Dechiaro Properties in Baltimore: General Contractor for Residential Renovations and Additions
Dechiaro Properties is a licensed general contractor serving Baltimore homeowners with residential renovation, addition, and remodeling work, operating as a single-firm operation rather than a large crew-based company. The business handles projects from kitchen and bathroom updates to full-house additions and structural work, taking on jobs across Baltimore's neighborhoods from Federal Hill to Canton to Hampden.
What Dechiaro Properties actually does
Dechiaro Properties manages the general contracting side of residential construction: estimating, permitting, scheduling trades, and overseeing the work from start to finish. The company pulls permits through the city, coordinates with electricians and plumbers, and handles the daily decision-making that keeps a project on track. The owner maintains direct client contact throughout, rather than handing off to a project manager once work begins. Work includes framing, drywall, finished carpentry, kitchen and bath design consultation, roofing coordination, and foundation repairs. The company does not perform all trades in-house; it subcontracts specialized work like electrical and plumbing while handling coordination and general construction.
Services and pricing
Dechiaro Properties charges differently depending on project type. Small to mid-range renovations (kitchen updates, bathroom remodels, single-room additions) typically run $30,000 to $100,000. Larger additions or full-house renovations can exceed $150,000. The company quotes per project after a site visit and does not publish hourly rates for general contracting; instead, bids account for materials, labor, permits, and the owner's time. Permits in Baltimore cost $100 to $500 depending on scope; the contractor includes these in the estimate. A typical kitchen renovation takes 6 to 10 weeks once work begins; structural additions take 3 to 4 months. The owner requests 50 percent down at signing, with payments tied to project milestones (framing complete, rough trades done, finish work begun). This is standard across most Baltimore general contractors but varies by firm.
How Dechiaro compares to other Baltimore general contractors
Baltimore's general contracting market includes both small owner-operated firms like Dechiaro Properties and larger companies with crews of 10 or more. Dechiaro's advantage lies in owner involvement and flexibility on smaller to mid-sized jobs (under $100,000), which means fewer layers of markup and faster decision-making on site changes. A larger firm like Chesapeake Contracting or Cornerstone Builders brings standardized project management and faster timelines on multiple concurrent jobs but typically targets projects over $150,000 and charges accordingly. For homeowners with strict budgets or homes in older Baltimore neighborhoods (like Canton or Fells Point) where surprises are common, the direct-owner model works better because the contractor can adjust scope on the fly. For a new construction addition or a developer-scale project, larger contractors offer proven systems and insurance portfolios that smaller firms cannot match.
Who Dechiaro suits and who it does not
This contractor is strongest for Baltimore homeowners tackling a significant but not massive project: a kitchen remodel, a bathroom addition, a master suite expansion, or a basement finish in a rowhouse or detached home. The owner-operator approach suits people who prefer fewer middlemen and want to talk directly to the person making decisions. It does not suit investors doing multiple units at once or homeowners who need the project finished in 8 weeks or less; owner-operated shops move slower when scaling. It also does not suit people seeking a designer-builder package that includes architectural drawings; Dechiaro takes designs from your architect or designer and executes them.
What the first visit involves
Contact the company through phone or email (verify current contact info before reaching out). The owner visits the home, walks through the space, discusses scope, timeline, and budget, then provides a written estimate within a week. He will ask about your contractor history with the city, whether permits have been pulled for prior work, and whether you have an architect's plans or need recommendations for one. Bring a budget range to this meeting; it helps the estimate land in the right ballpark. If you proceed, the contract specifies the scope, timeline, materials, and payment schedule. Dechiaro handles the city permit application; homeowners are responsible for any architectural or engineering drawings if needed.
Hours, location, and logistics
Dechiaro Properties operates out of Baltimore but does not maintain a walk-in showroom or office; all contact and meetings happen by appointment at your home. The company works standard construction hours, typically 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays on job sites. Confirm availability and scheduling when you call; active projects dictate when new jobs can start. Parking during work is the homeowner's responsibility; the crew parks on street or driveway as site conditions allow.
For a Baltimore homeowner with an older home and a realistic budget between $40,000 and $100,000, Dechiaro Properties delivers what most owner-operated contractors do: direct access to the decision-maker, fair pricing without developer overhead, and the flexibility that older homes demand.
