One of the most common complaints we hear from people who want to remodel or renovate their home is that they just don’t have time for a project of this scale. We know that this isn’t just an excuse. Home remodeling is a complex undertaking and there are a lot of “moving parts” to keep track of.
It’s not just the physical building part that concerns homeowners either. Savvy homeowners know that without proper planning they are not going to get the result that they want. Great results don’t just happen—they come from great design. But not every homeowner has the time, the skill, or the inclination to create the kind of design that will give them the renovation results they want. And not every homeowner wants to deal with the myriad details involved in keeping a home remodeling project on track.
If that describes your situation, you may want to look for a remodeler that offers an integrated design/build approach. That means they care of every detail of your home renovation project, from the initial design plans, through the coordination of all the subcontractors and tradesmen it takes to do the job right.
So what does it look like to use a contractor who offers an “end-to-end” build and design service? Here’s a brief overview of the seven-step process we use.
1. Consultation. We meet with you at your home and ask a lot of specific questions to find out what your renovation goals and desires are.
2. Design and Concept Development. If you decide to move ahead with us, you’ll sign a design agreement and we’ll meet again. Our designer will take photographs, measure the work area and begin to create detailed conceptual drawings. Once you’re happy with the concept, we perform a discovery process intended to uncover any “surprises” that could cause additional costs (such as updating electrical or plumbing work).
3. Selection and Specification. The designer walks you through the process of selecting the materials that you want to use to turn the concept into reality. If you can’t (or don’t want to) do this in person, your designer can provide your with multiple options via the Internet.
4. Design Development, Scope, Budgets. We present you with a budget reflecting your design plan and the materials you’ve selected. This means you’ll have an all-inclusive plan and budget—and we’re responsible for keeping to that budget. You’ll understand exactly what you’re getting and what it will cost.
5. Construction Agreement. After your final approval of the design, the scope of work, and the budget, you sign a construction agreement and pay a retainer to hold the date. We’ll schedule the project and let you know what needs to be done to prepare the space for construction.
6. Construction. At a pre-construction conference you’ll meet your project manager (who will be onsite every day). We’ll also arrange weekly meetings at your convenience to facilitate communication and provide updates.
7. Punch List and Warranty. As the project nears completion you and your project manager will do a walk-through of all the physical changes to your home and note any details that need attention. After we remove the dumpster from your property we will visit periodically to check on warranty issues.