Frequently Asked Questions

What areas do you offer your services?

Although we are based in the Kerhonkson area we service all of Hudson Valley and the Catskills.

How much does it cost to build?

Can you build custom shelves and cabinets for my house?

Yes we have great relationships with local cabinet makers and craftsmen who can build whatever you want.

Why do we charge for estimates?

At The Upstate Build Company, we put a great deal of time and care into preparing each estimate. It’s not just a quick number — it involves site visits, measurements, material research, and thoughtful planning to ensure every aspect of your project is properly considered.Because this process is detailed and time-intensive, we charge a consultation fee for our time and expertise. This allows us to dedicate the focus and attention your project deserves from the very beginning.If you decide to move forward and build with us, the consultation fee is fully credited toward your project cost. This approach keeps things transparent, ensures fairness, and reflects the same level of professionalism we bring to every build.Why We Charge for EstimatesSome contractors even guess on pricing or provide single-line numbers for complex jobs. Unfortunately, many are hired based solely on the lowest bid — not on their attention to detail, knowledge of building codes, familiarity with best practices, professionalism, client relationships, or jobsite cleanliness.At The Upstate Build Company, we believe you deserve more than a guess. You deserve a well-considered plan based on real knowledge, experience, and integrity.A Partnership ApproachWe don’t believe in bidding wars — we believe in partnerships.Our goal is to be sought after by clients who value craftsmanship and integrity, to become your builder for life, cultivating a long-term relationship built on mutual respect and trust in the quality of our work.“We’re not here to win the job — we’re here to build a relationship.”

What Influences the Cost of Your Build

Understanding the factors that shape your project cost helps create clarity and realistic expectations from the very beginning. Here are the primary elements:

Key Cost Factors

Design Complexity
Custom architecture, unique layouts, and special structural features naturally increase both materials and labor.
Materials Selection
High-end, sustainable, or premium finishes—large windows, specialty woods, custom features—have a significant impact on the overall budget.
Site Preparation
Clearing land, grading, excavation, drainage, and foundation challenges can all add to the cost, especially on complex or sloped sites.
Labor Rates
Local labor pricing, particularly for skilled trades, directly affects your final numbers.
Permits & Fees
Zoning approvals, building permits, engineering reviews, and inspections add required costs to every project.

Why Accurate Costs Matter

Everyone wants to know the same thing: How much is it going to cost?
Unfortunately, many projects start off on the wrong foot because:

Builders underbid just to win the job
Surprise charges or “required” add-ons appear mid-project
Scope misunderstandings cause disputes
Work quality suffers—or the builder disappears altogether

We’ve all heard those stories. This happens when there is no clear plan, no clear scope, and no transparent process.

Our Approach: Professional. Transparent. Trust-Driven.

We take a different path—one built on clarity and integrity from day one.
A successful build requires mutual trust between client and contractor, and that starts with a fully defined project.

To create an accurate estimate, we require:

A full architectural plan set
A detailed project schedule
An approved materials list

Developing these items is part of pre-construction and takes time, expertise, and often financial investment—but it ensures the project runs smoothly and minimizes surprises.

Land & Cost Planning

If you already own land, we can create a far more accurate estimate early in the process.
If you haven’t purchased land yet, we can estimate the home itself and outline the additional services needed to prepare a property for building.

Current Cost Range

Due to fluctuating material prices over recent years, the current average cost to build in our region is:

$300 – $550 per square foot

Lower end: simpler designs + modest finishes
Higher end: complex architecture + premium materials + Site & Utility.

Additional Considerations

Many clients discover additional scope items as planning progresses—utilities, drainage, structural upgrades, custom finishes, property access, etc.—all of which can influence the final cost.

Why we believe a contract is important.

We believe that a detailed contract — one that clearly lays out the scope of work, schedule, and estimated costs — is absolutely essential to protect both the builder and the client. This agreement ensures everyone understands the expectations from the start and provides a solid framework for accountability. It becomes a living document that can be referenced throughout the build to confirm what has been agreed upon, helping to prevent misunderstandings, manage changes, and keep the project on track.

What do you charge for your services?

Because we offer bespoke services. Each project has its own needs and is priced accordingly. We charge on a sliding scale depending on the complexity of each job. We prefer to be 100% transparent and charge "Time and Materials" with receipts and timecards to back up all charges

Only as many as we can personally handle with hands-on every single stage

How many projects do you work on at a time?

What are the next steps if you want to work with us?

Reach out to us and we will speak about what you are thinking about and then we send you a series of questions to better determine how to move forward. After that if you decide to move forward with us, we will meet in person and discuss next steps.