OUR PROCESS

The very first step in any project is to reach out and book a free consultation with us. Preferably on site, but we understand that this may not always be possible. For us, understanding the client's goals and desired outcomes is key to the success of everything else that follows. During an initial consultation, most of the time is spent listening to the client share their vision for the project, helping them work through possible options, and gaining an understanding of the specific challenges or opportunities that their particular home may present as the project unfolds. 

Depending on the stage of project development and the overall scope of work, a pre-construction agreement may be needed before additional steps can be taken. Pre-construction agreements are used while a client is still developing their plans for a build and finding answers to relevant questions about their possibilities, such as soil quality, zoning issues, and HOA restrictions. In this phase prior to a client deciding to hire a general contractor to construct their home, pre-construction agreements ensure that any testing, initial site work, and services rendered by architects and/or engineers in the preparation of proper blueprints will be retained by the client for future use should they decide to hire a different contractor when the time comes.

For most partial-home renovations, pre-construction agreements are not utilized. 

Once a client feels that a satisfactory plan for their project has been reached, the next step is to discuss pricing details and contract options. We offer more than one form of pricing structure, depending on the extent of the project, the likelihood of possible significant changes to the plan as it progresses, and the client's level of comfort with risk. Some clients want a fixed price contract so that they know exactly what the financial expectations are; other clients prefer to move forward with a more flexible option that allows them to benefit from potential savings in material costs. Both are valid approaches, and we are happy to accommodate our clients' preferences.

We will handle obtaining all the necessary permits for the project. Depending on the scope of work, this preliminary part of getting the project underway can sometimes take up to a few weeks. Once permits are obtained, we can begin with preparing the area for the work ahead and proceeding with any necessary demolition. One of the processes that we have in place that sets us apart from other builders in our area is our attention to detail on this front, especially with renovations. Right from the start, we put in the effort and planning it takes to protect the client's home and the items inside it from construction dust and debris. We put the time in up front, before demo has started, to protect flooring, walls, surfaces, furniture, etc., as well as the general air quality throughout the rest of the house. Demolition is very dusty, and we use a proven system of both zip wall barriers and air scrubbers to contain that dust and prevent it from spreading to other areas of the home.

Selections on finishing details like trim styles, cabinetry, plumbing & electrical fixtures, etc. usually do not need to be made until the project is already underway. Those finishing details are items that most people want to select for themselves, and we like to give our clients as much time as possible to make those selections. We work with local interior designers and suppliers who help our clients narrow down their range of options based on the desired functionality and aesthetic appeal. Most of these selections will take several weeks to arrive after ordering, so this part of the process must be timed & completed with the desired finish date for the project in mind.

Once the project is underway, managing lead times for materials and subcontractors is vital to maintaining an efficient workflow on the jobsite, keeping costs contained, and ensuring that progress remains on track for the desired completion timeline. This is another area in which we set ourselves apart from other contractors. We believe that quality work and efficient project management can only be provided by giving our client's project the attention it deserves. We are not in the habit of running many different jobsites simultaneously, dividing our focus and bouncing around between them. When a client trusts us with their project, we take a hands-on approach to our responsibility as their general contractor; we show up, we make ourselves available on site to handle questions and concerns face to face as often as possible, and we see the project through in a timely manner.