Certified Women GCs (CWGC)

Don’t settle for the cheapest. You will pay in the long run. Ensure that your contractors will work straight through your project vs staying in your home for a year (happens way too often), because they are working multiple projects to make up for the ‘cheap’ labor they’ve quoted you.

Through our project management expertise aka type A personalities, we love to manage our projects while our clients simply do their day to day. If we are allowed - because we love our type A clients too - we will create design concepts and manage materials as well. We start with a consultation to brainstorm on color schemes, materials, and even budget.

I have 25 years on the job experience. I have been a licensed real estate broker, have personally owned and parceled over 100 properties managing my own work since 18 years old, and served as a project manager in various other entrepreneurial enterprises. Above all - I’m a natural born fighter. So advocating is my thing. I believe that people should be comfortable in their homes and believe it or not this process can be as well. If managed correctly

I have personally experienced similar scenarios that I named above. Even as an experienced real estate broker, flipper and construction manager for over 25 years. I felt compelled to advocate for others going through renovations - that simply want good work, no nonsense and results!

A small bathroom in Weehawken. Our Thumbtack client was in desperate need of a bathroom remodel. Her bathroom was her “sanctuary” but after her husband died of cancer (F* Cancer) the space just didn’t feel right. She received inflated quotes from contractors that felt the need to upcharge her because she lived on the 5th floor of a walk-up. Ridiculous. We did not charge for walking up the stairs of course! We worked closely with her on material selection/ managed the material process from purchase to delivery and in just one week she had a brand new and modern sanctuary. She loves to soak in her tub but also take showers with her new shower fixture “from The Jetsons” as she says. It was our pleasure to work with her.

- Know your budget and don't be scared to share with your GC. Just because you share your budget with a contractor, it doesn't mean that even if they quote close to your budget/ budget gauge, that you have to accept that! You should be informed of the prices that your intended service/ services will cost as well as the subsequent material costs. Most reputable contractors move to a very publicly accessible (Google search) industry standard. What does this mean? Let's play it out... You search for 'How much does it cost for a bathroom remodel in Bloomfield, NJ.' You see an 'average bathroom remodel in Bloomfield can range between $12,500-$25,000.' So you have a scale. Then you read on... "rough in plumbing might cost you "insert price range here" depending on whether you're moving your plumbing/ bathroom configuration, adding additional shower fixtures, want to go from a vanity to a pedestal sink and would need to have a cleaner plumbing set up etc. If you're going from a tub to a shower, you'll pay for the tiling of the base and possibly the walls. Adding to the cost of the tiles, underlayment materials and even the labor of added days of plumbing, laying tiles, grouting and sealing. That might cost an extra "insert price here." What's your electrical plan? Need to add recessed lights or some GFI outlets for bathroom safety? That's a little more. "Insert price here." Your finishing materials top this range off. Those materials are your vanities/ sinks, toilet, shower fixtures, lights, mirror, HVAC fixtures, trims or whatever else your heart desires. "Those prices can range from "insert price here to insert price here." So there you have it. You are informed and ready to chat with your contractor. Your article said that your new bathroom should cost you $45K. You have $12K... Hmm. That's okay!! If your contractor is amenable and you are willing to push through, you might indeed be able to meet your budget. Now let's play that chat out... Contractor: We are the best and forget the rest! Don't look any further! I don't even need to see your bathroom to tell you that we need $45K. You: Okay thank you and enjoy your night. Never work with a contractor that doesn't at least have a virtual site visit to see your project. Okay let's try again. Contractor: We are the best and forget the rest! Don't look any further! We have integrity and will get the job done. We'd love to schedule a virtual or in-person visit to see your bathroom. While I have you, can you share your budget with me? You: Listen friend, I have $12K to get the bathroom of my dreams. I wish I could give you all of the money you're worth but this is what I'm working with. Contractor: Okay cool. - Next day after site visit... - Contractor: Friend I have run some numbers and it seems that we can't do what you want for any less than $20K. However we can work with you to help narrow your budget to $12K. Here is what we suggest

Your budget. No, seriously. This is key. Many think that when a contractor inquires about budget they are price gauging. Don’t worry about that. You should always google prices to have a handle on what your project should cost anyway. When you establish a budget and share with a trusted general contractor we can actually be of service to you. We can help you substitute the materials, services and timeline that fit your budget. I love working to give my clients what they want. If you want crown molding you should have it. Maybe we can’t afford a super solid birch (wood is high right now), maybe we do a wood composite or even plastic molding that is much cheaper and more durable for your cleaning needs. There is more than one way to ‘skin a cat.’ Does anyone know of a better phrase? Let’s honor our fur babies.