Our Process
Our Process
How much should you expect to pay, if anything, for an estimate, inspection or CenterBeam contractor consultation?
If you want to know how much it will cost to repair something, then it all depends on what you are asking. Often times, this can be ball parked by a general photo sent via email or text. (Ex: Replacement of bad wood around a door jamb). Free estimates are most common for uncomplicated jobs such as pressure washing or window washing or drywall repair.
If you want us to try and determine the source of a particular problem, then you will pay a small fee for the diagnosis. Our fees are $75 per hr-rounded up by each hour. A typical diagnosis averages $200. This is most common in older homes, as technicians need to use processes of elimination to pinpoint the cause. (Ex: moisture issues from an attic or water intrusion from outside siding to inside drywall).
If you have a larger project in mind and want an initial consultation, then there would be no charge. The first walk through appointment is simply to discuss your ideas and wants. To answer your questions and to view the space. There is no charge for this service.
Often times, after meeting with clients, they would like to receive an estimate prior to drawings to see if it fits within their budget. These larger, more elaborate projects-like a bathroom or kitchen remodel-may require more time to create a projection of costs to determine if you want to move forward to the design phase. The original estimate for this request assumes a lot of typical finishes (example: typical appliance package in a kitchen design) and will cost around $300
Once you determine you would like to move forward, you will move into the design phase is around 3% of the overall targeted job costs. This is when all measurements will be taken, before and after demo plans will be drawn and a scope of work will be discussed.
The Design-Build/Remodel Process with CenterBeam Construction
To better understand the process, the following are the steps we take together with our clients, from start to finish.
Initial meeting and purpose:
- Meet each other, discuss and examine your project.
- Provide an initial estimate of the budget.
- Establish the likely budget range and possible contingencies. These figures do not represent an estimate or actual project cost, they are intended to establish a target design/budget only.
- Answer any initial questions about the process or project
If the project is within the client’s budget and is feasible we will prepare and present the Design Phase only contract and after acceptance we will:
- Investigate the home and provide any consultation as needed.
- Photograph and measure areas of the home.
- Provide solutions to major design problems or issues.
- Produce preliminary design drawings consisting of; existing conditions, floor plans of remodeled and/or new space, foundation plan if needed and elevations.
- Develop project specifications including scope of work descriptions
- Prepare the proposal and contract for construction.
- The cost of this phase is approximately 3% of our target project budget.
- 50% of this phase is due up front and 50% is due at the end of the design phase.
- During the Design Phase, we will be able to develop the actual fixed project costs by working very closely together and also involving our team of subcontractors and other specialists.
At the completion of the Design Phase agreement, you will have:
- Completed design drawings
- Detailed Project Specifications
- The Construction Phase Fixed Price Proposal Contract
After the completion of the Design Phase you may:
- Retain all documents and take no further action.
- Decide to accept the contract for construction and proceed to the construction phase.
Should you decide to accept the contract for construction:
- CenterBeam Construction will produce the final permit drawings, provide Engineering review, apply for all necessary permits and begin to schedule all trades. Once completed, a soft date of assumed progress points will be provided.
- Upon acceptance of the Contract for Construction, the total cost of the Design / Build agreement will be applied to the total cost of construction.
- First payment will be due prior to COA and permit retrieval. 1/3 is due to begin the work, 1/3 is due mid-way (generally, this is right after drywall has been installed) and 1/3 is due at completion of the job after all final inspections have passed.