Exis General Contracting in Baltimore: Kitchen and Bathroom Renovation Specialist
Exis General Contracting is a residential renovation firm operating in the Baltimore area that focuses on kitchen and bathroom projects, typically ranging from $15,000 to $80,000 depending on scope and material selections. The company handles design consultation, permitting, and full construction, working primarily with homeowners in single-family houses and townhouses across Baltimore County and the city proper.
What Exis General Contracting actually is
Exis operates as a full-service general contractor rather than a subcontractor-only model, meaning the company pulls permits directly, manages inspections, and coordinates subs in-house rather than passing that burden to the client. The firm specializes in kitchens and bathrooms because those projects require coordinated work across plumbing, electrical, carpentry, and finish trades. Most projects take 6 to 10 weeks from contract to completion, depending on whether structural changes or custom cabinetry delays the timeline. The company carries Maryland general contractor licensing and maintains liability insurance required for permitted renovation work in Baltimore.
Services and pricing
Kitchen renovations start around $15,000 for cabinet refacing with new countertops and hardware, and reach $50,000 to $80,000 when layouts change, plumbing relocates, or high-end materials like custom cabinetry and natural stone are specified. Bathroom work typically ranges from $8,000 for fixture replacement and cosmetic updates to $35,000 for full gut renovations with tile work, relocated plumbing, and new shower enclosures. The company charges a flat project fee rather than hourly labor rates, which means the homeowner knows the total cost before work begins. Permits and inspections are included in quoted prices. A design consultation costs $300 to $500 and is credited toward the project if the client moves forward; this step prevents scope creep and ensures accurate estimates.
Material choices within that budget are the homeowner's decision, and Exis sources materials through Baltimore-area suppliers including granite and tile showrooms in Canton and Fells Point rather than forcing clients into specific product lines. Lead time for custom cabinetry can extend a project by 4 to 6 weeks if not planned into the schedule.
How Exis compares to other Baltimore-area general contractors
Larger firms like Pappas Construction and Chesapeake Contracting operate across multiple trades and project types, making kitchens and baths one category among many; they typically handle bigger commercial or multi-unit residential work and may quote longer lead times for smaller residential jobs. Exis's specialization means deeper familiarity with the permit and inspection sequence specific to kitchens and baths in Baltimore, and faster turnaround on estimates since the firm is not juggling commercial schedules.
Smaller contractors and handymen in Baltimore often handle kitchen and bath work but lack general contractor licensing, which means the homeowner must pull permits themselves and coordinate trades directly. That saves money upfront but shifts risk and complexity to the homeowner. Exis's licensing protects the homeowner because permit and inspection failures fall on the contractor, not the client.
Independent bathroom specialists like Baths by Barr operate in similar scope but focus almost exclusively on bathrooms; Exis's dual kitchen-bathroom focus allows bundled pricing if a homeowner wants both rooms renovated in one project.
Who it suits and who it does not suit
Exis suits homeowners who want a single point of contact and guaranteed licensing and permits, especially those renovating kitchens or bathrooms in older Baltimore rowhouses where code compliance and plumbing/electrical coordination are complex. The company also fits households ready to invest in 6 to 10 weeks of construction disruption and capable of making design decisions upfront.
Exis does not suit homeowners seeking cosmetic-only updates like paint or hardware swaps, or those needing emergency plumbing repair. The firm also is not the choice if budget is under $8,000, as the overhead of licensing and inspection eats into margins on very small jobs.
What the first visit involves
An initial consultation includes a site visit, discussion of goals, timeline, and budget, and photography of the existing space. The designer or project manager will walk through code requirements (ventilation for kitchens, slip-resistant tile for bathrooms, electrical outlet placement), estimate structural or plumbing changes, and discuss material options. Within one week, Exis provides a written estimate with line items for labor, materials, permits, and inspections. If the homeowner approves, a contract is signed, permit drawings are prepared, and construction is scheduled.
Hours, parking, and logistics
Exis operates Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for consultations and administrative work; construction crews typically work 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on project days to minimize evening noise disruption for Baltimore row neighbors. Contact the office directly to confirm availability for weekend or evening consultations. Parking at the Exis office is not a factor; consultations often occur at the homeowner's house, and material selections can be done at supplier showrooms or via selections approved digitally.
Exis General Contracting has earned consistent referral business in Baltimore by handling the regulatory and coordination burden that makes kitchen and bathroom work harder than simple repairs, allowing homeowners to avoid learning permit requirements or managing multiple contractors.
