Frequently Asked Questions

Legacy Custom Building builds custom homes in Windham and surrounding communities, managing site preparation, foundation, framing, systems, exterior, and interior finish as a unified project. One contractor holds responsibility for every phase from site layout through final inspections and occupancy.

New construction cost depends on site conditions, foundation type, square footage, material selections, and finish level. Permit timelines and trade sequencing in the greater Portland region add scheduling variables that affect total project cost. Locking in scope and materials before construction begins is the most reliable way to hold a budget.

Verify whether the builder self-performs structural framing and finish carpentry or subcontracts them separately. A contractor who manages both phases—foundation through interior finish—controls sequencing and holds one warranty across the envelope. Ask specifically who installs the framing and who handles exterior weatherproofing details.

Frame-to-finish contractors cover both scopes under one project—framing changes, utility rerouting, tile, cabinetry, countertops, and fixtures. This matters because kitchen and bathroom work in older homes often reveals undersized electrical or plumbing infrastructure that requires replanning mid-project without a coordinated GC holding the schedule.

Whole-home renovation cost is driven by structural condition, scope of systems updates, finish selections, and how much of the original framing can remain. Period homes—colonials, saltboxes, post-and-beam—frequently require bearing wall evaluation and foundation assessment before any cost estimate is reliable. Establishing those conditions first prevents mid-project budget surprises.

Remodeling begins with a structural assessment—checking framing, evaluating foundation condition, and identifying bearing walls before any scope is finalized. Skipping this step means demolition can expose problems that halt work until the foundation is addressed. A builder who performs this review before pricing protects both the schedule and the budget.

Roofing and exterior envelope work—sheathing, underlayment, flashing, roofing material, gutters—can be managed as part of a whole-home renovation rather than coordinated with a separate roofing contractor. Holding both scopes under one GC ensures flashing details at chimneys, valleys, and roof-to-wall transitions are correct before interior work begins.

Roof cost within a renovation depends on roof geometry, penetration count, material selection, and how much existing underlayment or sheathing requires replacement. Many older homes in southern Maine have inadequate original flashing details that add scope when corrected properly. Getting an itemized breakdown of roofing versus envelope prep prevents cost confusion later.

The service area covers Buxton, Biddeford, Cape Elizabeth, Cumberland, Falmouth, Gorham, Gray, Kennebunk, Portland, Raymond, Saco, Sebago Lake, Standish, Westbrook, and Windham. That range spans coastal builds near Cape Elizabeth, lake properties around Sebago, and urban infill work in Portland—each with distinct structural and permitting conditions.

When structural framing and interior finish are handled by separate trades, sequencing gaps create risk—walls framed without accounting for tile layout or cabinet runs require expensive corrections later. Performing both in-house means tile and stone selections are confirmed before framing begins, so utilities and wall positions are correct from the start.

Design review, permit applications, material selection, and trade sequencing all precede the first day on site. Permit review timelines in Maine vary by municipality and project type—renovation permits in established neighborhoods can move faster than new construction with septic or site plan requirements. Build permit lead time into scheduling expectations, not the contractor's work pace.

Confirm whether the estimate covers permitting fees, disposal, and inspection costs or lists them separately. Ask which line items are fixed and which are allowances subject to change after demo. For older homes, verify that structural assessment is included before pricing is finalized—framing and foundation conditions discovered mid-project are the most common source of cost overruns.