Planning a remodel for your South Jersey home? We know the prospect often comes with as much anxiety as it does excitement – worries of loud noises, big messes, and disrupted routines. That’s not to mention concerns about whether the job will be done right, at a fair price, and within a reasonable timeframe.
At Ayars, we proactively counter anxiety with transparency, communication, and professionalism. With that in mind, here’s everything you need to know about your first remodeling project with us.
We are craftsmen at heart. We value things that stand the test of time, and our customers tend to feel the same way. But if you’re wondering about how much a quality remodel costs – and the whats and whys that factor into that – here’s the breakdown.
The size and complexity of a project are its biggest cost drivers. More square footage = more material and more time. Major structural changes and utility work require extra care and attention (and require additional permits and inspections), adding to the cost. Special touches like custom carpentry, intricate design features, or integrated smart technology are luxuries that are reflected in the pricing.
Bargain-level products may be passable in the short term, but when they degrade within a few years, you’re right back where you started.
An investment in high-quality materials and finishes is an investment in the overall result and longevity of your project, and it is non-negotiable with us.
Great ideas and quality materials are ultimately wasted without the resourcefulness, skill, and creativity to apply them successfully. We are adamant about craftsmanship and only employ genuinely skilled laborers with a background in finish carpentry.
This isn’t “just a job” for us; it’s our passion. Finding like-minded people is not easy, but the difference is undeniable.
A successful remodel balances vision with reality. Smart planning means making intentional choices about where to invest—not doing less, but doing what matters most, and doing it well.
Before demolition begins, get clear on what’s essential and what’s aspirational.
Not every dream remodel needs to happen at once. Phasing your project across months or years can make an ambitious vision financially manageable—without compromising quality.
Keys to phasing effectively:
Ayars can help you develop a phased master plan, ensuring each stage stands on its own while setting you up for seamless future work.
Every remodel has places where premium choices pay off—and places where smart value decisions make more sense.
Splurge on:
Save on:
We’ll share honest recommendations on where to invest and where good enough is truly good enough.
A well-planned remodel considers not just today’s needs, but tomorrow’s possibilities.
We help you balance personal enjoyment with smart investment; you should love your space while protecting your equity.
| Project Type | Scope of Work | Average Construction Timeline (Weeks) | Key Factors Affecting Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bathroom | Full gut and remodel (e.g., new tub/shower, toilet, vanity, flooring, electrical/plumbing rough-in). | 3 – 8 Weeks | Size (half-bath vs. master bath), custom tile work, relocation of plumbing/fixtures, and custom vanity lead times. |
| Kitchen | Full gut and remodel (e.g., new cabinets, countertops, appliances, flooring, electrical/plumbing rough-in). | 6 – 12 Weeks | Level of customization (custom vs. stock cabinets), structural changes (removing walls), and lead times for countertops/appliances. |
| Basement | Finishing an unfinished basement (e.g., framing, utilities, drywall, flooring, adding a bathroom/wet bar). | 10 – 16 Weeks | Total square footage, number of rooms/bathrooms added, and addressing existing moisture or structural issues. |
| Full First Floor | Major remodel of a significant portion of a floor (e.g., kitchen, dining, living room, and/or structural changes). | 12 – 24+ Weeks | Total square footage, complexity of structural changes (load-bearing walls), and the number of areas being remodeled concurrently. |
In most cases, you will not have to significantly modify your day-to-day routine or make alternative living arrangements during your project. Our crews work a fairly standard first-shift schedule and take great care to stay out of your way (as much as is humanly and practically possible).
That said, kitchen remodels tend to be the most disruptive – after all, most of us have only one! We recommend setting up a temporary kitchen space in an area with access to electrical outlets and (ideally) running water until we can restore some functionality to your kitchen proper (usually by the fourth week).
All personal effects and belongings must be removed from the work zone before the project start date. We take great care to seal off and contain dust and debris in the work area using a combination of zip walls, HEPA filters, and Festool dust extractors.
Every pet and child is different; some may tolerate the presence of crew members and noise just fine, while others may be challenged by it.
During the more intense early phases of your project, we recommend secluding children or pets in a safe, quiet area away from the work zone. If this is not possible, arrangements with a friend, family member, or daycare are advised.
