Frequently Asked Questions

A free estimate with Riff Co. in most cases can be done over the phone. You will simply send us a few well-lit photos of the space you’re looking to renovate, and we will go from there. In some special cases we will arrive on-site to complete your estimate. Our 30+ years of experience allows us to give you a ballpark estimate of what the project will cost. The estimate will take into account any demolition and building that needs to be done, as well as the quality of appliances, materials, and details you’re aiming to include in your remodel.

From beginning to end, the median turnaround time on an average sized Kitchen Renovation is between 6 and 8 weeks. An average Bathroom Renovation is usually about 4 weeks, while a Master Bathroom takes closer to 6 weeks. Any custom work requested may take an additional week or two to finish, due to the intricacies of the project. High-end materials can also be expected to take a bit longer to install.

Sometimes, simply due to the complexity of a requested project, additional time is taken to craft the final product. This would also include situations where we run into unforeseeable structural concerns. Rest assured, Riff Co. preorders all the materials for every job, so we have them on-site or waiting in our warehouse by the start date of your Renovation project. This allows us to be as efficient as possible, as it mitigates any wait time due to backorders or shipping delays.

Typically, from the time of our initial Free Estimate meeting, the project wait time is about 10 to 12 weeks. However, it usually takes that amount of time to discuss and write up a contract, develop a Renovation Design, order materials for the Renovation, and receive all those materials undamaged. We are able to quickly replace any materials that arrive damaged or defective due to the amicable, long-term relationships we have with all our vendors.

Our in-house Interior Designer will help with your Remodel as little or as much as you need. They are able to help you in selecting the quality of materials to order and the color palette for your final design, as well as more structural decisions like the actual layout of the room. Riff Co.’s Interior Designer can help you curate the style you’re envisioning, and provide you with 3D renderings so that you can see exactly what the space will look like once it’s completed.

During the actual Renovation, you will be in contact with our Interior Designer via phone, email, or text message—per your mutually decided upon convenience—to discuss any questions or concerns you may have along the way.

Riff Co.’s Remodeling crews consist of 2 to 4 people, depending on the size of the project. There will be one Lead Carpenter who will see the project through from start to finish, and be on-site daily. They will be your main point of contact should any questions or concerns arise throughout the Renovation process.

Your Interior Designer and Project Manager will also be on-site very regularly or daily to discuss any changes or issues that may arise, etc. Riff Co.’s owner and operator, Erik Riffel, oversees *all* projects and will always be available for contact, but will not be on-site daily. Riff Co.’s entire team will all work collectively to provide a stress-free and seamless Remodel.

The answer to this question depends on your own comfortability level. Quite often, Riff Co. works with clients who are out of town for an entire season while we remodel their home or vacation property. Some prefer it this way, as they would rather avoid seeing the expected mess of a Renovation altogether. When this is the case, we offer daily, weekly, or biweekly video meetings, as well as photo and video messages, to document our progress, keep you in the loop, and keep your mind at ease. You are also totally welcome to have a friend or family member check in on the project occasionally, if you are out of the house during the day for work, etc. to increase your comfortability. Rest assured, Riff Co. guarantees that our entire installation crew is fully vetted and insured, including a thorough background check.

All of that being said, some folks still prefer to be present for the entire duration of the Remodel. Riff Co. understands and respects whatever decision is right for you, and we will work with you whatever your preference is.

In some special instances, Riff Co. can provide limited use of a Kitchen or Bathroom *during* a Renovation, but it is *highly* advisable to set up a temporary solution someplace else in the house when possible. For example, using a secondary Bathroom is recommended if available. For circumstances in which there is *only* *one* bathroom in the house, special considerations will be made.

In the case of Kitchen Renovations, Riff Co. recommends setting up a “pseudo-kitchen” in the dining room, basement, or living room. You may wish to include baskets for dry food, an electric hot plate or skillet, even a mini fridge may be worthwhile depending on the specifics of your Remodel. We will work to provide you with an effective solution no matter the circumstances of the project.

It can be a combination of both. In other words, we will help you find the vendor that provides the most cost effective solution for your remodel. Riff Co. will guide you to the vendors that we use, so you can be assured you are receiving the best prices on materials.

As you can imagine, the answer to this question varies greatly. To get the closest estimate, give us a call today at 716-912-0635 to discuss your budget, your space, and your specific needs.

That being said, we can provide some median numbers to give you a ballpark estimate. A typical Riff Co. Kitchen Remodel, when completely gutted and replaced with all new appliances, updated electric and plumbing, cabinets, countertop, tile, custom lighting, etc., totals about $50-70k. Typical Bathroom Remodels from start to finish total around $20-25k, while Master Bathroom Remodels are usually closer to $30-35k.

Any other Renovations will need to be discussed with us in order to provide you with an estimate.

In almost all cases, yes, you will need a building permit, but Riff Co. will take care of it for you. You need a building permit for any structural changes taking place—namely, removing walls. Plumbing and Electrical permits are required when altering those structures as well, and we will coordinate those with our Plumbing and Electrical Contractors. We will also help you in coordinating an Architect for any project that requires removing walls—another legal requirement.