Barbour & Short Construction Co in Oklahoma City: General Contractor for Residential Remodeling and Additions
Barbour & Short Construction Co is a residential general contractor in Oklahoma City specializing in room additions, kitchen and bathroom remodels, and structural repairs. The firm operates as a full-service builder, meaning it handles permitting, design coordination, and subcontractor management in-house rather than referring clients elsewhere at each phase. The company has held a contractor's license in Oklahoma for decades and serves primarily the central Oklahoma City metropolitan area, from Edmond south to Norman.
What the company actually does
Barbour & Short manages projects ranging from $15,000 bathroom updates to six-figure whole-home additions. The firm pulls permits with Oklahoma City building inspectors and coordinates with the city's development review process, which typically adds 4 to 6 weeks to project timelines for residential work. Most jobs involve either kitchen or bathroom renovation (the most common requests), room additions that require foundation and framing work, or structural repairs following storm or water damage. The company also handles smaller jobs including deck construction, interior wall relocation, and window replacement, though these are less common than major remodels.
Services and typical pricing
A bathroom remodel at Barbour & Short typically ranges from $15,000 to $35,000 depending on fixture choices, tile selection, and whether plumbing or electrical rough-in changes are needed. Kitchen remodels run $25,000 to $80,000 based on cabinet style (stock versus semi-custom), countertop material, and appliance selection. Room additions start around $40,000 for a simple 150-square-foot bedroom or den and can exceed $100,000 for larger, multi-window additions with high-end finishes. The firm charges labor at a fixed markup over material cost rather than an hourly rate; estimates specify the contractor's margin upfront so clients understand the cost structure before work begins. All estimates include a timeline with major milestones and a contingency line item (typically 5 to 10 percent) for unforeseen conditions discovered during demolition. Clients should confirm current pricing directly, as material costs for lumber, drywall, and fixtures fluctuate quarterly.
How Barbour & Short compares to other Oklahoma City general contractors
Oklahoma City has dozens of licensed general contractors, but most operate at different scales. Larger firms like Mabry Construction focus on new residential development and commercial projects, making them poor matches for a homeowner's $30,000 kitchen remodel. Smaller operations and solo contractor-carpenters can undercut Barbour & Short's pricing by 15 to 25 percent but often do not pull permits or coordinate inspections, leaving the homeowner liable for code violations. Mid-size firms such as those affiliated with the Home Builders Association of Oklahoma City typically operate in the same price range as Barbour & Short. The key difference is scope: Barbour & Short's willingness to manage the full permit cycle and structural work makes it better suited to projects requiring engineering sign-offs (like room additions bearing new loads), while a contractor who specializes only in cosmetic updates or does not pull permits may be cheaper for jobs that avoid the inspection process entirely.
Who this contractor suits and who it does not
Barbour & Short works best for homeowners planning a significant remodel or addition and who want permitting and inspections handled by the builder rather than becoming the homeowner's responsibility. It is also appropriate for clients whose projects may uncover hidden structural or electrical issues during demolition; the firm's in-house coordination means those surprises do not stall work waiting for a subcontractor callback. The company does not suit budget-conscious homeowners seeking cosmetic updates only (paint, hardware, fixture swaps) or those looking to avoid the permit process entirely. It is also not the right choice if you need a quick turnaround on a small project; the firm's focus on permitted, inspected work means timelines are governed by city review cycles, not builder speed.
What the first consultation and estimate process involves
An initial consultation includes a site visit where a Barbour & Short estimator photographs existing conditions, measures the space, and discusses the homeowner's goals. The firm then prepares a written estimate that specifies materials by brand and grade, labor phases, the contractor's fee, a contingency allowance, and a start and completion date. This typically takes 1 to 2 weeks. Once the estimate is accepted and a contract signed, the firm files for permits. For kitchen and bathroom remodels, permits are usually issued within 3 to 4 weeks. For additions, engineering review can extend that to 6 to 8 weeks. Work does not begin until permits are in hand and a pre-construction meeting establishes site logistics (parking, material delivery, trash removal). The homeowner should expect weekly check-ins and scheduled inspections at key phases: foundation, framing, electrical rough-in, plumbing rough-in, and final.
Hours, contact, and logistics
Barbour & Short operates standard Monday through Friday business hours. Project work typically runs 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. with Friday afternoon used for cleanup. Parking and material staging are arranged during the pre-construction meeting and depend on the site; homeowners with limited driveway space should discuss this with the firm early, as tight sites can slow work and increase cost. The company serves Oklahoma City proper and surrounding areas within a 20-mile radius; projects beyond that boundary may incur a travel charge.
Barbour & Short's long tenure in Oklahoma City and willingness to navigate the full permit and inspection cycle set it apart from one-off contractors and make it a reliable choice for homeowners who want permitted, code-compliant work and a builder accountable to inspectors and the homeowner alike.
