Published on Mar 01, 2026
Welcome to another Q&A session where I answer questions from y'all on the internet.
Today's question is:
Unfortunately, yes — all the time. You never know what you’re going to find behind walls or what previous contractors may have done incorrectly. That’s why we try to account for potential surprises in our initial estimate. We include contingency costs so homeowners aren’t blindsided later.
For example, during this project, when we were self-leveling floors and patching drywall, we discovered that two closet walls weren’t anchored properly to the concrete. The bottom plate — which all the studs attach to — wasn’t secured at all. That meant the walls had movement and weren’t structurally sound.
We had to cut holes in the drywall, drill into the concrete, and install three-inch anchors to properly secure the walls. Now they’re solid. Those are the kinds of hidden issues that you can’t see until you open things up.
Kolten explains that hidden structural issues are common during remodeling projects. Walls may be improperly anchored, framing may be incomplete, or prior work may not meet structural standards. In this example, unanchored closet walls required correction by drilling and securing them into concrete. Nex-Gen Remodels anticipates these risks by including contingency planning in their estimates. The goal is transparency and protection for the homeowner, ensuring that unexpected discoveries don’t derail the project financially or structurally.