HOME ADDITION, ADU, AND CONSTRUCTION QUESTIONS
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers about how we work, what things cost, and what Massachusetts law requires of a contractor. If your question is not here, call us at (774) 249-0221.
Working With ARM Construction
Do you charge for estimates?
No. The on-site consultation and the written estimate are free, and there is no obligation to move forward. We would rather spend an hour at your property than give you a number over the phone that changes once we see the house. On additions and ADUs especially, the cost is driven by conditions you cannot see in a photo.
Is ARM Construction licensed and insured in Massachusetts?
Yes. ARM Construction & Management Inc holds Massachusetts Home Improvement Contractor Registration #153199. Andrew Mercurio holds Massachusetts Construction Supervisor License #CS-093044, issued in 2011. Both are active and you can verify either one yourself through the Commonwealth's public license lookup. The Construction Supervisor License is the credential that legally covers structural work, which is what allows us to take on additions and ADUs that many remodeling companies cannot.
Who actually does the work on my project?
We self-perform the core structural work, including foundations, masonry and stonework, framing, and finish carpentry. Andrew Mercurio is a fourth-generation builder who started in masonry, and he is on the job site rather than managing it by phone. Licensed electricians and plumbers are brought in for their trades, as required by Massachusetts law, and we coordinate them as part of the project so you are not scheduling anyone yourself.
Do you take small jobs, or only large projects?
Both. A good share of our work is additions and full remodels, but we also do smaller finish carpentry, window and door replacement, tile work, and repairs. If it is genuinely a one hour job we may not be the right call, and we will tell you that rather than take it and give it half our attention. Call and describe it and we will be straight with you.
Where does ARM work?
We work throughout Worcester County, including Worcester, Leominster, Shrewsbury, Westborough, Holden, Grafton, Northborough, Southborough, Sterling, West Boylston, Boylston, and Princeton. If you are just outside that list, call and ask. Depending on the project we may still be able to help.
Pricing and Payment
How much can a contractor ask for as a deposit in Massachusetts?
Under Massachusetts home improvement contractor law, a deposit cannot exceed one third of the total contract price, or the cost of special order materials, whichever is greater. Any contractor asking for more than that up front is outside the rules. Your contract should also spell out the full payment schedule tied to stages of the work, along with start and completion dates.
What does a project actually cost?
It depends on the work. Most additions in Central Massachusetts run $150 to $350 per square foot fully finished. ADUs range from roughly $95,000 for a basement or garage conversion up to $380,000 for a detached unit. Kitchen remodels generally run $15,000 to $130,000 depending on scope, and bathrooms $8,800 to $55,000. Real numbers by project type are on our home additions page and our ADU page, and you get a firm written figure after we see the property.
What happens if you find something unexpected once the work starts?
On older homes in Worcester County, it happens. Rot behind siding, a foundation that is not what it looked like from outside, knob and tube wiring, framing that does not match modern dimensions. You hear about it the same day, along with what it means for the timeline and the price, and we agree on the change before we proceed. Massachusetts requires that any change to the contract be put in writing and signed by both parties, which protects you and keeps everyone honest.
Permits, Timeline, and Living Through It
Do you handle the permits, or do I need to?
We handle them. ARM Construction pulls the building permit and the associated electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits with your town, and manages the inspection schedule through to final sign off. You are not filling out applications or sitting in front of a building department. Under Massachusetts law a homeowner who pulls their own permit gives up access to the Guaranty Fund, which is one more reason to let the contractor do it.
How far out are you booking?
It varies by season and by project size. We can usually get out to look at a property within a week. Start dates depend on what is already on the calendar and, for anything involving a foundation, on the weather, since foundation work is harder to schedule in Massachusetts between December and March. We will tell you honestly what the schedule looks like rather than booking you and then pushing the date.
Can I live in my house during the project?
For most additions, yes. An addition is built alongside the existing house and only breaks through at the tie-in point, so the disruption is concentrated into a short window rather than spread across the whole job. Kitchen and bathroom remodels are harder, since you lose the use of that room for the duration. Whole home remodels usually mean moving out. We will tell you up front which category your project falls into so you can plan around it.
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ARM Construction & Management Inc
131 Houghton Road
Princeton, MA 01541
(774) 249-0221
BUSINESS
REMODELING
ADDITIONS & ADUS
Licensed and insured in Massachusetts. MA CSL #CS-093044 | MA HIC Reg. #153199
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