Ask what it does to value
Some projects make a house easier to live in and easier to sell. Others cost more than they add. Before you sign, I'll look at what similar homes with and without that update have sold for.
What we go over before you commit.
- Lot
City water and sewer, or well and septic. Zoning, setbacks, easements, and any HOA covenants. How the lot drains. What homes nearby have sold for.
- Plan
A layout that works for you now and for a buyer later. Bedroom count, garage size, and where the laundry goes all come up again when you sell.
- Builder
Bids you can compare line by line: allowances, what's included, and how change orders are priced.
- Resale value
What the finished house should be worth next to the resale homes around it, so you don't build far past what the street will pay.
H&H Construction
The contractor I work with.
- Veteran-ownedOwner Hans Hottel served in the Army National Guard.
- Based in RochesterLicensed in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa.
- The workStorm damage, roofs, siding, decks, remodels, and additions.
- My roleProject manager. I bid jobs, write quotes, and keep current jobs on track.
- Giving backH&H runs a yearly Veteran Roof Giveaway.
Straight up: I work for H&H and I'm a Real Estate Expert with Wayvora Realty. If I suggest H&H for your project, you'll know that going in, and you're free to get other bids.
mnhandhconstructionllc.comRemodel, deck, or addition?
Decks and railings
Loose railings, soft boards, and rusted hardware are safety problems, and inspectors write them up. Get a deck looked at before you list, and before another winter.
After a storm
After hail or high wind, have the roof and siding checked. Your insurance policy has deadlines for claims, so read it and don't wait for spring.
Before you buy a fixer
Thinking about a house that needs work? I can get an H&H quote on the big items before you write the offer.
“When most people think about remodeling they ask: ‘How much will this cost?’ But the question I always ask is: ‘What will this do to your home’s value?’”
Reading builder bids line by line.
Two bids for the same plan can look thousands apart and still be close once you line them up. Or the cheap one leaves out half the yard. Here's what I compare:
- Allowances for cabinets, counters, flooring, lighting, and appliances. Low allowances make a bid look cheap until you pick finishes.
- Site work: excavation, grading, driveway, sidewalk, sod or seed, and landscaping. These are easy to leave out.
- Utility hookups, permit fees, and surveys.
- How change orders are priced and approved.
- The draw schedule: when money is due and what has to be done first.
- A written schedule, and what happens if it slips.
- The warranty, in writing.
Timelines people underestimate.
- Selections
Cabinets, counters, flooring, and fixtures all have lead times. Late decisions push the schedule.
- Weather
Exterior work slows when the ground freezes. Concrete poured in cold weather needs heat and blankets, and that costs extra.
- Permits and inspections
Each stage waits on an inspection before the next one starts.
- Contractor calendars
Good trades book out. In April 2026, H&H was 60 to 90 days out on deck builds.
Build vs buy.
Buy a resale
Better when you need keys on a fixed date and the homes for sale include a layout you can live with. We still price any fixes before you offer.
- Faster, with a known closing date
- You see exactly what you get
- Updates can come later, on your budget
Build new
Better when the layout you need doesn't exist in what's for sale, and you can live with lot work, bids, and weather. We still check resale value before you pour.
- Your layout and finishes
- New systems and a statutory warranty
- More decisions, and more ways for the schedule to move
Build and remodel questions.
Do I have to use H&H if I work with you?
No. I'll help you compare any builder's or contractor's bids. If H&H is a good fit for the job, I'll tell you, and you'll know I work there.
Can you help me find a lot?
Yes. Lots for sale show up in my FlexMLS search under Land / lots, and some builders sell their own. Text me the area and I'll pull what's out there.
How long does a new build take?
It depends on the builder, the plan, and the season. Ask each builder for a written schedule. Selections, weather, and inspections are the usual reasons dates move.
What warranty comes with a new home in Minnesota?
Minnesota's statutory warranty covers one year for workmanship and materials, two years for plumbing, electrical, heating, and cooling installation, and ten years for major construction defects. Get the builder's own warranty in writing too.
Should I remodel or move?
Compare three numbers: what the remodel costs, what it adds to the value, and what it costs to sell and buy. I can price both sides.
Can I get a remodel estimate on a house I'm thinking of buying?
Yes. Through H&H I can get a real quote on the big items before you write an offer.
Read more in Morning Thoughts.
Building · How long does a build actually take around Rochester?Lot, plan, bids, weather, and the parts of a schedule a rendering leaves out.ReadBuying · What buyers miss on the first Rochester showingPaint and cabinets get the attention. The furnace, the grading, and the real cost of a fix matter more.ReadSelling · Listing through a Rochester winter without looking like you're stuckPrice, photos, and a clear path to the front door. What to do if you list before the thaw.Read