GATHER IDEAS & CREATE YOUR WISH LIST
Your ideas and wish list are the starting point for a successful remodeling project. To find inspiration and ideas you'd like to have us incorporate into your project, we highly recommend the use of Houzz.com, a collaborative tool you can use to both find and share ideas. To learn more about using Houzz and how to get started, you can visit our page "How to Houzz"
After you've completed or got a good start on the Pre-Planning Phase you're ready for the next step.
LET'S GET ACQUAINTED
Most of our projects begin with a short phone conversation to determine if we are a good fit for the type of work you are looking to have done. This initial call will take 10-20 minutes. Items we will discuss during our first phone call:
● Where your home is located
● Overview of the project you are considering
● What stage of the process you are in
● Your approximate budget
● Your time frame for completing the project
At the end of our conversation together we will determine if it makes sense to set up an appointment for the discovery meeting. If it doesn’t seem like we are the right fit for your project, we will try to refer you to another qualified contractor that can serve you better.
IN HOME CONSULTATION
Once we've determined that our company is a good fit for your project, we'll arrange to meet with you in your home to begin the process of creating a detailed design and proposal. We encourage that anyone wanting to provide input into the project be present during this meeting.
At the time we schedule this meeting we will also provide you with the email address you will use to share your Houzz Ideabook. Having insight into the the ideas you have for your project in advance of our meeting will allow us to better prepare for our meeting and make the best use of our time together.
During our in home consultation we will take the time to better know you, your lifestyle, how you use the space, and why you want to remodel. Once we have a good understanding of what it is you want to do and why, we'll take measurements of the space from which we can create a detailed plan.
TURNING IDEAS INTO VISIONS
Based on our discussions and what we learned during our in home consultation, we'll create an initial design and a preliminary cost estimate based on that design. After this work has been completed we will contact you to schedule a design review. This is an exciting step because you will see for the first time your ideas along with our know how come to life in photo-realistic renderings.
Whether you love the initial design and wouldn't change a thing, or find that there are improvements that need to be made to make it the design of your dreams - we'll work with you to modify the design until it's perfect for you. During this meeting we'll be able to do a virtual walk-thru of your project and view what it will look like from various angles using our 3D model .
During the design review we will also be discussing the preliminary cost estimate and take into account how the plan may need to be modified to get us into budget, or what things you may want to add if there is still room left within your investment comfort zone. Most often we can make these design changes in real-time during our meeting.
REFINING THE COST ESTIMATE
At this stage of your project we should have a plan that you're excited about and ready to move forward with. Now it's time to develop an accurate cost estimate that takes into account your final product and material selections. This step will require us to meet with you at several area suppliers to pick out items such as cabinets, counter tops, tile, plumbing fixtures, etc.
Additionally, we will need to tighten up the cost estimates for any of the sub-contractors needed to complete your project. This most often includes electrical and plumbing work, but may include others depending on the specifc requirements of your project. This will require a brief 30 minute meeting at your home at which time we will review the details of the plan with sub-contractors, and they will explore the areas of your home as needed so they can provide an accurate bid for the work to be performed.
CONTINUANCE AGREEMENT
By this point in the project we've invested a considerable amount of time and performed a great deal of work at no cost to you in the interest of earning your business and showing you what we can do. Refining the preliminary cost estimate into a final bid needed to create a construction agreement requires a considerable amount of time and effort on both our part and yours. For this reason we ask that you enter into a continuance agreement with us. This will require a deposit equal to 15% of the preliminary budget, all of which will be applied to your project and reduce the final project cost by that amount.
REFERNECES
Before moving forward with the continuance agreement you will need to be sure we're the right company for you. At this time we'll provide you with a copy of a sample construction agreement and a number of references of client's we've done similar work for. If you are interested in visiting the homes where we've recently completed projects we will make arrangements for us to meet together to take a tour.
PRODUCT SELECTIONS
Now that you have essentially approved the overall design/layout of your project, at this point in the process we will start selecting all of the fine details and finishes your project will need. These include things like cabinets, countertops, flooring, plumbing fixtures, tile, paint colors, etc. Your designer will create a list of the items that need to be selected and in most cases join you in any visits to area suppliers to pick out items. Additionally, your designer will be providing you with pricing for the different options you are considering and update your preliminary cost estimate so you can keep track of how your selections affect your final total project cost.
CONSTRUCTION AGREEMENT
All of your decisions should be made before we enter into a final construction agreement and work begins. While some decisions can be postponed and the cost(s) for these items can be priced in the agreement as "allowances", we highly recommend that this option be avoided if at all possible as it will reduce the chance of cost over runs and make the construction process go much smoother in the long run.
After all of your product and material selections have been made we will put together a final project cost estimate including all of our labor costs and those of the sub-contractors that met with us at your home. We will also provide you at this time with a tenative project schedule that will specify the approximate amount of time it will take to complete the work. Provided you are happy with the final project cost estimate, we will schedule a time to meet and sign the final construction agreement.
PERMIT SUBMITTAL
We will prepare and submit to the appropriate building department any necessary permit applications. In most cases this take up to two weeks, depending on where you live. No matter how long it takes, we take care of all permits and inspections.
PROJECT SCHEDULE
Our in-house construction staff will take over from here. You will be assigned a Project Manager who will be your daily point person for your project and will be performing and scheduling the work, answering questions, problem solving, and updating the schedule.
Because some of the products used in your project may have long lead times, we will be able to establish a project start date only after these products have been ordered and the supplier has provided a delivery date. Once all of the variables are determined and the critical path to project completion is known, your project manager will provide you with a start date.
PRE-CONSTRUCTION MEETING
Prior to the start of your project, we will schedule a “Pre-Construction Meeting” where we review all of the details about your project, and make sure everyone is still on the same page. This meeting includes everything from parking and dumpster location to accommodating pets. We will also go over any questions you may have about the project schedule.
PERMITTING
Once your permit is approved, we finalize the schedule and start your project. Our craftsmen arrive at your home each day, equipped to transform the once dream into reality. Your project manager regularly meets with you and our contractors to review the progress. With our skilled trades and craftsmen, you’re in good hands. We’re also ready to answer any questions you have as the project moves forward.
PROJECT COMMUNICATION
The main reason why we have so many happy clients is clear, timely communication during the project. Your project manager visits the project regulalry and is always available to go over any questions you might have.
We stand by our work and have extended our workmanship warranty to cover 5 years, which is much longer than most of our competitors and certainly longer than the industry standard of 1 year. Our craftsmanship always conforms to the guidelines stated in the NAHB Residential Construction Performance Guidelines.
So what does this mean for you? Peace of mind. When your home remodeling and construction project is completed, your relationship with the J.Allen team continues on. In the event you have issues, we will be there to make sure they are taken care of promptly.