In most cases, you don’t need an outside architect. We have the in-house expertise to create and develop the plans needed to both design and build your project.

When outside engineering is required, we bring in trusted trade partners who we’ve worked with for years. This integrated approach keeps the process efficient and coordinated.

We use a blend of our own skilled employees and carefully selected trade partners, many of whom we’ve worked with for decades. After more than 25 years in the business, we’ve built trusted relationships and work with the same professionals from project to project, which ensures consistent craftsmanship and shared standards.

Every project is led by a dedicated McDonald Remodeling project manager who oversees the details, coordinates our team and trade partners, and maintains clear communication from start to finish. This collaborative approach allows us to deliver a well-managed remodeling experience.

Our process is the foundation of every successful remodel we complete. It’s a straight-forward, modern build process that helps projects stay on track and deliver lasting results.

Over the past 25+ years, we’ve continually refined and strengthened the process to create a clear path from the first meeting through the final walkthrough. We invest significant time upfront to keep timeframes moving as planned during construction.

You can learn more on our Process page.

Clear communication is one of the most important parts of a successful remodeling experience. Keeping homeowners, project managers and trade partners on the same page is essential to minimizing surprises and ensuring expectations are met.

We use a construction management platform called Buildertrend, which gives all parties access to the project details in one place. It houses selections, daily logs, change orders, and the live construction schedule and provides real-time updates throughout the project.

That said, technology doesn’t replace personal connection. Your dedicated project manager is always available for conversations and questions. Sometimes a straightforward phone call is still the best way to communicate.

The overall timeline depends on the size and scope of your project, but every remodel moves through a clear set of steps that keep the project organized and on track.

Discovery (1–2 weeks): We start by learning about your goals, priorities, and budget. During this phase, we talk about what’s realistic for your space and provide a preliminary budget to help guide the next steps.

Design Phase (1–2 months): If you choose to move forward, the project enters the Design Agreement phase which is the creative portion of the process. With a clear understanding of how your space needs to function, we develop a conceptual design showing what your new space could look like. From there, we define the scope and prepare a detailed proposal outlining all aspects of the project, along with a final fixed-price contract.

Refinement Phase (1–2 months): Next, you’ll work with our design team to choose the finishes and materials for your space—cabinetry, wood finishes, fixtures, paint colors, tile, flooring, and more. The goal is to make all major decisions before construction starts so there are fewer surprises later.

Construction Phase (Typically 3–4 months): Construction timelines vary depending on the size and complexity of the project, but most fall within this range. Because we’ve done the planning upfront, construction tends to move in a steady, organized way.

Please note that these timelines are general estimates and will vary based on the size and scope of your project. Our goal is to always keep the process moving forward.

Over the years, we’ve completed many projects and can provide a ballpark range for your project during our initial meeting. To give you an accurate, reliable price, we need to enter into a design agreement that allows us to thoughtfully evaluate your space, create design options, document existing conditions, and develop detailed plans. We bring our trade partners on site for a full walkthrough, so every aspect of the project is carefully reviewed and priced.

This process results in a thorough proposal and a fixed-price contract, not a rough estimate. It also ensures the design and scope align with your goals before construction begins.

The design agreement is the first real step in a working relationship, and we take that commitment seriously. It’s how we provide a plan you can move forward with confidently.

We regularly work with outside designers and architects and are comfortable collaborating as part of the team. Our role remains the same, to provide clear communication, solid project management, and quality craftsmanship throughout construction.

In most cases, clients are able to stay in their homes during construction with some temporary adjustments. For example, during a kitchen remodel, many homeowners set up a temporary kitchen in another area of the house. We talk through logistics ahead of time so you know what to expect and can plan accordingly.

Unfortunately, some dust is unavoidable with any home renovation. We take steps to contain it as much as possible by installing site protection and isolating work areas. At the end of the project, professional cleaners thoroughly clean the spaces where work took place.

Your project manager will coordinate the schedule and keep you informed about who will be on site and when. You will also have access to the live construction schedule through the Buildertrend platform, where you can see upcoming work and the team members assigned to each phase.

At the completion of every project, our owner, Chris Wylie, and your project manager will conduct a final walkthrough with you to review the work and ensure everything meets our standards and your expectations.

Our contract includes a one-year workmanship warranty, a two-year mechanical warranty, and a ten-year structural warranty.

We believe the work we do should perform as designed. If something needs attention, we want to know about it. We approach issues with the same mindset, standing behind our work and working toward a resolution when needed.

Once you move into the design stage, there is a fee. During this time, we evaluate your space, develop design options, and create the plans needed to accurately price your project.

The design agreement requires payment because of the time and detail involved in this work. That fee is applied to the total cost of your project when you move forward with the construction contract.

McDonald Remodeling retains ownership of the design plans, specifications, and related documents throughout the process, regardless of whether the project moves into construction.

Our interior designers guide you through the selection process from start to finish. They help you choose finishes and materials that fit your space, your style, and your budget.

Staffed by our designers, our in-house Design Studio is a resource available to you as part of your project. It’s filled with design ideas, from kitchen displays to hardwood flooring, natural stone, tile, countertop options, and more. When needed, our designers will also accompany you to outside showrooms to source additional items.

Our job is to help you figure it out. We start by talking through what’s working in your space and what isn’t, along with your goals for how you want it to function and feel. From there, we develop a design plan and review it with you. We continue refining the design together until it meets your needs and feels right for your home.

The best place to start is by looking at what’s working in your home and what isn’t. Think about your goals for how you want your home to function and what would make the biggest difference in your day-to-day life.

From there, we can sort through immediate needs versus longer-term wants. Your budget helps guide those decisions – what makes sense to address now and what can wait. We’ll help you prioritize and create a plan that feels realistic and manageable.

We talk about budget early in the process and keep it front and center as we shape the project. The key is to make sure the scope of the project and the budget line up. As we design and plan, we’re constantly weighing decisions against your budget. If something pushes beyond it, we’ll talk through options and adjustments together, so the plan stays workable.

We work on projects of all sizes, from individual bathrooms and kitchens to additions, lower levels, and whole-home remodels. Whether it’s a smaller update or a large-scale renovation, the approach is the same. The relationship we build and the experience you have matter just as much as the size of the project. Our focus is on doing the work well and standing behind it.

Allowances are used as placeholders in the budget for items that haven’t been selected yet. Over the years, we’ve refined our allowance ranges to reflect typical client spending.

Once selections are made, the actual costs are reconciled against the original allowance. If the final selection is above or below that amount, the budget is adjusted accordingly.

We do not charge a separate fee to process change orders. However, changes can affect the schedule and may add time to the design or construction phase, depending on what is being adjusted.

Payment is due when the design agreement is signed, when the proposal is signed and at the signing of your final contracts. Once construction begins, payments are made through a flat pay schedule tied to clearly identifiable stages of the project. This structure keeps everything predictable as work moves forward.

We expect the initial proposal pricing to fall within the budget range discussed earlier in the process.

If pricing comes in higher than expected, we’ll review the scope together and talk through wants versus needs. From there, we can explore design adjustments or alternative options to help bring the project costs back into alignment.