Cameo Construction in Baltimore: General Contracting for Residential Renovations and Additions

Cameo Construction is a residential general contracting firm serving Baltimore and surrounding counties, specializing in kitchen and bathroom remodels, room additions, and whole-house renovations. The company manages projects from design consultation through final inspection, handling permitting, subcontractor coordination, and code compliance for homeowners undertaking work ranging from $15,000 single-room projects to six-figure additions.

What Cameo Construction actually does

Cameo operates as a full-service general contractor rather than a specialized trade (plumbing, electrical, HVAC). The firm takes on the role of project manager and primary point of contact, meaning homeowners deal with one coordinator instead of scheduling multiple licensed trades themselves. Cameo pulls permits, schedules inspections with Baltimore City or County depending on location, and coordinates the sequence of work so framing happens before electrical rough-in, for example. The company handles both design-build projects (where Cameo collaborates on the plan) and works from homeowner-supplied blueprints. This scope positions it differently from handyman services, which typically handle smaller jobs under $5,000 and avoid permitting, and differently from specialized trades that only install their own systems.

Services and pricing

Cameo's typical project categories and associated ranges are:

Kitchen remodels run $40,000 to $80,000 depending on cabinet quality, countertop material (laminate versus quartz), appliance grade, and whether plumbing or electrical layouts shift. A midrange kitchen keeping existing footprint and adding semi-custom cabinetry, granite counters, and new appliances costs roughly $55,000.

Bathroom remodels span $12,000 to $35,000. A basic update (new fixtures, tile, vanity, no structural changes) runs $15,000 to $20,000. Full gutted remodels with tile showers, heated floors, and custom vanities reach $30,000 plus.

Room additions (bedrooms, bonus rooms, expanded living space) typically cost $120 to $160 per square foot once permits, foundation, framing, HVAC extension, and finish work are included. A 300-square-foot addition costs $36,000 to $48,000 before premium finishes.

Basement finishing for usable living space runs $80 to $120 per square foot, accounting for egress windows (required by Baltimore building code if the space will be a bedroom), waterproofing, and HVAC zoning.

Cameo charges a flat project fee rather than hourly rates for general contracting oversight, which means the cost of managing the job does not fluctuate if unexpected issues arise. Prices quoted above assume standard materials and no major structural surprises; asbestos abatement, foundation repair, or rerouting of major systems will increase costs and timelines. All projects require a signed contract specifying scope, timeline, and payment schedule; typical contracts call for 50 percent down, 40 percent at mid-project, and 10 percent upon completion and permit sign-off.

How Cameo compares to other Baltimore general contractors

Baltimore has numerous general contracting firms operating at different scales and price points. Contractors like Designline and Renovation Design Group position themselves in the high-end market ($100,000-plus projects with architects and designer involvement), making them less practical for straightforward $30,000 to $50,000 jobs. Smaller operations and individual contractors advertising on Angie's List or Facebook Marketplace often skip formal permitting, which exposes homeowners to fines, insurance claim denials if damage occurs, and resale complications when Baltimore City or County inspectors discover unpermitted work.

Cameo's middle positioning means it handles projects substantial enough to require real project management and permitting but does not demand the design fees and extended timelines of boutique renovation firms. For a homeowner doing a single kitchen or bathroom, Cameo is appropriate. For a whole-house gut renovation or new addition, a design-build firm or architect collaboration may be worth the higher cost for integrated planning. For a cabinet swap or fixture replacement, a handyman or direct contractor (electrician, plumber) is faster and cheaper.

Who Cameo suits and who it does not

Cameo is a fit for Baltimore homeowners doing their first major renovation, those without existing relationships with reliable trades, and anyone needing the legal and structural rigor of permitted work. Homeowners in row houses (common in Baltimore) particularly benefit from having a single coordinator manage wall removal, structural headers, and party-wall considerations across permitting. Owners planning to stay in the home or sell within five years should prioritize permitted work; Cameo ensures this happens.

Cameo is not the right choice for cosmetic-only work (paint, hardware, fixtures without structural change), for which a handyman is more cost-effective. It is also not suited for homeowners with a tight budget but unwilling to accept the timeline permitting adds (typically 4 to 8 weeks before construction starts, depending on Baltimore City's current backlog). Projects requiring specialized trades outside general contracting scope (electrical panel upgrades, HVAC design, plumbing code rework) should be scoped carefully; Cameo subcontracts these, so confirm that licensed specialists hold the right certifications for Baltimore.

What the first visit involves

An initial consultation includes a walkthrough of the space, discussion of what the homeowner wants to achieve, and a rough budget range. Cameo typically does not charge for this first meeting. If the project moves forward, Cameo conducts a detailed site survey, takes measurements, and reviews existing plans if available. The firm then prepares a written estimate specifying scope, timeline, materials (or material allowances), and contingency for unknowns. This proposal is non-binding; homeowners can review it with other contractors or a home inspector before deciding. Once signed, a project schedule is created and permit applications filed. Timelines for renovations typically run 6 to 12 weeks depending on scope; additions take longer due to foundation and framing phases.

Hours, location, and logistics

Cameo operates Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for office consultations; job site work can extend into early evenings depending on season and crew availability. The company serves Baltimore City and Baltimore, Howard, and Anne Arundel Counties; projects outside this area are considered case-by-case. Parking at consultation is available at the office location; confirm the address when scheduling, as it is not displayed broadly online to avoid unsolicited traffic.

Cameo Construction earns its place in a Baltimore home-services guide because it bridges the gap between DIY and high-end design firms, handling the permitting and coordination that individual homeowners struggle with while keeping costs realistic for mid-range renovations common in Baltimore's aging housing stock.