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Residential Consulting ~ Drafting ~ Project Management Repairs ~ Remodels ~ Additions MHIC 84558 Serving Montgomery and surrounding counties in Maryland |
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"Helping homeowners understand, plan, and perform their home improvement projects." Services:Existing Structure & Property Report Cost Guesstimate & Materials List Description
Initial Consultation During this initial meeting in your home, you will gain an important understanding of what the home improvement process is all about. We will discuss your project including the goals and needs to be met, your ideas, time frames, permits, needed contractors, zoning, and more. There are building details and codes that need to be applied. Ignoring them or hiring an uninformed contractor can make your improvement dream a nightmare! Learn about overlooked items that often result in change orders costing delays and thousands of dollars. Knowledge gained before living through a home improvement project is your key to preventing poor performance. This is why a valuable part of our talk will be about your role, what you should expect, and what you are likely to experience. Have your notebook handy. You control the success of your project. Make it pleasant and fun. Let my knowledge and experience help you. Typical duration & fee: Simple bathroom, kitchen, basement projects: 1 to 1 1/2 hours. More complex projects like additions: 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Billed minimum one hour then every half hour.
Follow-Up Consultations Follow-Up Consultations occur after our Initial Consultation and after you have had the opportunity to do some research for your project. Pursuing products and solutions has led you to a vast amount of information that raises new questions and dilemmas. The Follow-Up Consultation gives you an easy way of keeping perspective, personality, and fun in your evolving project design. Typical duration & fee: Usually 1 hour. Billed minimum one hour then every half hour.
Existing Structure & Property Report The primary step in creating your project is understanding what you already have. With the Existing Structure and Property Report Service, you receive a detailed report that categorically lists the existing systems and room information in your home. Why is this important? There are a number of items that may or may not need to be altered, replaced or upgraded to accommodate your new improvement, or to meet building codes. As a Homeowner, you should use this Report information to properly design, plan and budget. As a Contractor, I know it takes time and effort to attain this data and it would be easier to submit a prompt bid if this basic information were provided. It is very easy to accumulate $10,000 or $20,000 or more in unexpected costs. Here are some examples of typical, unforeseen costs that this report can help to identify (without disclosing the actual items):
The Existing Structure and Property Report is an information tool that can be used for early identification of "extra" costs needed for your project. It can also be used as the baseline information for the Statement of Work and the Drafting Service. Typical duration & fee: Usually 2 1/2 hours on-site. Report mailed and/or e-mailed afterward. Billed as a fixed-fee service.
Statement of Work (SOW) The Statement of Work is a written document in paragraph form that states what work needs to be performed for your project. I will generate your initial Statement of Work and then hand it over to you printed and/or electronically. It will be based upon the project information to date, including relevant data attained from the Existing Structure & Property Report, if so acquired. This is a soft document that you will amended as you create your project. Should you wish to have your changes reviewed, this can be done through a Follow-Up Consultation. The SOW is divided into categories or divisions that equate to the construction sequence. It usually begins with General Requirements where items such as temporary barriers and controls are specified. Then, Site Construction (demolition, excavation, grading, etc.), Concrete, Wood and Plastics (rough carpentry, finish carpentry, millwork, etc.) and so on. The SOW is important for two very good reasons.
The Statement of Work is a key document for your home improvement project. It is well worth the effort. Typical duration & fee: Varies. Dependent upon project. Can provide estimate/rate during Consultation.
Cost Guesstimate & Materials List "How much does it cost?" "How long will it take?" Here's how the Cost Guesstimate & Materials List Service can get you there faster. By listing the construction phases and needed materials in a spreadsheet, you can actually help the contractor to price the job faster and more accurately. There are many items that are determined by homeowner selection. The contractor can allocate budgets for these items but it is better if you specify them as early as possible. Even if these are not your final selections, including them now adds credibility to the estimate and gives you first hand knowledge of how your choices affect cost . Be as specific as possible in terms of colors, types, model numbers, part numbers, prices, delivery costs, lead times, and time to complete. Selection examples:
As a contractor who performed most of the work myself, I still had suppliers and subs perform some installations like countertops and hardwood floors. Adding installation costs as desired is a good idea, especially for the do-it-yourself projects where you prefer that some parts are done-by-others. The Cost Guesstimate and Materials List is a spreadsheet in which I identify and list the typical construction phases and materials, and then hand it over to you printed and/or electronically for you to complete your part. The other parts of the list, like foundation and framing, pertain to do-it-yourself projects or to your potential contractor to help them quickly see the extent of the project and estimate accordingly. Prices are not provided. The Existing Structure & Property Report, Statement of Work and Drafting Service are of great help in compiling this List. Typical duration & fee: Varies. Dependent upon project. Can provide estimate/rate during Consultation.
Drafting
Service
Drawings, also known as blueprints and plans, are the culmination of your goals, needs, ideas and selections. This is the first view of what your completed project is to look like. Is it what you imagined? The great feature about drawings is that they can and should be modified to suit your evolving project before you start building. Drawings show your existing structure and the proposed improvement, including the plat, plan views, elevations, sections, details, and notes which specify the foundation, floors, walls, roof, finishes, selections, as so on. This information is necessary for you or your contractor to obtain applicable permits and to build. It is very useful to contractors for estimating because it gives them an easy, quick overview of the project. The cost for drawings can vary greatly depending upon a number of factors.
Architects, engineers, and drafting companies may charge by the hour, square
foot, type of project, or percentage of building cost. Projects can require
simple or complex drawings like conceptual, design and development, framing,
structural, MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing), etc. Local government permitting agencies usually have a minimum level of plan submittal guidelines. Your plans should meet these basic requirements and contain additional information that helps your contractor provide the finished product that you desire. The Drafting Service provides a baseline set of drawings of your project to help you get started quickly. What is exactly included depends on your project and can be discussed during an Initial Consultation or Follow-Up Consultation. Samples of previous projects meeting building permit application guidelines can be presented. The Existing Structure & Property Report, Statement of Work, and Cost Guesstimate and Materials List are of great help in the Drafting Service. Typical duration & fee: Varies. Dependent upon project. Can provide estimate/rate during Consultation.
The Project Management Service is for the do-it-yourself and general-contractor homeowners who desire advice about structuring, scheduling and coordinating their home improvement project. Getting the appropriate trades and materials on the job at the proper time is a dance. You want the music to keep playing. Typical duration & fee: Usually 1 to 2 hours. Billed minimum one hour, then every half hour.
The Tool-Belt Service is for the do-it-yourself and general-contractor homeowners who need a helping hand at times along the way. For selected tasks, I will actually put on my tool belt and help you with guidance and labor.
For example: You are ready to open the exterior, load bearing wall and install the new header for that big picture window. It helps to have an extra set of experienced hands.
Typical duration & fee: Billed per hour, minimum 2 hours; or per eight hour day. |
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