Q. How does the process work?
A. After the initial phone conversation, Ruszkowski Construction will meet with you at the jobsite/house where a review of the desired work will take place. At this time, preliminary measurements will be taken. A second meeting will include review of the proposal, review of any plans or drawings, and discussion of timing. The next step would be contract signing, collection of deposit, and ordering of materials. If a project requires design or architecture work, that would be the first phase of the construction process. During the construction, there are regular progress meetings/conversations until the job is completed. After the job is finished, a final walk through takes place. Ruszkowski Construction warranties all work for one full year.

Q. How long will the construction process take?
A. A bathroom or kitchen usually takes 4-6 weeks, a major basement remodel 6-8 weeks and depending on the size and scope an addition can take from 6-12 weeks.

Q. How much does it cost?
A. The cost of remodeling projects can vary greatly. There are many factors involved including choices of material and product, condition and age of the existing space, complexity of the project - all of which make each project unique. A visit to the job site is the best way to estimate pricing. The link to the right to the cost vs. value report provides good average costs for a variety of common projects.

Q. Do I need and architect or a designer?
A. It depends. On larger projects (new construction, additions) an architect is necessary for plans required by the city. Architects also work with layout, function and the structural aspects of construction. A designer works with a homeowner to assist in material selection, space planning, color schemes and lighting design to fit your tastes and desires. Ruszkowski Construction has long standing relationships with qualified architects and designers ready to help.

Q. What is green remodeling?
A. Remodeling with an emphasis on resource conservation, indoor air quality and energy efficiency. Green products save energy, are made from sustainable or recycled materials, are produced without toxic ingredients and do not have harmful off gassing.

Q. What are some green options for flooring?
A. Cork flooring is environmentally friendly floor alternative. The cork tree is not destroyed and then replanted but rather the bark is harvested from the tree every 9 years, leaving the forest undamaged. It’s not unusual to have a 200-year-old tree still producing cork bark. Even better than a renewable resource, Cork is a Harvested Resource. Only the bark is harvested from the tree, causing no damage to the tree which re-grows new bark.

Bamboo flooring is another environmentally friendly flooring option. Botanically, bamboo is not a wood at all, but rather a grass. Bamboo is attractive as a building material because it is very hard, strong, and dimensionally stable. Environmentally, it’s hard to argue with a wood-substitute that matures in three years, regenerates without need for replanting, and requires minimal fertilization or pesticides. In fact, these larger species of bamboo have been used in construction for thousands of years, and even in modern Asian cities it’s not uncommon to see a large concrete building being constructed from bamboo scaffolding.

Q. What is the most efficient insulation?
A. Spray foam insulation used in new construction (including additions) costs more than traditional insulation but additional expense is usually recouped in 3-4 years. Benefits include:
• R-value in walls of R-21, which is the equivalent to R-42 using fiberglass
• 40% savings in heating/cooling energy use per year
• Requires smaller heating/cooling systems thus saving on building costs
• Eliminates air infiltration which eliminates drafts, mold growth, etc.