Fredericksburg · Spotsylvania · Stafford · King George · Caroline

Fredericksburg's home improvement experts. Class A licensed. Since 2009.

Handyman to full basement finishes — one licensed contractor, one point of contact, no subs you've never met. Remodeled by the same family of companies that builds new homes.

2009building here since
A+BBB accredited since 2015
Class AVA licensed & bonded
Top 13%of VA contractors · BuildZoom
What we do

Seven service lines. One contractor.

01

Handyman Services

Small jobs done right — no project too small for a licensed crew, and no $1,000 legal ceiling like an unlicensed handyman.

Handyman guide →

02

Doors & Windows

Measure, quote, install — energy-efficient replacements. Like-for-like swaps usually need no permit in Virginia.

Brands & materials guide →

03

Decks

Custom outdoor living, from a simple platform to a full multi-level build — permits, footings, and inspections handled.

Trex vs. TimberTech vs. wood →

04

Roofing

Repairs and full replacements by a local licensed VA Class A contractor — no storm-chasers, no pressure.

Shingle brands compared →

05

Sunrooms

Three- and four-season additions that add real living space — built like a true addition, because we build additions.

3-season vs. 4-season guide →

06

Basement Finishing

Full finishes — our most requested service. Design to done, with egress, permits, and every inspection covered.

Basement design guide →

07

Garage Conversions & ADUs

Turn parked-car space into living space — conversions, in-law suites, and accessory dwelling units, zoning to final.

Conversion & ADU guide →

New to hiring? Start with our guide: how to hire a contractor in Virginia — the 2025 license rules.

Family owned. Licensed. Building here since 2009.

CORELOT began in 2009 as Consolidated Contracting LLC, a Fredericksburg home improvement company founded by Jeremiah Horstick. We became CORELOT in 2014, built our first new home in 2015, and never stopped remodeling. The same Virginia Class A license covers it all to this day.

That's the CORELOT difference: your remodel is designed, priced, and built by the same family of companies that builds new homes. Structural work — additions, garage conversions, basements, sunrooms — is where homeowners get burned by handyman outfits. It's where we're most at home.

We build new homes too — if you're land-shopping instead of remodeling, see CORELOT Homes. Building a deck? Meet Deck Dudes.

LicenseVA Class A #2705128906
Founded2009
BBBA+ · accredited 2015
Insured & Bonded$1M GL · WC · bonded
BuildZoomScore 100 · top 13% in VA

No project too small. No cap on the big ones.

Virginia caps what contractors may legally take on. Since July 2025, a Class C contractor is limited to jobs under $30,000 and a Class B contractor to jobs under $150,000 — only a Class A license has no cap (Va. Code § 54.1-1100). So the same company that fixes your door can build your addition, and you never outgrow us.

We take on: repairs and punch lists · door & window replacement · roof repair and replacement · decks, porches & sunrooms · basement finishes · garage conversions & ADUs · additions and whole-home renovations · structural work.

What happens when you reach out

1. A real builder reviews your request — usually within one business day. No call centers, no pressure.

2. We walk the project with you and give you a straight price — what it costs, what it includes, how long it takes.

3. The crew that quotes it builds it. Same license, same people, from the first visit to the final walkthrough.

Service area Fredericksburg · Spotsylvania · Stafford · King George · Caroline
Straight answers

What Fredericksburg homeowners ask us

Licensing & hiring

Hiring a contractor in Virginia

What's the difference between a Class A, Class B, and Class C contractor in Virginia?

Virginia licenses contractors in three classes by job size. As of July 1, 2025, Class C is limited to jobs under $30,000, Class B to jobs under $150,000, and only a Class A contractor may take contracts of $150,000 or more — with no upper limit.

CORELOT Home Improvement holds a Virginia Class A license (#2705128906), so no project is too large to contract legally — and you never have to switch contractors as your plans grow.

Source: Va. Code § 54.1-1100, as amended effective July 1, 2025.

How do I verify a contractor's license in Virginia?

Ask for the contractor's license number and check it free at the Virginia DPOR License Lookup (dpor.virginia.gov) or call (804) 367-8500. The lookup shows the license class, classifications, expiration, and any disciplinary actions. Never rely on a photocopied license card alone.

Ours is #2705128906 — look us up.

