Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I begin?
- How much is my project going to cost?
- How long will the process take?
- How disruptive will the construction process be?
- Who are the people who will be working in my house?
- How will you keep our house secure during construction?
- Who will be my contact?
- How do you control construction mess?
- What about warranties?
- How do I begin?
Give us a call or e-mail us to ask for a free consultation at your house. During this initial consultation we will listen to your description of the problems and limitations involved, tour the house with you and discuss some possible solutions and a brief description of how we may be of service to you.
- How much is my project going to cost?
Pricing will depend on the scope of your project and your goals for quality of materials which may range from durable-suitable to elegant-sophisticated. Our initial consultation will determine your budget goals and from our analysis of your project we will be able to promptly respond with a preliminary cost estimate based on our history of similar projects recently completed in your area.
- How long will the process take?
The design/build process involves three time segments:1. Our collaborative design approach includes your input into the development of conceptual ideas and materials selection. For a simple room addition project, this takes about a month.
2. If your project involves two stories, Fairfax County permit application process requires about two weeks for structural review. For a single story project the permitting process takes one or two days.
3. Construction time frame is directly related to the complexity of your project and the availability of materials. The simple room addition may take from three to four months.
- How disruptive will the construction process be?
No question, your life will be a bit more complicated when our craftsmen are in your home working. The best arrangements are well planned in advance of construction so you will know what and when to anticipate inconvenient disruptions. We will make our very best efforts to keep a clean work environment, a water-tight building envelope and constant security. It helps that everyone on our team will bend over backwards to make the construction process as minimally inconvenient as possible.
- Who are the people who will be working in my house?
Our craftsmen are highly skilled and experienced in their specific trades. As family men, they are all too familiar with the care required involving the proximity of children and the importance of cleanliness and security. Our long successful history with our subcontractors assures high quality workmanship and impeccable credentials regarding personal character and dependable performance.
- How will you keep our house secure during construction?
Only key personnel will have access to the door keys secured in a lock box. The frame and envelope for any addition will be constructed before walls are removed to ensure constant security. Daily end of work day inspections of the premises assure final lock up, in the event your family is not at home. - Who will be my contact?
One of the advantages of a Design/Build approach to solving remodeling problems is that we represent one point of accountability. For us, that means your contact will be either Jim Cassell or Carl Landow, both principals of the company. They will stay with the project from design through to the completion of the project, and in the event of a larger project, they may have the support of a construction manager, but will in any case be your primary contact for the duration of the project.
- How do you control construction mess?
We clean up at the end of each work day. This includes broom sweeping construction debris and depositing this debris in an on-site dumpster. We pick up loose papers and anything else that might remain unsightly. We try our best to maintain a well organized, functional work site.
- What about warranties?
We will provide a one year warrantee on workmanship and materials. Appliance, windows and door manufactures typically provide their own warrantees.