Home Remodeling FAQs

After 20 years and more than 1,000 residential projects throughout Montgomery and Chester County, we have heard just about every question a homeowner can ask before starting a renovation. These are the ones that come up most often, answered honestly and based on real projects we have completed right here in this area. If your question is not here, call us directly at 610-489-4132 or send us a message and Steve is happy to talk through your project before you commit to anything.

About Merman Construction

What services does Merman Construction offer?

We are a residential remodeling and construction company serving Montgomery and Chester County homeowners. Our core services are home additions, basement finishing, stucco remediation, siding installation, deck installation, window and door replacement, and kitchen and bathroom remodeling. Projects range from approximately $5,000 for smaller exterior work up to $500,000 for large additions and whole home renovations. View our full services page to see everything we build.

Where do you work?

Our primary service area covers Montgomery County and Chester County including Collegeville, Phoenixville, Royersford, Limerick, Blue Bell, Plymouth Meeting, Lansdale, Harleysville, Schwenksville, Skippack, Worcester, and the surrounding communities. If you are not sure whether we serve your area, call us at 610-489-4132 and we will let you know right away.

Is Steve Merman actually on site, or does he send a crew?

Steve is personally on site supervising every project. He is not a salesperson who disappears after the contract is signed. Steve started his career as a professional framer building residential developments throughout this region, and that hands-on background is what he brings to every job. Jana Merman manages permitting, documentation, and scheduling so the administrative side moves as smoothly as the construction side. You have one family, one point of contact, and one standard of accountability from start to finish. Read more about Steve and the Merman team.

Are you licensed and insured?

Yes. PA Home Improvement Contractor License number PA066259. We carry comprehensive general liability and workers compensation insurance covering all work throughout Montgomery and Chester County. You can verify our registration through the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s contractor search tool and our BuildZoom profile. We recommend every homeowner verify licensing and insurance before hiring any contractor.

Do you provide a warranty on your work?

Yes. Our workmanship warranty covers the quality of our installation and construction. Beyond that, the brand name materials we use carry their own manufacturer warranties. James Hardie® fiber cement siding, Trex® and AZEK® composite decking, ViWinco® windows, and Reeb® doors all include manufacturer warranties that are valid when installed by a professional contractor. All warranty terms are written into your construction agreement before work begins.

Planning, Permits, and Design

Do I need an architect before calling you?

Not before reaching out to us, but yes before permits can be filed for most addition projects. Structural additions require stamped architectural drawings for permit submission in virtually every township in our service area. If you already have an architect we work directly from their plans. If you are still in the early stages we can refer you to trusted local architects we have worked with on projects throughout Montgomery and Chester County. We do not provide in-house architectural or engineering services, but we are comfortable working with simpler scopes and can help you think through what you need before you engage a designer. Read more about our remodeling process.

How do permits work and who handles them?

We handle the entire permit process from start to finish. That includes determining which permits are required for your scope, preparing and submitting applications to your township or borough building office, coordinating all required inspections throughout the project, and managing any follow-up the building office requires. You do not need to call your township, attend any meetings, or track down inspection results. For a detailed look at how permitting works across our service area, read Permits, Setbacks, and Variances: What You Need to Know.

What are setbacks and how do they affect my project?

Setbacks are minimum distances your structure must maintain from property lines, and they vary by township. If your proposed addition would place a wall or roof too close to a lot line, the township will not approve the permit as submitted. In some cases a variance can be requested through the township zoning board. We identify setback issues during the planning phase so they are addressed before plans are drawn, not after the contract is signed.

Will my project trigger stormwater management requirements?

Possibly. In Montgomery County, additions that increase the impervious surface area of your lot beyond certain thresholds can trigger stormwater management requirements, particularly in townships near watersheds. We flag these issues during the estimate visit before anything is committed. Steve wrote a detailed breakdown specifically for homeowners in this region: Planning a Home Addition: Stormwater Management.

Costs and Contracts

Will I receive a fixed price before work begins?

Yes. After the scope is established and plans are in place we provide a detailed written estimate with fixed pricing. We do not use time and materials estimates that shift as the project progresses. If something changes during construction that affects the cost we discuss it with you and document it in a written change order before proceeding. You will never receive a surprise invoice at the end of a project.

What does a home addition cost in Montgomery County?

Most home additions in our market fall between $50,000 on the lower end for a modest room addition and $500,000 for a large second story addition or complex in-law suite with high-end finishes. The biggest cost factors are square footage, structural complexity, plumbing and electrical scope, and finish selections. For a detailed breakdown by project type read the cost of a second story addition in Montgomery County.

What does basement finishing cost in this area?

Basement finishing costs vary based on square footage, ceiling height, finish level, and whether plumbing is involved for a bathroom or wet bar. In Montgomery County most finished basement projects range from roughly $30,000 to $90,000 depending on those variables. Steve published a detailed local pricing guide specifically for this region: Basement Remodel Cost in Montgomery County PA.

Is a home addition worth it financially, or should I just move?

For many Montgomery County homeowners right now a home addition makes more financial sense than moving. When you factor in realtor commissions, transfer taxes, moving costs, and the premium you would pay to buy a larger home in the same school district, staying and building often comes out ahead. Beyond the numbers you get exactly the space you need in a neighborhood you already know. Steve wrote about this directly: Why More Homeowners in Montgomery County Are Remodeling Instead of Moving.

