Questions We Wish Every Homeowner Asked Before Working With Us 

Building a custom home or renovating the one you already love is a major investment. And before you choose a builder, you deserve to understand more than what the finished project might look like. You should know how decisions are made, how costs are developed, who you'll be working with, and what happens when plans need to change.

At Robinson Renovation & Custom Homes, we've been helping Gainesville-area homeowners build and improve their homes since 1958. Over three generations, we've learned that the most successful projects begin with open conversations, realistic expectations, and thoughtful planning.

These are the questions we wish every homeowner would ask before choosing a remodeling contractor or custom home builder in Gainesville, High Springs, Newberry, Jonesville, or elsewhere in Alachua County. They're worth asking any company you're considering, including ours.

Jump to a Question Topic:

• Working With Robinson Renovation & Custom Homes
• Remodeling & Custom Home Costs
• Planning, Design & Project Timelines
• Construction, Communication & Expectations
• Permits & Building in the Gainesville Area

Remodeling & Custom Home Costs

Why is it important to share my budget before the design is finalized?

Your budget is one of the most useful planning tools we have. Without understanding your investment goals, a design team can develop plans that look beautiful but don't align with what you're prepared to spend. That can lead to difficult compromises, unnecessary redesign work, or frustration later.

Being transparent about your budget doesn't mean you're committing to spend every dollar of it. It allows us to explain what's realistic, identify important tradeoffs, and help you prioritize the features that matter most.

Our goal is to align the design with your expectations before you make a major construction commitment.

Why might one contractor's estimate be much lower than another's?

Two estimates can look similar on the surface while including very different scopes of work.

One contractor may account for detailed design, material selections, project management, and known structural requirements. Another may be working from assumptions, allowances, or a less-developed scope.

Before comparing prices, ask what's included, what's excluded, which selections are still undecided, and how potential changes will be handled.

Our design-build approach brings comprehensive planning, thoughtful design, construction expertise, and professional project management together under one roof. From developing detailed plans and coordinating material selections to managing construction and communication, every step is designed to keep your project organized, your decisions informed, and your investment aligned with your goals.

Planning, Design & Project Timelines

How early should I contact a builder before starting my renovation or custom home?

The earlier you involve your builder, the more opportunities there are to plan your project with your goals, timeline, and budget in mind.

Major renovations and custom homes require careful coordination of design development, material selections, budgeting, engineering, permitting, and construction scheduling. Bringing your builder into the conversation early helps align these moving parts from the start and allows you to make informed decisions as plans take shape.

You don't need to have every detail finalized before reaching out. Our design-build team is here to help you explore your options, establish priorities, and develop a thoughtful plan for moving forward.

How long does a major renovation or custom home project take?

Every type of project has their own unique timeline. A kitchen remodel, a whole-home renovation, a major addition, and a new custom home all involve different levels of planning and construction. Design complexity, permitting requirements, material availability, and site or existing-home conditions can also affect the schedule.

It's important to distinguish the time spent in construction from the full project timeline, which begins with consultation and design.

At Robinson, we develop the project scope and details before establishing the construction schedule. This upfront planning helps us identify important requirements and set more realistic expectations about when work can begin and how the project will progress.

Should I remodel my existing home or build a custom home?

Love your neighborhood but wish your home worked a little differently? Or are you ready for a fresh start with a home designed around your lifestyle? Both renovating and building new offer exciting possibilities, but the right choice depends on your goals, budget, and long-term plans.

Remodeling may be the better fit if you love your Gainesville neighborhood and want to stay put. A thoughtful renovation or addition can transform an outdated layout, create more functional living space, and help you fall in love with your home all over again.

Building a custom home may make more sense if you're looking for a completely different layout, specific architectural features, or a home designed to accommodate your needs for years to come.

Not sure which direction to take? Our design-build team can help you explore what's possible with your current property, weigh the investment involved, and determine which path makes the most sense for your vision.

Construction, Communication & Expectations

Who will manage my project, and how will I stay informed?

A well-managed construction project requires clear responsibilities and consistent communication. At Robinson, our project managers and superintendents coordinate construction activities and help keep homeowners informed as work progresses.

Before construction begins, we hold a pre-construction meeting to prepare for the work ahead. Your project team helps manage the details of construction while providing a point of contact when questions arise.

We believe homeowners should understand who they're working with, what decisions are coming up, and whom to contact when something needs attention.

What happens if unexpected problems or changes come up during construction?

Even detailed planning can't reveal every condition that may be hidden within an existing home. Structural damage, outdated systems, or other concealed issues may only become apparent once work begins.

Our approach begins with developing a clear scope and addressing as many decisions as possible during design. If an unexpected condition or requested change affects the project, the next step is to evaluate the issue, explain the available options, and determine its implications for cost and schedule before proceeding with the affected work.

Clear communication and informed decisions are especially important when plans need to change.

Can I stay in my home during a major renovation?

It depends on the scope and location of the work. A contained bathroom renovation is very different from a whole-home remodel that affects the kitchen, bathrooms, electrical systems, or major living areas.

Before construction, consider which spaces will remain usable, whether temporary kitchen or bathroom arrangements are practical, and how noise, dust, access, and utility interruptions may affect your household. For more extensive renovations, temporary accommodations may be the more comfortable option.

Discussing these practical details during planning allows you to prepare for construction and make arrangements that fit your household's needs.

Permits & Building in the Gainesville Area

Will my renovation or custom home require permits in Gainesville or Alachua County?

Most substantial residential renovations, additions, and custom home projects require permits and inspections.

Structural changes, major electrical or plumbing work, new square footage, and new home construction typically involve permit requirements. The specific approvals depend on the scope of work and where the property is located.

Properties within Gainesville city limits may have different approval procedures from homes in unincorporated Alachua County or nearby municipalities.

At Robinson, permitting is part of our pre-construction and production process. We plan for these requirements before construction begins so the project can move forward with the necessary approvals.

What should I know about my property before planning a custom home, addition, or ADU?

Before investing heavily in any major design, it's important to understand what your property can accommodate.

Lot dimensions, setbacks, zoning, access, utility connections, drainage, and site conditions can all influence what may be built. Some properties may also have additional requirements related to flood zones, easements, neighborhood restrictions, or other site-specific conditions.

These factors are especially important when planning a custom home, expanding an existing residence, or adding an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) for family members or guests.

Our design-build approach allows the team to evaluate relevant site conditions and construction requirements during planning rather than discovering major limitations after the design has progressed.

Let's Talk About Your Project

Every renovation and custom home comes with its own questions, priorities, and possibilities. And while we've covered many of the questions homeowners should ask, there's no substitute for a conversation about your specific project.

Whether you're ready to get started or still exploring your options, our team is here talk through your ideas, answer your questions, and help you determine the next steps.