FAQ
How far out are you booked?
There is not really a set time that we are booked out. Timing is really predicated on the project goals you have and how long those take to develop in the design phase of the project.
Typically speaking, design work can start within a couple of weeks of your initial call with our experts and during that call one of our project specialists will be able to outline a projected timeline for the work based on your project goals.
One cool thing to note is that to build a really great project that is high quality and in a timely fashion, spending a lot of time in the design phase is beneficial. So do plan to spend a lot more time designing that you would expect.
Even when people “know what they want” there is an extraordinary amount of collaborating and time-consuming tasks that are essential to create the collateral that the building team will need to be successful.
Do you offer handyman work or do you just do big projects?
Yes, we can do handyman work – it is billed at $98/hour for most trades. Plumbing is $165/hr, electrical is $135/hr. All are plus materials. We can schedule the work based on those rates if you are interested. Contact us to get started.
We would need you to email us a detailed list of the items that need to be done and then we will send you a rough idea of cost and time as well as when we could schedule it. Our timeline is usually within 1-2 weeks.
And just a fun note, we actually started as a handyman company! While that is not our current focus as a design and build company, we love getting to know people and their houses and love to add value to every situation wherever we can.
I think my project might be too small for your company.
Nothing is too small!
Little known fact: Our founder actually started this company as a handyman company! Chad of All Trades, i.e. COAT. He did all of the work himself for many years and grew the company over a 20-year period into the best (not bragging) Design Remodel company in San Diego. And if you knew Chad, he would be bummed if we didn’t try to help everyone and find a solution for everyone, even if you decide the project isn’t right for us – he wants to still find a way to add value to your situation and make sure you are making good decisions based on your goals and your budget. And who knows, you may be surprised and find out that we are actually a great fit for your project!
How long have you been in business?
COAT has been in business for 20 years.
Can someone just come to my house today?
We definitely want to see your home and we definitely want to get to know you better so that we can ensure we design great solutions for you! But in order to add maximum value to an in-home visit, we like to start with a quick call to help outline what the baseline will be for that visit. We truly have an incredible process that makes the otherwise frustrating process of design and building super easy on our homeowners. You will have a great experience!
The phone call with our project specialist will be one of the most value-filled and informative calls you will have during this initial research phase you are working through right now.
I just want to know what it costs for "xyz"
Sure! That makes sense. There are a lot of variables that go into a remodel project. Sometimes the ones that seem the simplest can actually have the most snow balling effects. For example: “just adding a pocket door” is something we hear a lot – but to do that, it requires demolition, framing, relocation of electrical wiring, sometimes relocation of plumbing or mechanical lines, installation of the door, painting, floor repairs, debris hauling and clean up.
And every project isn’t the same, so because of that, you would get a lot out of talking to one of our project specialists for 20 minutes or so. They can add a ton of value to what you are thinking about doing and while they might not be able to tell you exactly how much these things will cost in your home, they will be able to tell you historically how much these things have cost for other people who have done projects like this. They have the experience to help you navigate to the best outcomes relative to any budget or timeline you may have. Most importantly, they have seen and done so many projects that they can help you avoid mistakes that they have seen other homeowners make.
Weren't you Chad of All Trades?
Yes! We are still Chad of All Trades, doing business as COAT Design Remodel. Our founder actually started this company as a handyman company, Chad of All Trades – i.e. COAT. He did all of the work himself for many years and grew the company over a 20-year period into the best (not bragging) Design Remodel company in San Diego.
We were so design focused for so many years, working with various designers and providing high quality work for others, that we naturally started doing design on our own.
It didn’t take too long to figure out that doing the design work and the construction work under one roof was way more efficient for our homeowners and their timelines, so here we are.
Do you guys do all of your own work?
No. We exclusively work with sub-contractors that are the best in the field for their respective trades.
We require that all subcontractors hold general liability and worker’s comp insurances and we hold certs as additionally insured for all of the subs we work with as well.
We have been working with most of our subs for a very long time (well over 15 years), and they are all used to working within our process and our quality expectations.