Our Difference

Set-up, Demolition & Permits

RJK Construction, Inc. will set up tarps, pads and plastic to encase all dirt and debris in the specific room we are working on. We remove all existing wall material & floor material in the existing room so it can be replaced with all new materials. RJK will also pull all permits necessary for the project including plumbing, mechanical & floor plans. By doing so, homeowners will not need to be present for inspections.

A standard contractor may not go the extent that we do for set-up, potentially leaving your home susceptible to excess dirt & debris from demolition. In some cases, standard contractors may only remove wall & flooring material in certain areas of the room to be remodeled, leaving old material and attempting to match it up to new material. Not all contractors will pull permits, leaving that responsibility to the homeowner, who in return would be responsible for being on site for inspections.

Design, Planning & Budgeting

RJK Construction, Inc. works with the accredited designers from our sister company, Designs by Skill to design and plan your project remodel. We work very closely with you as the homeowner to ensure that the design is to your specifications, as well as to your liking. Planning and Budgeting are part of that design process to make sure the plan we generate is within your budget. We assist you in making selections that fit within your price range, as well as organize all items chosen into a project binder for the installers & project managers. This ensures that all involved, including you as the homeowners, are all on the same page when your project begins.

Some Contractors act as both the contractor and the designer. Although some contractors are certified designers, it does not mean that they all are. This may mean that the plans your receive may not be up to code or up to the standards of the National Kitchen & Bath Association. A standard contractor may not be able/interested in helping you to make selections for your project, which sometimes leaves homeowners vulnerable to questions & concerns regarding their project. You as the homeowner may be held responsible for all items you have to purchase on your own.

Walls & Floor Restructure

By removing all the existing floor and wall material during the demolitions process, it allows RJK Construction, Inc. to assess the condition of your current room structure.  We restructure all framing and sub-flooring to ensure that when your new materials are installed, they are all Plumb, Level & Square to the best of our ability.  Although the cost of this may be a little higher, it ensures that when your project is complete, it will be completed to code and to the highest standards in the construction industry.  In addition, if cabinetry is involved, we also add extra block support for the weight of the new cabinetry.

It is not uncommon for a standard contractor to just remove portions of the room being remodeled.  Yes, this cuts down on cost, however by not looking at the room as a whole before re-installing new products, it allows for problems to occur in the future.  These potential problems may result in additional costs after the project is completed if they need to be replaced and/or repaired.

Drywall Materials

RJK Construction, Inc. uses only Green board for all drywall applications & Cement board for all tile applications in bathrooms and kitchens.  Green board is more expensive than regular drywall, however it is water, mold and mildew resistant.  Visit Green Board’s website.

Standard contractors may use drywall for wall applications and cement board for tile applications.  In kitchen & bathroom applications where water and moisture is generally a concern, you want to make sure that the materials being used are going to protect the room from those concerns.  See Wikipedia info on drywall.

Patch, Prime & Paint

RJK Construction, Inc. only uses Benjamin Moore Aura Bath & Spa Paint to again protect the room from moisture & mildew.  At a little higher costs, it protects your newly remodeled room from those factors.  Visit Benjamin Moore’s website.

A standard contractor may use any kind of paint that may not necessarily meet the needs of a wet location application.  They may use a paint that they receive in discount depending on how much and how often they buy it.

Plumbing

RJK Construction, Inc. replaces all plumbing components (i.e. water lines, drains & vents) when remodeling a project.  This eliminates the risk of leaks and other problems by removing old components that may get damaged during the demolition phase of your project.

A standard contractor may not include to replace your existing plumbing components.  This leaves your new fixtures susceptible to leaks & other problems by not being hooked up to new plumbing parts.

Electrical

RJK Construction, Inc. updates all electrical to 2009 IRC Code.  This includes placing all GFCI outlets and lighting on their own dedicated circuit branches.  We also install Arc Fault Breakers and Smoke Detectors as needed.  During the demolition phase, we also assess the electrical wires that are currently being used to make sure they too are up to code.

A standard contractor may choose to leave existing switches and outlets in place to save on cost.  If the room is not completely demolished during the initial construction phase, faulty wires & lines may go un-noticed, which can result in fires.

Tile Applications

RJK Construction, Inc. uses Flex Bond Mortar which allows the tile in high traffic areas to shift and settle with your home without cracking or breaking.  We also use an XT Grout which prevents mold, mildew and staining.  Our custom shower pans are designed and installed above and beyond code.  We lay a bed of cement first, then apply a rubber liner, lay another layer of cement and then add a liquid membrane water sealant before the shower floor tile is installed.

Standard contractors may choose to use a regular thinset when installing your tile.  This does not add the additional support needed for the adjustments your home will make, but does cost less.  There are a variety of grouts that can be used, however not all grouts will protect from water moisture, mildew or staining.  There are a number of ways to install shower pans, however if not installed properly, there may be issues with leaking which might end up in a costly repair and/or replacement after the project is completed.