JL Home Builders

Whole Home Remodeling

Freshly Painted Room With New Hardwood Floors by JL Home Builders, Pittsburgh

What Should Be Included in a Home Remodeling Budget?

What should be included in a home remodeling budget? A complete budget covers labor, materials, design and permit fees, a contingency fund of 10 to 20 percent, and the everyday costs of living through construction. If a line item isn’t written down before demolition starts, it usually shows up later as a surprise. That last […]

Finished Hallway With New Lvp Flooring by JL Home Builders, Pittsburgh

How to Live in Your Home During a Major Renovation

Yes, you can live in your home during a major renovation, if you plan for it. Seal off the work zone, set up a temporary kitchen, protect your air quality, and lock in a daily schedule with your contractor before demolition starts. Most families do fine with structure. Without it, the project grinds them down. […]

Finished Bay Window On Siding Exterior by JL Home Builders, Pittsburgh

Design-Build vs. General Contractor: What’s the Difference?

The difference comes down to contracts and accountability. A design-build firm handles design and construction under one agreement with one team. A general contractor builds from plans someone else created, usually an architect you hired separately. One model bundles responsibility. The other splits it between two companies. That sounds simple enough. In practice, this choice […]

Finished Full Bathroom Remodel Tiled Shower by JL Home Builders, Pittsburgh

Aging-in-Place Remodeling Ideas for Pittsburgh Homes

The strongest aging-in-place remodeling ideas for Pittsburgh homes center on three moves: converting to a curbless shower, creating a fully livable first floor, and making the entry safe to use in every season. Those three fixes solve the problems our steep lots and stair-heavy houses create. Everything else builds from that foundation. We’ve walked through […]

New Poured Concrete Front Steps by JL Home Builders, Pittsburgh

Do You Need a Permit for a Home Remodel in Pittsburgh?

Most Pittsburgh home remodels do require a permit. If your project touches structure, layout, wiring, mechanical systems, or the exterior of the house, the Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections expects an approved application before anyone swings a hammer. Purely cosmetic work, paint, flooring, new cabinet boxes, usually does not. That’s the short version. The […]