Design-Build Contractor
We are first and foremost a design-build contractor. Our passion is working with a clean slate, from scratch. We typically take on new construction and remodel projects at the design stage and work with our clients to capture the vision of the end result on paper and on screen. We then turnkey the project into reality with many industry leading methods, including a day by day schedule for the entire length of the job. Our innovative tools and processes are employed in everything we do, including our fabrication process for cabinets and countertops. We use constant oversight of every project to ensure quality is at the forefront.
We believe in technology as being a huge asset to this industry, and apply innovative tools and techniques whenever possible. In our experience, we know that technology creates consistent results and allows us to complete projects at the high level of perfection we strive for.
Our subcontractors are vetted and we ensure they meet our quality standards. Our own in-house team is comprised of skilled employees that love to take on complex projects, regardless of size.
We are proud of our quality, efficiency, and safety standards. We love each and every customer we have and go the extra mile to make sure our clients see this through our work.
Our Core Values
If you have worked with other contractors before, you will immediately notice a difference when you begin to work with us. With every project and every client, we ensure that:
- You are treated fairly and with respect;
- You are 100% involved in the project from day one;
- You are comfortable with decisions that are made;
- You receive a daily schedule (via Google Calendar) so that you know exactly what work is performed each day;
- Throughout the project, we provide updates whenever you want them. We always provide weekly updates no matter what, and we typically provide daily updates if you live on-site;
- You are satisfied (hopefully thrilled!) with the end result.
We also believe in transparency, so we’ve put this guide together for you to see exactly how we work on typical projects. This is also a great way to get prepared for your upcoming remodel or project.
Budget
As soon as you get in touch with us, we will schedule an in-person meeting in order to determine the scope of work. We will work within your budget, whatever that may be. It’s important to have a budget at the beginning of the project in order to provide an accurate estimate. If we have an estimated budget, we can come up with a realistic design option. We can work within any reasonable budget, even if it’s small. On the other end, if you have a large budget and grand ideas, we will make it happen. We won’t say no like other contractors. No dream is too big.
During that first meeting, we want to get as much information as possible. The more we know, the better our estimate will be. So if you can start thinking about finishes, layout, and an idea of the design you would like, that is very helpful in providing an accurate estimate. Even hand drawings or photos from Pinterest are a great starting point.
On the flip side, if you have absolutely no idea where to begin, we embrace that. We run into this all the time. It’s really common to not really know where to start. You are likely just looking for suggestions and ideas. We love working this way. It gives us a chance to design with a clean slate and propose ideas. We still need your input, but we don’t mind walking customers through the process.
After we have all of this information put together, particularly a budget, we will spend several hours compiling drawings. This takes several hours of our time, so we charge a small fee of $100 – $300 to put this together for you.
The Estimate
Once we’ve done all the above and have put together the initial rough design, we’ll meet up to review everything. We go over the 2D layout to make sure it’s in line with what you are envisioning. If the rough design pans out, we move onto the next step: presenting the actual estimate. This is the estimate that will be within +/- 5% of the total cost of the job.
You will not receive one large price tag in your estimate. We believe in transparency. We list line items and detail as much of the material and labor cost as possible.
During this meeting, we give suggestions on where to look at materials. Examples include Arizona Tile for countertops and tile, Ben’s Appliances for appliance options, and Shaw Floors or Spencer Flooring for flooring options. For cabinets, we typically supply samples of cabinetry, such as door samples. We even provide a small-scale version of an actual cabinet to show you how we build our cabinets.
If you need time to think over the estimate, that’s never a problem. We will gladly follow up with you to see if you have any questions about the estimate.
The Contract
Once you approve the estimate, then we’re ready to begin.
First, we put together building plans and engineering costs and include these in a contract. Sometimes the contract will be divided into two separate contracts, depending on the job that we’re doing. These two contracts would be split into 1. Building plans and Engineering and 2. Build phase. Again, it depends on the job, and we will discuss all of this with you when we draft the designs and contracts.
Once the contract is signed, we submit plans to the city or county. This process typically takes about one month. During this phase, the city or county reviews the plans and issues a permit for work.
Example of a daily schedule.
Daily Schedule and Buildertrend
While we eagerly anticipate getting the permit issued, we give you a rough start date. We cannot begin work until we have received the permit from the city/county, but we can at least give a rough start time. Once we do have those approved plans in hand, we build a daily job schedule for the work. We put this schedule into Google Calendar and send you a link so that you can easily view it or add it to your own calendar.
We pride ourselves on this calendar, as it keeps us on task and provides you with daily information. We do add “buffer days” in order to catch up in case of delays or bad weather. However, we always do our best to stick to this schedule without modification.
We provide every client with a client portal on Buildertrend, where they can log in and view everything about their project. The portal includes photos, upcoming tasks, the calendar, updates, notes, etc. This program is what everyone on the construction team uses to know exactly what’s going on with the project at any given moment. And it’s important that our clients have this information as well.
Regular Updates
If you are not present on-site during construction, we will provide you with weekly progress updates. However, if you want information at any time, we will gladly give it to you. If you live on-site, we typically will give you updates every day at the very least. We are always very happy to give regular updates at any time. (And of course, you get extra updates using your Buildertrend login.)
During any project, we schedule at least two job walks at critical stages of construction to make sure everything is where it needs to be before moving on to the next phase.
The first job walk includes a layout check at rough-in to make sure we didn’t miss anything. At this point, it’s common for clients to add things on. Some common kitchen remodel add-ons include under cabinet lighting, additional outlets at the backsplash, or upper cabinet lighting. Once all layout, lighting placement, and plumbing placement are confirmed, we begin drywall work and start closing off walls.
The second job walk usually occurs after the cabinet install, which is prior to the countertop install. In a kitchen remodel, we verify all bar overhangs for seating, layout for cabinets, and make sure it all looks good before fabrication of countertop begins.
Changes and Add-Ons
We welcome any and all changes during the course of the project. In fact, we expect it! It’s very common for clients to decide on additions that they had initially discussed at the start but had removed due to budget constraints.
Whenever changes are requested, the only thing we ask is that we know about them as soon as possible. We then create a change order for the work and update our invoice. Depending on the change requestions, we may require payment up front. Again, it depends on the change and the project.
Any changes requested have the potential to add time to the daily schedule for the job. We will let you know if this is the case.
Approximate Job Durations
We get asked this a lot: “How long will my remodel take?” The answer is, it varies. But we have some rough estimates of the duration of typical work that we perform:
Kitchen Remodel: 6 to 8 weeks
Bathroom Remodel: 3 to 6 weeks
Home Additions: 6 to 10 weeks
Small Ground-Up Structure (200 – 1000 sq ft): 8 to 12 weeks
Medium Ground-Up Structure (1000 – 2000 sq ft): 8 to 14 weeks
Large Ground-Up Structure (2000+ sq ft): at least 14 weeks
Your Next Project
Ready to get started on your next project? Have a few questions? Give us a call at (209) 568-6226 or fill out the form below and we’ll get in touch with you shortly.