FAQs
Everything you need to know before starting your remodel.
Answers from four generations of experience serving Centerville, Dayton, Kettering, Oakwood, and the surrounding communities.
Budget & Cost FAQs
Transparent answers about investment, ROI, and what things actually cost
We believe an informed client makes the best decisions. Here's what you need to know about budgeting a remodel in the Dayton area.
Kitchen remodel costs in the Dayton area vary significantly based on scope, size, and materials. As a general starting point:
- Entry-level updates (countertops, backsplash, hardware): $25,000–$45,000
- Mid-range full kitchen remodel with new cabinetry and appliances: $90,000–$120,000
- High-end custom kitchen with layout changes and premium finishes: $120,000–$150,000+
The single biggest variable is whether your project requires structural changes, removing walls, moving plumbing, or reconfiguring the layout. These add cost but often deliver the most dramatic results. Selections can also have a major impact on cost.
Bathroom remodels in the Dayton area generally fall into these ranges:
- Guest bath or hall bath refresh: $30,000–$50,000
- Full primary bathroom renovation: $75,000–$85,000
- Luxury primary suite with custom tile, walk-in shower, freestanding tub, and heated floors: $80,000–$125,000+
Homeowners in established Centerville and Oakwood neighborhoods should plan for surprises behind walls, outdated plumbing, inadequate waterproofing, or subfloor damage from previous leaks. We do a thorough assessment upfront so there are no surprises once demolition begins.
Rarely. In the Dayton remodeling market, a significantly lower bid almost always means something is being left out — substandard waterproofing, unlicensed subcontractors, lower-grade materials, or cut corners on structural work that won't be visible once the walls are closed.
In the Centerville, Oakwood, and Kettering markets — where buyers expect updated, well-maintained homes — a well-executed kitchen or bathroom remodel typically returns 50–70% of the project cost in added resale value.
More importantly, homeowners who plan to stay in their home for five or more years often find the quality-of-life return far exceeds the financial ROI. A kitchen you love cooking in every day has value that doesn't show up on a spreadsheet. If you're remodeling specifically to sell, we're happy to advise on which updates deliver the strongest return in your specific neighborhood.
Remodeling Magazine puts together an annual Cost vs. Value Report which compares the average cost of remodeling projects against the value those projects retain at resale.
We don't offer in-house financing directly, but many of our clients use home equity lines of credit (HELOCs), home equity loans, or cash-out refinancing. These are often the most cost-effective options given current home values in Centerville, Kettering, and Oakwood — many homeowners in these neighborhoods have significant equity to draw from.
We can also structure larger projects in phases if that makes more sense for your budget and timeline, starting with a master plan so each phase connects cohesively.
The most common causes in the Dayton area are:
- Surprise conditions behind walls in older Centerville, Oakwood, and Kettering homes
- Client change orders during construction — design decisions that change after work has begun
- Material upgrades selected
- Scope creep — "while you're in there" additions that weren't in the original plan
We do our best to anticipate surprises through a thorough pre-construction inspection and by locking in all material selections before breaking ground. Our clients receive a detailed, exact-cost proposal before we start — not a ballpark range.
Our Process FAQs
From first call to final walkthrough, here's exactly how we work.
Remodeling should feel exciting, not overwhelming. We've built a clear, step-by-step process so you always know where your project stands, who to call, and what comes next.
Our process is built to take you from the first conversation all the way through construction without ever having to juggle multiple contractors or vendors on your own. It starts with a phone consultation to learn about your project, moves into design and material selection, and finishes with a dedicated Project Lead overseeing your build from day one to final walkthrough. Every step is structured so you always know what's coming next.
The first step is a simple phone call. We'll talk through your project, your home's location, and your general vision. From there, we'll schedule an in-person consultation where we dig into the details, walk through your goals, and give you a rough scope and anticipated investment range by the end of that meeting. There's no pressure and no commitment required at that stage.
The Design & Project Development phase typically runs 6–12 weeks and is where your project really takes shape. We take detailed field measurements, inspect your home's structure, and create floor plans and 3D renderings so you can see your remodel before a single wall comes down. Our Designer works with you throughout this phase to choose finishes and materials that match your vision and your budget.
Yes , that's a core part of how we work. Before we ever break ground, you'll receive a comprehensive scope of work, a full materials list, and an exact project cost. We don't hand you a ballpark and hope for the best. All material selections are locked in during the design phase, so there are no surprises waiting for you mid-project.
Once the construction contract is signed, we order all materials and schedule your start date around their delivery. Before work begins, you'll meet your dedicated Project Lead who will be your primary point of contact throughout the build. They'll provide daily updates and progress photos through our project management software, and make sure the worksite stays clean and organized at the end of every day. We also take dust control seriously, your home is still your home while we're in it.