During Construction

How long will my project take?

Timelines vary by scope. Bathroom remodels typically run 3 to 6 weeks, kitchen renovations 6 to 10 weeks depending on cabinet lead times, and home additions 3 to 6 months from permit approval through final walkthrough. Permitting alone in Montgomery County townships typically takes 4 to 8 weeks. We build a specific schedule into your contract before work begins so you know what to expect at every stage.

Will I need to move out during construction?

In most cases no. The majority of projects we complete allow homeowners to stay in the home throughout construction. We maintain clean organized job sites, seal off work areas, and schedule disruptive phases like mechanical tie-ins to minimize impact on daily life. Some larger projects may have periods where certain areas are temporarily unusable and we will tell you honestly during planning if your project is one of those. Jana Merman wrote a practical firsthand guide on exactly this question: Should You Move Out During a Remodel?

What happens if you find unexpected problems once construction starts?

It happens, particularly on older homes. If we open a wall and find outdated wiring, water damage, or undersized structural members that were not visible during the estimate, we stop, show you exactly what we found, explain what it means, and give you a clear picture of the cost and time impact before we proceed. We do not move forward on unexpected work without your knowledge and written approval.

Stucco, Siding, and Exterior

How do I know if my home needs stucco remediation?

The most common warning signs are dark staining around windows and doors, diagonal cracking in the stucco surface, soft or spongy areas when you press on the wall, and water stains appearing on interior window frames. In many cases the exterior can look relatively intact while significant water damage is already present in the wall cavity behind it. Steve Merman has specialized training in identifying water intrusion and is often called in specifically after previous repairs by other contractors have failed. He will give you an honest assessment during the estimate visit. Read more about understanding stucco damage and why stucco fails in Montgomery and Chester County.

What is the difference between stucco repair and stucco remediation?

Stucco repair patches visible surface cracks. Stucco remediation removes the entire failing exterior system, repairs any water damage to the sheathing and framing underneath, corrects the original installation failures that caused the problem, and installs a new properly detailed exterior. Remediation solves the root cause. Repair typically buys time until the problem gets worse. For a full explanation read Stucco Remediation: Why It Is Crucial for Preventing Water Intrusion.

Do you do basement waterproofing?

No. Basement waterproofing is a separate specialty that we do not provide. We finish basements beautifully once active water issues have been resolved. If your basement has an active water intrusion problem we will advise you to address that with a waterproofing specialist before finishing work begins.

What siding materials do you install?

We install James Hardie® fiber cement siding and CertainTeed® vinyl siding on homes throughout our service area. Every exterior installation includes Benjamin Opdyke HydroGap® drainable house wrap and HydroFlash® GP flashing at all windows, doors, and transitions. These are the same products and systems we use on stucco remediation projects because they create a genuine drainage plane behind the cladding rather than just a surface seal.

Specific Project Types

Can you add a second story to my existing home?

Yes. Second story additions are some of the most impactful projects we build because they effectively double living space without expanding the footprint, which matters when lot coverage limits restrict how far you can build outward. The key structural consideration is whether the existing first floor framing and foundation can support a second story. Steve assesses this carefully during the estimate visit. Read the detailed cost breakdown: Cost of a Second Story Addition in Montgomery County PA.

What decking materials do you use?

We build decks using Trex® and AZEK® composite materials almost exclusively. Both are low maintenance, weather resistant, and hold up through Montgomery County winters without the splitting, warping, and annual sealing that pressure treated wood requires. For a detailed look at what goes into a well-built composite deck in our climate read Building the Right Trex Deck: Practical Advice from a Contractor Who Does This Every Day.

Do you replace windows and doors?

Yes. We install ViWinco® energy-efficient replacement windows and Reeb® exterior doors. Window and door replacement is often combined with siding or stucco remediation projects because the exterior is already open, which makes integration of new window flashing into the drainage plane cleaner and more effective. For guidance on timing read Is It Time to Replace Your Home’s Exterior Doors?

Choosing the Right Contractor

What should I look for when hiring a remodeling contractor in Montgomery County?

Verify their PA Home Improvement Contractor license through the Pennsylvania Attorney General contractor search tool. Ask to see a certificate of insurance. Look at completed project photos and read reviews on Google, Houzz, and the Better Business Bureau. Ask specifically who will be on site every day supervising your project and insist on a fixed price written contract before any work begins. For a frank discussion of what separates reliable contractors from those who cut corners read Choosing the Right Remodeling Contractor: Why It Matters.

How do I know Merman Construction is trustworthy?

We have been based in Collegeville for over 20 years, maintain an A+ BBB rating, and carry 26 five-star Google reviews. We are members of the National Association of Home Builders, the Pennsylvania Builders Association, and the Home Builders Association of Bucks and Montgomery County. We are featured on Houzz and recognized by RE/MAX Achievers as a trusted stucco remediation contractor. Our customer reviews and testimonials are real homeowners from this area who hired us and put their name on it.

Still Have Questions?

Call Steve directly at 610-489-4132, email info@mermanconstruction.com, or fill out our contact form and we will get back to you promptly. No pressure, no obligation, just a straight conversation about your project.