Frequently asked questions

John maintains a Class a BLD license and is a master of finish carpentry.  Cynthia is a NARI Certified Kitchen and Bath Remodeler.  In addition, Cynthia has trained with the NKBA for Kitchen and Bathroom design and planning and aging in place.  Murphy’s Design is an active member of the National Association of Remodelers Metro DC Chapter. (NARI.org)

One of our most frequently asked questions! Murphy’s Design was established in 2007, by John and Cynthia Murphy.  John has beeen remodeling and building homes and other structures since 1982.  After a 20 year break from design working in Real Estate Cynthia returned to her true passion. She always knew she would once their kids got older so when the opportunity presented itself she decided to specialize in Kitchens and Bathrooms. Both John and Cynthia have over 40 years of experience working with Homeowners.

Yes, John and Cynthia both have the experience and the resources to create Aging in Place and ADA Accesible spaces.

While planning your project we utilize many local showrooms. Some clients enjoy these field trips while others prefer having samples brought to them in the comfort of their own home. In addition, Cynthia is an expert in the field of cabinet selection and design and has been working with Dura Supreme (www.durasupreme.com) and many other quality cabinet suppliers to meet the needs of our bathroom, kitchen, and built ins for over 20 years. We have a full catalog of samples, door and finishes and utilize advancements in virtual technologies to create a personalized experience for you all while taking advantage of lower overhead costs that can be passed on to your project. 

Murphy’s Design works primarily in Fairfax County, but we also work in parts of Alexandria, Loudoun, Fauquier and Prince William Counties.

Yes, Murphy’s Design will provide our Project Development Services with Homeowners who already have a Contractor.  

No, we do not work off of other designer’s plans.  We believe that thorough design and planning is the most critical step you can take to guarantee a successful remodeling experience.  All of our projects start with our Design and Planning Agreement prior to any Construction Agreements being prepared.  We do however work with other building contractors.

I love cost questions! Cost is one of the first questions I get on our consultations and how transparent your remodeler can be really sets the tone for how the whole project will go as far as communication is concerned.

 

That said, every project is unique to the homes we work in. 5×7 Bathrooms start at $25k. Many of our larger bathrooms have luxury features such as heated tubs, floors and multiple shower heads.

 

We also offer our design and planning as a standalone service and that typically involves an investment of $2500-$5000. Dependent upon the scope. For those clients just looking for someone to bounce ideas, answer questions and help as an advisor our virtual programs are a great solution.

There really is no usual for us when it comes to kitchens! We just love them so much.  Murphy’s Design will pull and replace your kitchen or do a complete design build major remodel. That can make the cost vary wildly.  I recommend you set up your free consult so that you can gain much better insight on the cost associated with what you want to do.

I can tell you our average Design Build Kitchen Project runs $80k with most pull and replace kitchens at a minimum of $45k and minor kitchen refreshes $25k. Kitchens are very dependent on the Cabinet and Countertop Selection as well as the age of your home. It’s common for the products you select to cost more than the labor to install them for minor Kitchen remodels.

At Murphy’s Design we differentiate ourselves in a couple of ways; 

First, every bathroom we do goes through our design and planning phase. This way all the decisions are well thought out and coordinated with each other for a detailed and pulled together look.

Second, we waterproof and install using Schluter Products on every project as a standard. As Certified Schluter installers we value the importance of a solid underlayment that protects your remodeling investment and is easy for you to maintain and keep looking like new. If you are using our virutal design and planning services then we will make sure you know the importance of waterproofing. Things like minimal grout lines, proper sloping, timers and switches will also be discussed when it comes to making your bathroom stand out. If you’d like to read about a bathroom we were hired to remodel because it suffered mold damage as a result of not being properly waterproofed you may do so here!

Not all projects require a local building permit, some will need stand alone permits for plumbing and electrical. At Murphy’s Design we handle obtaining the permits based on the local jurisdictional guidance. In short, your project may require a building permit when existing walls are being removed, modified or new walls are being framed. The timing of inspections are dependent on your local jurisdiction but most require a concealment (pre-drywall) and a completion. 

Yes, we will collaborate on your furnishings and window treatments for any remodeling projects.  However, if  you only need soft furnishings or window treatments and not remodeling we have several excellent partners who can help you directly.