Absolutely. Our commitment doesn't end at final walkthrough. Every project comes with a 12-month warranty and regular check-ins to address anything that comes up. We also extend support for up to 24 months for certain issues. If you ever have a question about your newly remodeled space, we're a phone call away, that's what four generations of family-owned business looks like in practice.
Design & Materials FAQs
Your selections, your style — we help you make decisions you'll love for decades.
Choosing finishes, materials, and layouts can feel like the most overwhelming part of a remodel. We built our process around making those decisions feel manageable.
Not at all. Most clients come to us with a general idea, maybe a photo saved on Pinterest or a vague sense that their kitchen just isn't working anymore. That's plenty to get started. Our team will guide you through the design process from early concepts all the way to finalized floor plans and 3D renderings, so you can actually see your space before anything is torn out.
Yes, and this is one of the things that sets our process apart. During the Design & Project Development phase, we create detailed floor plans and renderings based on your home's actual measurements. We will revise the designs so they reflect exactly what you want. No surprises when the walls come down.
Jenna works closely with you throughout the design phase to guide every material and finish decision. From cabinet styles and countertop materials to tile, fixtures, and hardware. Her job is to help you find options that match your vision and stay within your budget. You won't be left alone in a showroom trying to figure it out.
Yes, and that's intentional. We lock in all material selections before breaking ground so your project cost is exact and your timeline stays on track. It's one of the most important ways we protect you from mid-project surprises and delays. We will make sure you feel confident in every choice well before that deadline.
We understand that ideas can evolve, and we do our best to accommodate changes early in the process. Once construction begins, however, changes become more complex. They can affect the timeline, the budget, and work that's already been completed. We invest significant time upfront in the design phase specifically so that by the time we break ground, you feel completely settled on the plan.
We don't have a signature look we try to apply to every home. Our goal is to understand your lifestyle, your taste, and how you actually use your space and then design around that. Whether you're drawn to clean and modern, warm and traditional, or something in between, our team brings creative ideas to the table while keeping the details tight and the execution precise.
Choosing A Contractor FAQs
The contractor you choose is as important as the project itself, here's what to look for.
Letting someone into your home to tear out walls and rebuild from scratch takes real trust. We've been earning that trust in the Greater Dayton Area since the 1930s and we believe every homeowner deserves to know exactly what to look for before signing a contract with anyone.
Start with the basics:
- Are they licensed and insured?
- Do they specialize in the type of work you need?
- Can they show you completed projects similar to yours? Are the photos on their website their actual work, or stock images?
- How they handle unexpected conditions?
- What their communication looks like during the project?
- Do they use a project management software?
- Do they provide an exact cost or just a range?
- Where do they get their materials?
- Do they have their own employees?
A contractor who hesitates on any of those questions is worth paying attention to.
A general contractor typically manages construction only. You're responsible for hiring a separate architect or designer and coordinating between them. A design-build firm like Zengel Group handles design and construction under one roof, which means better coordination, a single point of accountability, and a smoother experience from the first conversation to the final walkthrough. There's no gap between what was designed and what gets built.
Start by asking whether they carry general liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage. Request to see the certificate. Ask if their trade partners are licensed and insured. Beyond that, look at how long they've been in business, their reviews, and if they're active members of recognized trade organizations like the Home Builders Association. One thing worth knowing: Ohio does not require remodeling contractors to hold a state license, which makes it even more important to do your homework. And while the BBB is a commonly referenced resource, BBB accreditation is something contractors pay for — it's not an independent endorsement of quality or craftsmanship. The most reliable signals are a proven local track record, reviews, and a portfolio of completed work you can actually see.
Longevity in the remodeling industry isn't just a marketing point, it's proof of accountability. Contractors who cut corners or disappear after a project don't last. The Zengel family has four generations of building and remodeling in the Dayton area, with roots going back to the 1930s. That kind of track record means we've built a reputation worth protecting on every single project.
Rarely. A significantly lower bid usually means something was left out of the scope, lower-quality materials are being planned, or the contractor is underestimating the work and will make it up through change orders later. Instead of comparing bids by price alone, compare what's actually included. A detailed, exact-cost proposal is worth far more than a low ballpark number that climbs once work begins.
Our team holds four NAHB certifications, including Certified Graduate Remodeler, Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist, Certified Green Professional, and Certified Graduate Builder. These aren't honorary titles, they require ongoing education and demonstrated expertise. Combined with active leadership roles in the Home Builders Association at the local, state, and national levels, it means we stay current on codes, best practices, and emerging standards that directly affect the quality of your project.