Field notes from Salem NH

The Anjo Blog

Straight talk from Tony, on the tools since 2018. Cost guides, hire-smart checklists, and finish-carpentry walkthroughs in plain trade voice.

Featured · Most-asked question this corridor

Cost Guides

What shapes the cost of a kitchen remodel in Salem NH?

The cost of a kitchen remodel in Salem NH comes down to four things: your cabinet line, your counter material, whether you move plumbing or walls, and what we find behind your walls. Book a free consultation and we put every line of your number in writing.

Tony SquilliniApril 22, 20266 min read

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Hire Smart

She wanted a ninja warrior course for her 6th birthday. So we built one.

A dad called wanting a ninja warrior course for his daughter's sixth birthday. Not a plastic kit. A real one she could grow into. Here is how we built it to hold up, and why a backyard course is a real construction job, not a weekend project.

Tony Squillini7 min read

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Permits & Law

What should be in a New Hampshire home improvement contract

New Hampshire has no home-improvement-specific contract statute, so the strength of your contract is up to you. Insist on a written total price, a deposit no larger than a third, a clear scope, proof of insurance, and the federal three-day right to cancel. Below is the full checklist.

Tony Squillini6 min read

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Hire Smart

7 questions to ask before hiring a general contractor in New Hampshire

Before you hire a general contractor in New Hampshire, ask for proof of insurance, the licensed trades doing your electrical and plumbing, three real project addresses, and a written contract that spells out price, schedule, and scope. The seven questions below catch every common problem in this corridor.

Tony Squillini9 min read

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Cost Guides

What's the difference between a budget and a high-end kitchen remodel?

A budget kitchen typically keeps the existing layout and swaps cabinets, counters, lighting, and paint. A high-end kitchen usually moves plumbing or walls, upgrades to custom or semi-custom cabinets, and adds an island or new appliance suite.

Tony Squillini5 min read

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Permits & Law

Do I need a permit for a coffered ceiling or accent wall in New Hampshire?

Most coffered ceilings and accent walls in New Hampshire do NOT require a permit because they are decorative finish carpentry, not structural. If the work involves new electrical, recessed lighting, or load-bearing changes, then yes a permit is required.

Tony Squillini5 min read

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Hire Smart

How to find a contractor who actually shows up

Three signals tell you whether a contractor will actually show up: did they answer your first call and follow up when they said they would, will they hand you proof of insurance and trade licenses, and can they show you finished projects you can drive past. If any one is missing, keep looking.

Tony Squillini5 min read

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Permits & Law

How to verify your contractor is licensed and insured in New Hampshire

New Hampshire does not license general contractors, so verifying one means checking four things: the licensed trades (electrician and plumber) on the NH OPLC lookup, a real Certificate of Insurance, the business registration, and the reviews. Here is the exact walkthrough.

Tony Squillini4 min read

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Project Process

How long does a typical bathroom remodel take in New Hampshire?

A standard hall bathroom remodel takes 9 to 14 working days from demo to final caulk. A full primary suite with tile shower, double vanity, and lighting changes runs 12 to 18 working days. Below is the day-by-day map we hand homeowners on day one.

Tony Squillini5 min read

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Finish Carpentry

Coffered ceiling installation: 4 styles for a 1980s colonial

Four coffered ceiling styles work in a 1980s colonial: square grid, beam-and-flat, recessed panel, and shadow box. Each style fits a different room shape and budget. Below is what shapes the cost of each, from Salem NH and Windham dining rooms.

Tony Squillini6 min read

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Want it explained in plain English?

Book a free consultation. Tony walks the project himself, 30 minutes on site, and you get a written estimate with every line spelled out. On the tools since 2018, Licensed MA HIC #193858, insured.

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