What happens if I hire an unlicensed contractor?

You lose your main safety net. Virginia's Contractor Transaction Recovery Fund can reimburse homeowners up to $30,000 per transaction for losses caused by a licensed contractor's improper conduct — but only if the contractor was licensed. With an unlicensed contractor, you're left to civil court.

Source: Va. Code § 54.1-1123.

What should I ask a remodeling contractor before hiring them?

Five things: their DPOR license number and class; proof of general liability and workers' comp insurance; local references from projects like yours; who will actually be on site; and a written contract with payments tied to completed milestones — never most of the price up front.

Permits

Permits in the Fredericksburg region

Do I need a permit to replace windows or a roof in Virginia?

Usually no. The Virginia building code exempts like-for-like window and door replacement and re-roofing on single-family homes. You do need a permit if the opening size changes or structure is involved — and in Fredericksburg's historic district, exterior changes need Architectural Review Board approval even without a building permit.

Source: Virginia USBC, 13VAC5-63-80.

Do I need a permit to finish my basement?

Yes — every county we serve requires a building permit plus electrical (and plumbing where applicable) permits, with framing, rough-in, insulation, and final inspections. A basement bedroom also needs a code-compliant egress window. Unpermitted finishes cause real problems at resale. We pull every permit and schedule every inspection.

Do I need a permit to build a deck?

Yes for any deck attached to the house, and any deck more than 30 inches above grade — statewide. Footings must reach below the local frost line, and guards and handrails have specific code requirements. Your contractor should pull the permit and meet the inspector, not you.

Do I need a permit to convert my garage into living space?

Yes, always — a conversion changes the use of the space, so it must meet habitable-room requirements: ceiling height, egress, insulation, and conditioned air, plus zoning approval. ADU rules differ across Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Stafford, King George, and Caroline — the right first step is a zoning determination for your parcel, which we handle as part of design.

Costs · 2025–26 data

What projects really cost

How much does it cost to finish a basement in Virginia?

In Virginia, basic finishes run roughly $55–$75 per square foot and mid-range projects with a bathroom $100–$125+ — so a typical 800–1,000 sq ft basement lands between $50,000 and $110,000. Adding a bedroom means an egress window, the most common cost surprise.

2025–26 regional cost data; your written quote is the real number.

How much does a new deck cost?

Pressure-treated wood runs roughly $15–$25 per square foot installed; composite runs $30–$55. A 16×20 deck typically lands around $5,000–$8,000 in wood or $10,000–$17,500 in composite, before railing upgrades or complex framing. Wood is cheaper up front; composite wins on maintenance over 10+ years.

2025–26 industry cost data.

How much does a roof replacement cost in Virginia?

A typical asphalt-shingle replacement on an average Virginia home runs $9,000–$18,000 depending on size, pitch, tear-off, and shingle grade. Get the price per square (100 sq ft) in writing, and confirm tear-off, underlayment, flashing, and disposal are included. Most replacements take 1–2 days.

2025–26 Virginia cost data.

How much does a garage conversion or ADU cost?

A basic garage-to-living-space conversion typically runs $25–$75 per square foot. A full accessory dwelling unit with kitchen and bath is a bigger project: roughly $70,000–$150,000 depending on garage size. Note: most ADU contracts exceed $150,000 or approach it — territory only a Class A contractor can legally contract in Virginia.

2025–26 national cost data; Va. Code § 54.1-1100.

Planning

Renovation decisions

Is it cheaper to renovate or move?

Moving costs roughly 10% of your home's value in commissions, closing, and moving costs before you've improved anything — and trading a low-rate mortgage for a current-rate one often costs far more. If you like your location and plan to stay five-plus years, renovating usually wins financially.

In what order should I renovate my house?

Structure and water first (roof, foundation, drainage), then systems (electrical, plumbing, HVAC), then the envelope (windows, insulation, siding), then interiors (kitchens, baths, floors, paint). Pretty finishes over failing systems is the most expensive mistake in remodeling — a whole-home plan sequences it right.

Cost figures are 2025–26 market data for planning — your written CORELOT quote is the number that counts. Code and license facts current as of July 2025.

Get your estimate.

Tell us about the project. We'll follow up to schedule a walkthrough — usually within one business day.