What is Design/Build?
Design Build is a one-stop approach to home improvement. Our clients hire us to manage their projects from design to finish, from conceptual ideas to working plans, through production management and project completion.
An exterior home renovation (Siding, Windows, Doors, Skylights) can increase the overall value of your home, lower your energy costs, and even help you lower your insurance rates (be sure to ask your local agent).
As time passes, our home’s exterior can become worn and outdated. Vinyl siding can fade and wear, windows and doors become hard to open and less energy efficient, and decks can weather and age. You want a warm, happy, and safe space where you can live your best life. Almar can help.
1. Meeting with the contractor
After you contact us, we'll set up a time to meet and discuss your ideas for your project. During this conversation, you'll share your home dreams and why you want to remodel. For example, do you want to explore your gourmet chef side with a state-of-the-art kitchen? Maybe you want more light in the living room? Perhaps you're tired of sharing a bathroom with your teenager or spouse?
At this point, we'll have a chance to discuss your budget. We will give you a preliminary cost estimate based on our understanding of what you want to accomplish. If the estimate and your budget don't line up, we should keep talking to find ways to meet your needs within your budget. Each project has many choices, and we can play with all those options until we find a mixture that works most cost-effectively and efficiently.
When your dream and budget are in the same ballpark, it's time to "hammer" out the details.
Craig and Allison Guido, whatever you call yourselves - partners? Meet the Almar Team »
2. "Hammering" out the details
Once you decide to proceed with your project, we will create a design agreement where you will start making all the exciting but sometimes challenging decisions.
Before meeting with our team, you should prepare the paperwork we'll require for your project. This paperwork includes a plot plan. We prefer a certified plot plan, but we will take a mortgage plan to start with. We'll also need a copy of the septic plan (if applicable) with sprinkler locations, drywells, or other underground utilities.)
Additional resources: Why do I need a plot plan? »
A plot plan is required to get your building permit. If you don't t have a certified plot plan, you may need to obtain one.
3. Design presentation
We'll meet to discuss in more detail what you want your project to include. How do you use your space now and envision it in the future? And we will take measurements of the existing house.
The designer works on your design and may call you occasionally to seek clarification. While your design is being drafted, you'll start making product selections (fixtures, cabinets, flooring, etc.)
To stay within budget, you might have to choose between hardwood flooring or skylights, and it's best to make that choice before your floor is torn up or there's a hole in the roof. Unfortunately, you may have to make these types of decisions before your project gets underway.
Please Note: If your design concept or the cost of materials have changed from the initial meeting, the estimate range will reflect these changes, and a change order will need to be created and approved.
4. Design package review
Next, the designer will review the design with you. We typically project the design onto a large screen and walk through/discuss your likes and dislikes. This review process gives you an idea of what your renovation will look like when completed. We will also provide an estimated budget for where we stand at this point.
The nice thing about this process is that we'll all have a chance to review potential problems and come up with creative solutions. We may need to refine details and make minor tweaks, such as window sizes or roof angles until we have a design that works for you.
Now is the time to tell us what you like or don't like about the design. If something makes you uncomfortable, you should mention it during this meeting. We're all professionals, and we're used to getting feedback. After all, this is your home and your big investment. So it's best to be open and honest at this stage, where we can easily make changes.
5. Starting your project
Once our office receives your signed contract and deposit, they will put together your job folder and start the office process for getting your job started.
Scheduling the start of your job will depend on
- The Building Department,
- Our current schedule before receiving your contract
- Our Trade Partner's schedule
- The delivery of your selections
The team will update you about project status while you are waiting for us to start and during the entire construction phase. If you have questions or concerns, feel free to contact the office; they will help you in any way they can.
Making selections early is key to avoiding delays!
Additional resources: How utilizing our online project portal improves your project »
6. During construction
Having your home under construction can be stressful, and the shorter construction lasts, the happier you'll be. Unanticipated problems are the number one cause of delays, and Design-Build is nothing more than an extended series of anticipations of problems. The more discussions and selections we make before your kitchen is torn up, the sooner your project will be completed, and the sooner you'll be able to enjoy your renovation!
We work hard to eliminate as many surprises as possible because surprises not only throw off the schedule they can bust the budget. Once you start, you can have confidence that you have anticipated all the funding needed.
We want clients for life and work daily to achieve that goal.
Our goal is to keep YOU happy! 90% of our business comes from referrals and repeat clients, and we work hard to keep it that way.
Ready to create your dream home?
Reach out today to begin your renovation journey.