Our team is instructed to keep the driveway clear whenever possible. Our team, as well as our trade partners, is always mindful of your family’s parking and access needs and will work around you to our best ability. We will coordinate deliveries and make every effort to minimize impact. We will confirm entry & exit points and safeguard those areas from any damage, and keep them clean.
We clean up after ourselves at the conclusion of every workday. Zipwalls and floor protection are installed and kept in place during certain phases of the project and changed out depending on the level of protection needed, as well as the condition of the protection.
When the finished floor goes on, we typically apply a 2-layer protection system utilizing specialty tapes, floor protection, and supporting accessories from Trimaco and Zipwall, depending on the flooring type. Once it’s time to enjoy your completed remodel, we perform a thorough cleaning to ensure the space is ready to use.
We recommend keeping pets in a safe, quiet area away from the work zone, or arranging for them to stay with a friend or at a pet daycare during more intense phases of the project.
As a courtesy to our clients, we provide a port-a-potty on-site for all our workers and trade partners for the duration of the project.
Project timelines vary: bathroom remodels typically take 3-5 weeks, kitchen remodels 6-8 weeks, and basement remodels 6-7 weeks, depending on the overall scope. These are general timelines and your specific project will be provided an schedule, setting expectations before the project ever starts.
We work hard to quarantine the work area with zip walls and plastic, and use HEPA filters to minimize dust. Whenever possible, we are big believers in specialty tools from Festool that further assist us in our effort to keep the work environment clean.
Noise varies, especially on demolition days, or during the installation of certain products that require tools such as saws, impact drivers, wet saws, vacuums, etc. Our lead carpenters onsite will keep you informed of the days events and can identify days/times that may be noisier than others.
We typically use garage, side, or back doors, whenever possible. However, sometimes the front door is the best pathway. Regardless, we always take extra steps to protect the entry points, which include laying down floor protection leading to the work area.
We have found that our work schedule of 7:30 am to 5:30 pm typically provides time in the morning or evening for us to connect with our clients. We value face-to-face communications throughout the length of a project. Clients who leave earlier in the morning often allow access to their home utilizing keys stored in a lock box or a garage entry code. If for any reason the worksite must be left unattended or we are done working before you are, we will secure appropriately (and give you a courtesy phone call).
We plan extensively to try and avoid change orders. In the event that something is uncovered, we keep clients informed of what has been discovered and will propose the resolution with a fixed price. We will get approval prior to proceeding.
For any renovation project we advise clients to evacuate the space of all personal belongings. In many cases cabinetry is being removed and discarded ,so all personal effects should be removed. Our team is equipped to assist with moving larger items such as furniture and appliances into a safe location on the first day of the renovation.
Our lead carpenter, who also serves as the project manager, is on-site daily to handle all communications and ensure expectations are met.
Changes are managed through a formal, written change order process, with all details itemized and approved before proceeding.
Ordering materials in advance gives us the ability inspect them and store them in our warehouse so they are ready for reinstallation. This is the primary obstacle that many remodeling firms fail to overcome and we believe has led to our success. Schedule slippage is minimal with the amount of oversight and attention each project gets with a dedicated lead carpenter.
We maintain strict quality control by employing skilled professionals, using high-quality materials, and conducting regular inspections throughout the project. Our lead carpenter oversees all work to ensure it meets our standards. We are huge advocates of reading documentation and following manufacturers guidelines and installation methodologies.
Due to the amount of communication that our clients receive daily, punch lists are rarely a thing for our team. We are constantly in the know of any areas of concern and address them as we work through the project.
We encourage open communication. Homeowners can speak directly with the lead carpenter or contact the office to address any concerns. We prioritize resolving issues quickly and professionally.
We clean up daily to minimize disruption and ensure safety. At the end of the project, we perform a thorough cleaning to leave the space ready for use.
Safety is our top priority. We have protocols in place for emergencies and maintain insurance coverage. Any incidents are addressed immediately, and homeowners are kept informed.
We use detailed project schedules, coordinate with trade partners, and plan materials in advance. Our team monitors progress daily to stay on track and adapt if adjustments are needed.
We manage all permits submissions and coordinate inspections, ensuring compliance with local codes. Permit fees are paid in advance by Ayars prior to the start of the project and invoiced for reimbursement.
We provide a written 1-year warranty at the completion of the project but most of our products have limited lifetime or lifetime warranties. If any issues arise, regardless of how many years beyond completion always call us so that we can investigate the issue.
Browse our available services to see if Ayars is the right fit for your project.
