Locher Design Build in Baltimore: Custom Residential Remodeling with In-House Project Management

Locher Design Build is a residential design-build firm operating in the Baltimore area that handles full-scope kitchen, bathroom, and whole-home renovations from design through construction. The company manages both the architectural planning and the actual build work in-house, which means one firm controls the timeline and quality at each stage rather than coordinating separate designers and contractors. This model works well for homeowners who want a single point of contact and a fixed budget, but it also narrows the scope to projects Locher is equipped to handle themselves.

What Locher Design Build actually does

Design-build contracting differs from traditional general contracting because the firm designs the space, prices the work, and executes it all under one roof. Locher handles kitchen remodels, bathroom renovations, basement finishes, additions, and whole-home updates. The firm typically works on homes across Baltimore County and the city proper, and the owner works directly with clients rather than through sales consultants, which changes the sales and communication rhythm compared to larger firms.

The design-build model reduces the back-and-forth that happens when a homeowner hires a designer, gets a plan, and then sends it to three contractors for bids. Instead, Locher's designers learn what the client wants, explore options in real time, and immediately know what those options cost because they are building them. That speed and clarity appeal to homeowners who find the separate-designer-and-contractor route confusing or slow.

Services and pricing structure

Locher works on a project basis rather than hourly. Kitchen renovations typically range from $50,000 to $150,000 depending on the scope—a mid-range update with new cabinets, countertops, and appliances lands around $75,000, while a high-end overhaul with custom cabinetry and premium finishes costs considerably more. Bathroom remodels start around $25,000 for a modest update and can exceed $75,000 for a spa-style primary bath with custom tile and heated floors. Whole-home renovations and additions vary widely and require a consultation to estimate.

The firm includes design, permit coordination, and project management in its pricing. Most clients meet with the designer multiple times before construction starts, which allows for material and finish selections to be nailed down upfront. The goal is a fixed price at contract signing, though change orders are common if a homeowner wants to upgrade finishes or the crew uncovers unexpected issues (water damage, structural problems) once demolition begins. Locher asks for a deposit to start work, typically 50 percent, with the balance due upon completion.

Verify current pricing directly with the firm, as project costs fluctuate with material availability and labor.

How Locher compares to other Baltimore-area general contractors

Larger firms like Cornerstone General Contracting and Chesapeake Home Solutions operate similarly but handle bigger commercial and multi-unit residential projects, which can mean longer lead times and less direct owner involvement for a single-family kitchen remodel. Both firms are licensed and insured in Maryland and operate at roughly the same price point for residential work, though they may push homeowners toward their preferred subcontractors rather than giving design options upfront.

Smaller independent contractors throughout Baltimore often cost less on labor but require homeowners to hire a separate designer and manage the coordination themselves. A homeowner shopping for a $60,000 kitchen could save 10 to 15 percent on labor by hiring a low-bid GC and an affordable designer separately, but risks delays if the contractor and designer do not communicate clearly.

Locher's advantage is speed and continuity. Its disadvantage is less negotiating power if you want to lock in a rock-bottom price or work with a specific subcontractor the firm does not usually partner with.

Who Locher suits and who it does not

This firm is right for Baltimore homeowners who want a straightforward design-and-build process, value one point of contact, and can afford mid-to-upper-range pricing. It suits people managing a busy life who do not want to coordinate multiple vendors, and homeowners in older Baltimore row homes and Victorians where design choices matter as much as execution.

Locher is less suitable if you are looking for the absolute lowest price, want to hire your own subcontractors, or prefer working with a large firm's established design showroom. It is also not the fit if your project is primarily structural or commercial.

The first visit and timeline

Initial consultations are typically in-person at the client's home. The designer walks through the space, discusses goals and budget, and takes measurements. Locher then produces preliminary design options and pricing within one to two weeks. If the homeowner wants to move forward, the designer refines the plan and selects finishes over two to four weeks before a contract is signed and construction begins. A kitchen remodel usually takes eight to twelve weeks from start to completion, depending on complexity and whether unexpected structural work arises.

Hours, location, and logistics

Locher operates Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with job sites typically running during standard daytime hours. The firm does not maintain a public showroom, so all meetings happen at the client's home or by appointment at their office. Parking and site logistics are managed project-by-project; on-street parking in Baltimore's older neighborhoods can be tight, so Locher arranges access during the initial consultation.

Verify hours and appointment availability by calling directly, as design firms sometimes adjust schedules seasonally or for large active projects.

Locher Design Build fills a middle tier of Baltimore's renovation market: more personal and faster than big firms, more structured and design-focused than independent GCs. For homeowners tired of managing separate trades, it offers a realistic path to completion.