rough plumbing, rough electrical, framing, and final. Nothing is covered with drywall until an inspector has signed off, which protects your resale and your insurance.
3. Demolition and rough-in
Demolition reveals the real condition of the room. Then our plumbers and electricians run new supply lines, drains, circuits and lighting, and the mechanical work is inspected in place.
4. Finishes
Insulation and drywall first, then waterproofing and tile, then cabinetry and countertops, then plumbing trim, electrical devices and paint. Every trade is sequenced so nothing gets installed and then torn back out to let the next trade in.
5. Punch list and walkthrough
We walk the finished room with you, write down anything that is not right, and close it out before the final invoice. You receive a written list of what was completed and the warranty terms for the work.
What drives the cost of a kitchen or bath remodel
Two kitchens of the same size can land at very different numbers. In our experience six factors explain almost all of the difference:
- Layout changes: moving plumbing, gas or a load-bearing wall costs more than replacing fixtures in place.
- Cabinetry: box construction, drawer hardware and door style separate a ten-year kitchen from a thirty-year one.
- Countertops: quartz and natural stone are priced very differently once edge profiles and seams are included.
- Tile scope: large-format tile, marble and herringbone patterns take far more labor than a simple subway layout.
- Systems: bringing wiring, plumbing vents and exhaust up to current code is often the largest hidden line item.
- Existing conditions: plaster walls, uneven floors and old drains are common in Hartford and affect schedule.
How long a remodel takes
A full kitchen typically runs six to ten weeks on site once permits are in hand. A hall bathroom is usually three to five weeks; a primary bath with layout changes runs five to eight. Basement finishes and additions run longer, and deck builds are weather dependent.
Design, selections and permitting happen before that clock starts and usually take another four to six weeks. Every project gets a written schedule with the inspection dates marked, so you always know what is happening in your house this week.
Questions to ask any remodeling contractor
- 01Who will actually be on site each day, and who do I call with a question?
- 02Is the scope written line by line, including allowances for tile, cabinets and fixtures?
- 03What is the payment schedule, and how are change orders priced and approved?
- 04Who pulls the permits, and are inspection results shared with me?
- 05What does the schedule look like week by week, and what typically moves it?
- 06What warranty do you offer on labor and on the products you supply?
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of projects does Hodnett Greene LLC take on?
Kitchens, bathrooms, basements, decks and additions, plus the plumbing and electrical work those projects require. We work on occupied homes throughout Hartford and the surrounding suburbs.
Can we live in the house during construction?
Usually yes for kitchen work, with a temporary setup outside the work zone. Most clients stay home through a bathroom remodel as well; we keep one working bath in service and dust barriers up at the end of each day.
Can I supply my own cabinets or tile?
Yes. We will confirm dimensions, lead times and site conditions before you order, so a long lead time or an undersized cabinet does not stall the schedule.
How do we start?
Send a consultation request through our contact page or call (860) 778-9263. We will visit, measure the space and follow up with a written scope and schedule.
Ready to plan your project?
Send us the room and what bothers you about it today — we will bring the plan.