Our Process
Learn more about our Chicago home remodeling process.
01
CONSTRUCTION PLANS
A smooth construction process begins with a good plan. The plan should match your needs and be specific so you'll know you're getting exactly what you want.
Our first conversation will be to learn where you are in you're planning. If you have a fully developed plan from a designer, we'll talk it over with you, discuss your budget and if you'd like, give you our thoughts. We may have ideas to help you get more of what you want or to lower costs. For clients, who know what they want but don't yet have plans, one of our designers or associated designers can help you flesh out your ideas and create fully specified plans to fit your space. We also assist many designers answering construction and budget questions as well as providing drafting services.
If we seem like a good fit for your project, we'll talk about next steps. If we're not the right fit, we'll try to connect you with someone who might be a better fit.
02
CONSTRUCTION BIDDING
We start the bidding process by talking ballpark numbers. We'll try to give you an idea of what your project will cost and if it's out of range, we'll make suggestions to bring the costs into line with your expectations. Once we're on the same page, we'll create a spread sheet of your project accounting for every square foot of tile and fixture and the labor to construct them. This allows you to understand your projects cost at a granular level enabling you to make adjustments. If we remain in line with your expectations, we'll do a site visit to confirm dimensions and anticipate issues that may impact construction costs and timing. If our bid meets with your approval, we’ll send over a contract for your review and signature.
03
PRE-CONSTRUCTION
Once we receive your signed contract and deposit, we’ll order all your materials to our warehouse, build your custom cabinetry in our cabinetry shop and give you a start date on the calendar. We'll also make arrangements with your building manager and help you with any permitting issues at your request. As we get closer to your start date, we'll update you as dates may shift for various reasons until we'll give you notice of a definite start date usually about a week in advance.
04
ACTIVE CONSTRUCTION
In construction, goal is goal is to complete your project as quickly as we can while ensuring a high level of craftsman ship. The first day, our head of construction will review every part of your job with your project foreman. You can join that meeting if you like to ensure everything is as you expect. In any case, we'll update you on the schedule and some construction details.
After that, we'll protect your home, remove what has to go and start delivering materials. We'll organize your jobsite at the end of every day, and update you so you'll never wonder what's happening. Along the way, there may be surprises. If so, we'll explain the situation, your options, and the costs involved. Once we start, there nothing you have to do. With good plans, almost all the decisions will have been made. But if there are questions, we'll reach out to you or your designer.
We know construction is mysterious, expensive, and sometimes anxiety provoking. We'll do our best demystify it, be transparent, and get your project completed as fast and smoothly as possible.
05
CONSTRUCTION BILLING
After your project begins, you will likely receive a progress invoice every week or two. We review all projects and update their progress weekly.
Your deposit will be applied towards your early invoices with a portion of your deposit, 10%, retained until your project reaches 90% completion.
Once completed, you will receive a detailed report which matches your initial contract with the addition of extra and credit. This way you'll have clear understanding of everything that went on during your project and their costs. If you have any questions, our bookkeeping team will be happy to address those. They're here to help.
06
POST CONSTRUCTION
When your project is complete, our construction supervisor will walk through your project with you and together, you'll create a final punch list as needed. Once the punch list is completed, your final billing will be sent. After the your punch list is complete, our one-year warrantee will go into effect. Non-urgent issues that arise will be handled on a scheduled basis, usually at one, three, six and nine months if needed. Urgent issues which could cause further damage will be handled immediately.
When you work with us, we take the worry out of renovation. The job will be done right and we'll be there to back it up. In the years to come, we'll still be there to help you or advise you on any issues in your house.
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