Our Clients Say it Best

Hello Rusty and Mia:

I wanted to take a moment to thank you both for your patience and professionalism.  Admittedly, it has taken some time for us to address the endless details involved in this project.  Nonetheless, you both have been very patient with us and we could not be more pleased with the final version of the drawings.

It will be an exciting summer and we are incredibly pleased about moving forward with the remodeling project!  Given your reputation, we are very confident about the outcome and appreciate your vital role in creating a new environment for us to enjoy for many years in Sarasota!

With gratitude,

Susan and David

After The Project

If you’ve made the right decisions, hired the right Contractor and made a conscious effort to understand your plans and reviewed your specifications you should have been rewarded with a project that met or exceeded your expectations.  After the project is complete homeowners have an implied warranty of one year as mandated by Florida Construction Law. After that, it’s a matter of having established a relationship based on trust with your builder. A builder with a good long standing reputation will take care of his client after the implied warranty, and will be an advocate well into the future. This is especially important for home owners that spend a significant amount of time up north during the summer and other times of the year. Having a professional that knows your home, who is trusted and looks out for your interests, is the real test of a long term business relationship.  When  something goes wrong or you need service it’s disconcerting to not get a return call or to find that the number that once reached your contractor’s office is no longer in service.  The initial costs of a project are important, but the long term relationship can be far more cost efficient.

Understanding Contracts

Why are contracts so important? The contract is the legal document between a contractor and a client that spells out the terms of the agreement for a construction project.  Contracts detail the responsibilities of the contractor and what they will be providing the client.

Are there different kinds of contracts?  Contracts may be a cost plus or a fixed sum.  A cost plus contract will vary according to any changes made during the progress of the project but the administration costs and profit margin will be agreed upon in advance. In either case contracts should be tied  to the specifications and the plans.

How do change orders relate to contracts? Change orders affect the scope of work and the costs. How change orders are handled should be agreed upon  before the work is initiated. In general work above and beyond the contract amount is not done before a change order is signed.  In the field small changes may need to be initiated immediately to expedite the completion of the project.

What else do you need to know? The contract should also spell out the date by which the contract price must be accepted and details such as responsibilities for insurance.  A well thought out and executed contract is essential.

Understanding Specifications

Understanding Specifications

     Understanding specifications is vital for the homeowner. Plans show the overall scope of the project including  items like wall layout, elevations, window schedules, door schedules, and what kind of flooring (carpet, tile, wood) is being used.  The specifications go into more detail. An example might be a line item called Wood Flooring with the following information:  Armstrong 3 inch engineered hardwood plank in natural cherry, product number EPP3108. With detailed specifications there is no room for error,  you know exactly what you’re getting.

The specifications should be specific to the various rooms in a remodeling or building project like  kitchen, master bath, living room, and dining room. The individual rooms will each have a number of items listed like flooring, fixtures, cabinets, paint colors  and trim. Since understanding  specifications is so important, homeowners might request that a contractor provide specifications in  a format that is easy for them to understand.  In my opinion a specifications book that lists the rooms and includes a detailed description of items like plumbing fixtures, their individual model numbers and pictures are best. These books can be printed or provided in digital form as a PDF file. Understanding specifications will help you realize your dream.

Understanding Plans

Understanding plans is nothing short of knowing  the value of your remodeling project.  I think it’s fair to say that very few clients really understand the scope and complexity that plans represent. That’s why it is important for your  contractor to conduct a thorough plans review session with you before a project actually begins. The plans are also intricately connected to the specifications that accompany them. Every subcontractor who bids on a project where plans are necessary should include the line “As per Plans and Specifications” on their proposal

Understanding your plans and reading all the schedules, notes, and criteria contained on them will decrease the likelihood of unanticipated costs associated with change orders.  A complete set of plans includes a “Demolition Plan, a “Renovation Plan”, an “Electrical” Plan, a “Flooring Plan”, and a schedule of windows and doors if applicable. Other informational items about hardware, casing, baseboards, cabinets and shelving should be recorded in the plans, as well as the specifications. Taking the time to carefully review renovation plans,  will definitely save you money and headaches during the renovation process.

Understanding plans is critical to a successful, well planned project!