How a project runs
What happens at each stage of a remodel or addition, who does it, and what you decide when.
Most of the stress in a building project comes from surprises: a price that grows, a schedule nobody updates, a decision asked for on the day it is needed. We plan the work so that the decisions come early and the surprises are named in advance.
What you decide, and when
- Before the price: the layout, and the level of finish (cabinets, counters, tile, fixtures).
- Before ordering: the exact products, colors and hardware.
- During the build: only small things, such as the height of a light or the end of a tile run, asked a week ahead.
Allowances
Some things cannot be priced until a wall is open: rotten framing, old wiring, a hidden leak. We name an allowance for each likely one in the price. If we use less, you pay less; if a real problem needs more, you see photos and a written price before we go on.
Payments
A deposit when you sign, then payments tied to finished stages, never far ahead of the work. The last payment comes after the final inspection and the walk-through.
The five stages
Design visit
We see the house, listen, measure and talk about budget honestly.
Drawings and a fixed price
Drawings, a list of every finish and a written price with allowances named.
Permits and ordering
We apply for permits and order long-lead items before any demolition.
The build
One project lead on site, a weekly update and every inspection passed.
Walk-through
A final walk-through, a written list for the last details, and a one-year workmanship warranty.
Questions about the process
How soon can you start?
Design can usually start within a few weeks. Building starts once the permit is issued and long-lead items have arrived.
Do I need an architect?
Not for most remodels and one-story additions; our designer draws them. Larger or more complex projects may need an architect or engineer, and we work with both.
What if I change my mind during the build?
You can. We price the change in writing and tell you how it affects the schedule before we make it.
How do you keep the house clean?
Dust walls with zip doors, floor protection from the entrance, an air scrubber for dusty work, and a clean-up at the end of every day.
Book a design visit
Tell us about the house and what you have in mind. We reply within a working day to set a time.
- Call
- (865) 555-0171
- Hours
- Mon–Thu 8 am–5 pm · Fri 8 am–4 pm · Design visits by appointment
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