Our Process

  • Project Inquiry

    You have a project you’ve been thinking about. Tell us all about it!

    We want to get to know you; your lifestyle, your family, your project aspirations. We’ll have a candid conversation about what’s important to you, and what you can expect from us. We’ll discuss your project from a 30,000ft view, exploring the scope of work, your budget, and your timeline.

    Scope of Work. What is the extent of the project? Answers like “a master suite addition”, “a first floor remodel”, or “a new custom home”.

    Budget. What are you prepared to invest in the project? There are thousands of small decisions during a project that all affect price. Proposing a budget for your project allows us to tailor our advice and recommendations to your specific needs. It also lets us know that you have a realistic relationship between your project goals and budget expectations.

    Timeline. When are you hoping to start? Do you have any events to work around? Does our availability line up with your timeline?

    Good fit. The most important feature of a successful project is a good fit between the builder and client. Projects can last weeks to many months. Having a shared set of values, and being able to comfortably disuss project details and issues is vital to a project’s success.

    If we check all of the boxes, we’ll move on to a PreConstruction Agreement.

    PreConstruction

    Design. Budgeting. Estimation. Soil borings. Perc Tests. Exploratory demolition. Subcontractor site meetings. Mock ups. Material sourcing. Trim details. Cabinet drawings. Engineering. Construction Documentation. Scheduling. Contracts. All in PreConstruction.

    PreConstruction is a paid, professional service. The price is based on project complexity and time invested. To start the process, we talk through and sign our PreConstruction Services Agreement, answer any preliminary questions you may have, and take a deposit to start work.

    Why PreConstruction? Successful projects are a product of thorough planning and collaboration. Assembling the team of architect, designers, builder, trade partners, and vendors to build the project on paper allows for better project timelines, minimizes cost overruns, and gives the team the information needed to efficiently overcome hurdles during the construction process.

    By separating PreConstruction from the Construction process - we give adequate space to evaluate all of the building systems, materials, and design choices against the clients' goals, budget, and timeline. This minimizes choice-making during the construction process, and aligns the team around a fully defined goal.

    We offer limited in-house design services on a project-fit basis. We partner with design professionals such as architects, interior designers, and landscape designers to suit each individual project.

    Phases of PreConstruction:

    1. OnBoarding - Gathering additional details about your goals, budget, timeline. Learning the details of what is important to you. Gathering As-Built dimensions from existing structures. Zoning and feasibility.

    2. Schematic Design - The Designer will present several directions for the project. This is an iterative process, the goal of which is to balance all of the projects goals with the budget. Once a direction is chosen, we will perform the first cost study to ensure the design fits the budget.

    3. Design Development - Plans are prepared for permitting. Design details, engineering consultations, working with the city or county.

    4. Construction Documents - Plans are brought up to their final level of detail. Assembly details are finalized. Difficult transitions are drawn in detail. Cabinet drawings. Landscape design. Material selections. Lighting design.

    Deliverables. At the end of PreConstruction, the clients will own the documents we produce.

    • Scope of Work - a detailed, narrative account of the work proposed.

    • Plans Set - Plans and drawings we produce for the proposed work.

    • Project Budget - a working budget separated into cost categories with noted contingencies and categories for builder's profit.

    • Project Timeline - a estimated linear timeline for the project.

    • Project Proposal - a price for us to perform the project.

    Construction

    After completing our PreConstruction process, we will sign contracts, take a deposit, and move into the Construction phase of your project.

    Communication and Project Management.

    Colton leads our projects through all stages of the process. Utilizing his hands-on experience as a frame-to-finish carpenter, as well as his knowledge of modern building science, he provides clients with reasoned and candid guidance.

    Our business model brings real advantages in communication and project management. The person that you meet during the first site visit is the same person that will guide your project all the way through to the finish line. This means there are no handoffs from sales to project management to site superintendent to trade partners.  This model fosters a real relationship between builder and client, true project stewardship, and a clear project vision that stays intact through to finishing touches.

    Our project management software keeps our projects organized and our clients informed about all aspects of their project. A dedicated project website houses routinely updated project financials, schedule, site photos, contracts and change orders, selections, meeting notes, etc. One place to look - and if you can't locate what you're looking for - one person to call.

    On Site

    Partners and Oversight. We partner with excellent tradespeople to design, refine, estimate, and perform certain aspects of each project. We hold our trade partners to clearly defined quality standards and scopes of work in each subcontractor agreement. Detailed drawings created during PreConstruction ensure aligned expectations over key details. Routine site inspections ensure that our high quality standards are being met, and allow any of our trade partners to seek clarification on a daily basis.

    Separation. Home remodeling is a dusty, dirty, business. We take site protection and separation very seriously. We use multiple HEPA filtration air scrubbers in a negative-pressure configuration, durable plastic walls with self-sealing doorways, and multi-layered floor protection to ensure a durable barrier is maintained between your home and the construction site.

    Safety. We implement strict safety measures to ensure a safe working environment for all on site. We take a proactive approach with all of our trade partners, discussing how their tasks are to be executed in as safe and efficient a manner as possible. Ours and our trade partners' insurance policies are maintained to protect ourselves and our clients from the unforeseen.

    Craftsmanship. Excellent finish work is a product of not only precision and care during install, but of thorough planning and intentionality in every preceding stage of the process. We routinely self-perform all aspects of finish carpentry on our projects. Architectural mouldings and millwork, ceiling trays and paneling, wainscoting, stairways, railings, mantles, bookcases, hidden doorways, built ins, and cabinetry. These details are what set great builders apart from the rest.