BASEMENT AND DECK ESTIMATING PROCESS

 FIRST APPOINTMENT

Bill Mills, the owner, will meet you in your home to review your project.  Bill will ask you many questions so that he can learn about your preferences.  He will take measurements and make recommendations based on his experience.  He will then recommend one of the two ways to get a kitchen proposal.  You will set up the next meeting at this time.

BASEMENTS AND DECKS WITHOUT DESIGN WORK

You have a complete set of plans for the basement or deck that you want and estimated.

Even when customers have a good idea of what they want, by consulting with Bill and his 20 years of remodeling experience make changes to their design.  

There is a two-step process to develop the project proposal.  The first step Bill will develop a phase one proposal and budget.  He gives the key sub-contractors the drawings and specifications.  They will price their work from the drawings.  He will use average allowances for cabinets and other materials that you will be selecting in his budget.  Bill will then prepare a phase one proposal and budget.  This will include a detailed scope of work, the cost allowance page and payment schedule. 

Once you agree on the design, scope and cost the final proposal will be developed.  Bill will bring all the key subs to you house to verify the pricing.  You will visit key suppliers (i.e: tile, cabinets, flooring, plumbing fixtures, appliances etc.) making your selections.  We have a very talented group of designers at our key suppliers who will help you make selection.  Now that we have fixed prices for the sub-contractors and you have made you product selections we have a very tight budget for your project.  Bill will now prepare the contract.  The contract will include. plans, cabinet and tile designs, allowances, payment schedules, project schedule.

BASEMENTS AND DECKS WITH DESIGN WORK

You have a basic idea of the basement or deck, but not a set of plans.  It is not possible to bid accurately without plans.

Design Phase: Projects that have space redesigns (basements, kitchens and larger bathrooms), Bill will do one or more designs on his computer using Chief Architect.  This give the home owner the opportunity to see different options in 3D.  Sometimes we will have several design meetings before a design is finalized.  This process will take several meetings.  There will be a design fee that is based on the unique project.

There is a two-step process to develop the project proposal. 

Phase One Proposal:  The first step Bill will develop a phase one proposal and budget.  He gives the key sub-contractors the drawings and specifications.  They will price their work from the drawings.  He will use average allowances for cabinets and other materials that you will be selecting in his budget.  Bill will then prepare a phase one proposal and budget.  This will include a detailed scope of work, the cost allowance page and payment schedule.  There is typical one to three meetings in this process.  We are often asked to due some value engineering to manage the budget.

Final Proposal:  Once you agree on the design, scope and cost the final proposal will be developed.  Bill will bring all the key subs to you house to verify the pricing.  You will visit key suppliers (i.e: tile, cabinets, flooring, plumbing fixtures, appliances etc.) making your selections.  We have a very talented group of designers at our key suppliers who will help you make selection.  Now that we have fixed prices for the sub-contractors and you have made you product selections we have a very tight budget for your project.  Bill will now prepare the contract.  The contract will include. plans, cabinet and tile designs, allowances, payment schedules, project schedule.