Remodeling in Columbia, MD

Why Columbia projects need one more step

Most Columbia remodeling projects come down to two things: the age of the house and the covenants on the lot. A large share of Columbia homes were built between 1967 and 1990, so original bathrooms, kitchens, decks and railings are reaching the end of their life at the same time. Columbia Association covenants are recorded with each deed and set standards for exterior changes, so a project that would be simple elsewhere needs one more step here.

That step varies by village. Each of Columbia’s ten villages publishes its own guidelines and has its own covenant advisor, so the rules for a deck in Wilde Lake may not match the rules in River Hill. In a townhouse community, the townhouse association board can add its own rules on top of the village covenants, and the most restrictive rule is the one that applies.

We plan for that step from the first visit. For interior work like a bathroom remodel or kitchen remodel, the county permit process is what matters. For anything outside, such as decks, railings, fences, siding or an addition, we also read your village’s guidelines before we price materials, so the design we draw is one the Architectural Committee can approve.

What do Columbia homes usually need?

Columbia’s usual projects follow from the age of its housing:

• Original bathrooms in townhouses and colonials: tub-and-tile surrounds that have failed, dated vanities, and floors that have taken on water. We take these down to the studs and rebuild with proper waterproofing behind the new tile.
• Kitchens with original cabinets and laminate counters, often in compact townhouse layouts where every inch of cabinet run counts.
• Decks and railings that have weathered 30-plus years. Some need new boards only, which Howard County treats as ordinary repair; others need new framing, footings and railings, which brings in the county permit and usually the village application.
• Basements, flooring and drywall as part of bigger updates before a sale or after a purchase.

How a Columbia project runs with us

1. Estimate and scope. We visit, measure and take note of anything the village or county will care about, like deck footprint, height, railing style and materials.
2. Approvals. For exterior work, you file the village application and we supply the dimensions, materials and drawings it asks for. When the job needs a county building permit, it is applied for once the design is set, and plumbing and electrical work gets its own trade permits.
3. Build. We keep the site clean every day, which matters in townhouse rows where neighbors share walls, walkways and parking.
4. Walkthrough. We review every detail with you before we call the job finished.