Most homeowners fall into one of two categories. Some have already met with an architect and have a full set of engineered plans that are ready to go. Others have a vague idea of what they want but have no idea what to do next. We have a professional relationship with some of the areas most talented architects and designers who can work with you to help bring your ideas to life. Utilizing our extensive experience will make the process of taking your plans from concept to reality a smooth and pain free experience. Here we will explain the six step process that will take you from initial planning to project completion.
Initial meeting
When you first contact NCB we will schedule a meeting at your house at a time that is convenient to you, whether it is during the day or evening. You should allow 1 to 2 hours for this initial meeting and it is important that all people that will be involved with the decision making be present. At this meeting we will discuss your ideas and if you already have plans, go over them and the project site. We will take pictures of the site and have you complete several questionnaires that pertain to your proposed project. Some of the items that will be discussed include the type and style of windows and doors, flooring choices, price level of various fixtures and finishes, and any exterior hardscape/landscape plans.
Ballpark Estimate
Armed with a clear understanding about the proposed project NCB will now prepare a “ballpark” or rough estimate. There is no cost or obligation to you for this estimate. The ballpark estimate should be within 10% to 15% of the actual project costs depending on the complexity of the plans or condition of the existing structure. The purpose of this estimate is to provide you with an idea of what your project will cost so you know whether or not you want to move forward with the design and plans. At this time NCB will provide you with a list of references for projects that are similar in scope and design to your proposed project.
Design/Plans
If you did not already have plans prepared, now is the time to meet with an architect or designer to layout your ideas to scale in print form. Up to this point there have been no out of pocket costs to you. The plans are your first financial commitment to your proposed project. By this point you should be focused on what you want and eager to move forward with the architect. This stage can take from 2 weeks to 2 months depending on how busy the architect is and how many drafts are required to achieve your final plans.
Detailed Estimate
With the final plans in hand NCB can now provide a detailed estimate and scope of work report. We will schedule a meeting to discuss the design details and make final decisions on the finishes and fixture selections. You should plan to allow 2 to 3 hours for this meeting to ensure that we have time to go over all aspects of the project. It is crucial to the accuracy of the detailed estimate to have as many details and decisions for all fixtures and finishes. The detailed estimate and construction agreement is a 6 to 10 page document that includes the details and specifications in over 25 categories of the construction process and will specify the exact scope of the proposed work.
Pre-construction Planning
At this point all plans are finalized, estimates complete, and the contractor/customer agreement has been signed. Now is the time to plan for the construction to actually begin. This might involve something as minor as installing a plastic barrier between the existing space and the new space. Or it might involve hiring a moving company and emptying the entire contents of the house and relocating to temporary housing. You will need to determine how much construction activity you can handle and whether or not you can live with subcontractors coming and going from your house for as long as 6 months. More details about preparing for construction will be discussed based on your specific situation.
Construction
This is a very exciting time but it can be very stressful too. There are a lot of decisions to make and a lot of running around to suppliers to make various selections. Remodeling and addition projects can be a major disruption to your daily life and routine. It is important to be prepared for this and stay flexible and to keep your expectations realistic. Communication on a regular basis is vital to ensure that everything flows smoothly and on schedule. In custom building changes are inevitable and almost expected. The sooner we know about potential changes the better prepared we will be to deal with them in a timely, cost effective way. We will provide a decision schedule that helps to keep you a step ahead and avoid last minute rushed decisions. We will also provide you with a list of preferred vendors so that you will avoid making mistakes with unfamiliar suppliers and products.
