Frequently Asked Questions.

On a full gut remodel, the wall behind the old tub or shower is opened to check the framing and subfloor before any new components are set. Betterhouse LLC handles the entire room — custom tile across the floor and walls, not just the shower area — so every surface is addressed by the same crew in the same sequence.

The old tub is removed and the framing and subfloor underneath are inspected before anything new goes in. Conversions are completed within the existing footprint to avoid plumbing moves, with custom tile carried across the full room rather than a prefab insert dropped into the opening.

Deck prep starts with a bleach and pressure wash to strip mildew and gray oxidation, followed by a full drying period and a light sanding to open the wood grain. Stain — or primer and stain, depending on the color and product — goes on only after those steps are complete so it penetrates and bonds correctly rather than lifting within a season.

Painting over rotted wood traps moisture and lets the damage spread to surrounding sound material. The rot is cut back to solid wood, the section is replaced or patched and primed, and the repair is finished as part of the exterior job — so the surface holds paint the way sound wood does instead of failing again within a season.

A repair is the right call when damage is confined to a specific area — separated flashing, lifted shingles, or softened fascia. The damaged section is replaced and sealed after the cause is confirmed, so the repair performs as a continuous surface rather than a patch. Ranch and split-level homes in Garner and Durham often need attention at flashing and fascia where roof lines meet additions.

The existing floor is removed, the subfloor is inspected and leveled where needed, and planks are laid to the manufacturer's layout with expansion gaps at walls and transitions. Trim and transitions are finished at the end of the install so the floor is complete in one visit rather than requiring a follow-up.

Demolition covers removing existing finishes and fixtures, opening walls where framing and subfloor inspection is needed, and clearing all debris from the site. Any conditions found behind the surfaces — soft subfloor, compromised framing — are reported before the next phase is scheduled so the homeowner has accurate information before committing to materials or layout.

On trim that has been repainted multiple times, the standard approach is to scrape back the built-up layers before new paint goes on — though the customer's preference shapes the method. Siding damage and wood rot found during prep are addressed as part of the same exterior job so the new paint goes onto a sound, continuous surface.

Interior painting at Betterhouse LLC covers walls and room surfaces for residential homes and commercial spaces such as apartments — cabinet painting and furniture painting are not offered. Keeping the scope focused on walls allows proper prep to happen in the right sequence, which is what determines whether the finish holds for years rather than peeling at patched spots within the first season.

The most common reason is skipping or rushing the cleaning step — stain applied over a dirty, wet, or weathered surface won't penetrate or bond correctly, so it lifts or fades far sooner than it should. A bleach wash, a full dry, and a light sanding before any product goes on are what separate a finish that lasts from one that needs redoing within two seasons.

Bathroom remodel costs in Raleigh typically range from a few thousand dollars for a finish swap to significantly more when plumbing or walls are being moved. The final number depends on your layout changes, fixture selections, and tile choices. Betterhouse provides an itemized estimate so you know exactly where every dollar goes before work begins.

Most bathroom remodels run two to four weeks from demolition to finished tile, depending on the scope of work. Projects that require moving plumbing or reconfiguring walls take longer than straightforward finish replacements. Your project timeline is outlined before work starts so you can plan around it.

Moving plumbing or removing walls adds the most time and cost to a bathroom remodel because it involves structural and rough-in work before any finishes go in. Swapping fixtures, tile, and vanities on an unchanged layout is faster and more predictable. Pinning down your scope early is the clearest way to keep both the budget and schedule on track.