If you’re currently researching a home improvement project for your Virginia or Maryland home, you’ve probably started to notice two things. One, demand is sky high, meaning contractors are booked out for months, and two, bids and quotes are a bit higher than you might expect. With all the changes that have happened in the design and build industry, it has many homeowners wondering: What’s going to happen to contractor pricing next?

Whenever an article talks about price, the answer must always be some variant of “it depends.” Decks, like anything else, are extremely variable, and a lot of factors can affect the final price. That being said, if you’re thinking about adding a deck to your Maryland or Virginia home, here are some ballpark figures to guide you, as well as some insight about how the decking market has changed in 2021.

When you begin a home improvement project—whether you’re using Design Builders or any number of other Virginia- or Maryland-based contractors—chances are you’re going to be asked for a “site plan” or a “plot plan.” What exactly is this document, and why is it essential to moving forward with your home improvement plans?

If you’re looking to build an outdoor living space in Washington, DC; Virginia; or Maryland in 2021—think deck, patio, screen porch, or outdoor kitchen—here’s what you need to know about changes to the material-buying process.

Whether you’re looking at a remodel or a new build, permitting is almost always a big challenge for a home improvement project. Permitting was an issue before COVID-19, and it can be an even bigger hurdle in our current landscape.