Frequently Asked Questions From Star Valley, Wyoming Homeowners: What to Know Before You Build or Remodel

unshakeablecustomh
Apr 24
4 min read

The most daunting part of a new project is figuring out where to start. Frequently, we get this simple question from Star Valley, Wyoming homeowners - "where do we start?"

Reading blueprints for building a home in Star Valley Ranch, Wyoming — It takes collaboration and vision to bring a project into reality.

Picture this: You've bought a home with an unfinished basement and you know it has a lot of potential. The real estate agent sold you on what you could do with an extra 1000 square feet of living space. Maybe you have some inspiration photos or have a vague vision of what it will look like when its done, but at the moment you're standing in a huge room with four concrete walls and a slab under your feet. What's next??

You’re not alone—and if you're like many Star Valley homeowners (well, any homeowner really), you’ve got questions. If you've never built a home or gone through the process of remodeling, getting started can be quite daunting.

Since I'm a central part of any building project, I tend to take for granted how confusing it can be navigating a world with literally thousands of options. Below we've compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions we get from homeowners in Star Valley, Wyoming to help you better understand, "what's next".

1. "When is the best time to start a construction project in Star Valley?"

Our relatively short building season means planning ahead is key. Summer (May–October) is ideal for most outdoor work, while winter is perfect for design, planning, permits and interior jobs. I typically start building schedules in late winter and early spring—so don’t wait to reach out.

2. "How much does it cost to build or remodel a home?"

Every project is unique so its difficult to give hard and fast rules, but I typically price based on several factors:

Square footage
Materials selected, such as finishes
Complexity of the build
Site conditions

I offer cost-plus contracts with a transparent breakdown of labor, materials, and management fees, so you can track your investment every step of the way.

Read More: "What is a cost-plus pricing structure?"

3. "How long will my project take?"

Timelines vary depending on the scope:

Decks or small remodels: 2–6 weeks
Additions or major renovations: 2–6 months
Custom homes: 10–14 months on average

Again, there's a lot of factors that can affect the timeline of your project. Material delays and lead times, seasonal weather, subcontractor schedules, special order products and a variety of other components can modify a projects' timeline. By spending time nailing down design during pre-construction, we eliminate a lot of the down-time that slows down the finishing stages of a project.

Weather, permitting, and material delays can impact timing—but I keep clients updated throughout the project to avoid surprises.

4. "What’s included in your estimate or proposal?"

A standard estimate for a smaller scale project includes:

A detailed Scope of Work
A labor cost with estimated hours and labor rate
A breakdown of materials to be used, with warranty, color options and care instructions included

My pre-construction proposals for custom homes and larger projects include:

A detailed scope of work
Line-item labor and material breakdowns
My project management fee (if applicable)
A preliminary schedule

I aim for clarity and accuracy up front—no low-ball numbers that come back to bite later, and NO frivolous use of change orders to make up for lack of research during the design phase.

5. "Do I need to hire an architect or designer before contacting you?"

Not necessarily! I always collaborate directly with homeowners, design professionals, and engineers to guide you from concept through completion. If you already have plans, we’ll work with them. If not, we can help you assemble the right team to get started that can accommodate any size budget.

6. "Can you help with permits?"

Absolutely. I'm familiar with local permitting in Star Valley Ranch, Lincoln County and the surrounding areas. I’ll help guide you through that process and make sure your project is built to meet or exceed code requirements.

7. "What kind of work do you self-perform vs. sub out?"

I self-perform framing, finish carpentry, deck construction, siding, window and door installation and project management. For specialty trades like electrical, plumbing, HVAC, drywall and roofing, I work with trusted local subcontractors who share my values and standards.

8. "How do you handle changes during construction?"

Changes happen! I use a clear Change Order process to document scope changes, added costs, or revised timelines. No verbal agreements, no confusion—everything is signed off on before work continues.

9. "Can I live in my home during a remodel?"

Sometimes, yes—especially for smaller projects or single-room renovations. But for full-home remodels or jobs involving major mechanical changes, we’ll talk through logistics and safety to determine the best approach.

10. "What’s the first step to getting started?"

Easy—reach out to me directly! We’ll schedule an initial consultation to discuss your goals, vision, and timeline to see if we're a good fit. From there, we can work together to develop a proposal that will guide you through the next steps.

Contact Us Today to start planning your project!

Final Thoughts

Building or remodeling a home in Star Valley doesn’t have to be overwhelming. The more you know, the smoother the process goes. Many times, I have several discovery and consultation calls with potential clients in order to answer questions and make sure we're the right fit. If you’ve got questions we didn’t answer here, don’t hesitate to reach out—my goal is to help you build with confidence.