Answer: Maybe? Planning a major construction project—whether it’s a full home renovation, a kitchen remodel, or building a custom home in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Rio Rancho, New Mexico, or Santa Fe, New Mexico—comes with a lot of decisions before construction even begins. One of the most misunderstood roles in that process is the interior designer. Some homeowners think an interior designer is only for “decorating at the end.” Others assume a contractor can handle everything

A few years ago, I got a call through a familiar connection. A woman friend of mine reached out and told me her ex-husband was planning a project on his home in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. The divorce was amicable, and they were still on good terms. She said, “He’s thinking about converting his detached two-car garage into a casita. I told him he should talk to you.” That introduction led to one of the more common—but costly—remodeling situations we see in the Albuquerque area. A

(image is AI rendered. Not the actual photos but the story is true) A few months ago, I walked into one of the most beautiful older bathrooms I had seen in Albuquerque. The home had classic Southwest character that you simply do not see very often anymore. In the center of the room sat an old clawfoot tub resting on worn Saltillo tile floors. The walls around the tub were covered halfway up with colorful handcrafted Mexican tile that had probably been there for decades. Behin

If you remodeled your kitchen in 2016, built a home addition in 2018, or received a construction estimate before the pandemic, today’s pricing can feel shocking. Many homeowners in Albuquerque and throughout New Mexico are experiencing “sticker shock” when planning large remodel projects in 2026. Projects that once cost $75,000 may now cost $125,000 or more. Major additions and whole-home remodels that were once achievable under $200,000 can now approach double those numbers