How it Works
We have created a simple process
that effectively moves us through the bidding, design and
construction of your addition or renovation.
1. The Budget
Estimate. After
calling to set up an appointment with us, we will come to your
home and measure the project, give you a list of references and
copies of our business licenses and insurance, take a series of
pictures for estimating purposes, and show you a collection of
photos from our other completed projects that may be similar to
what you have in mind. This will not be the typical one
page estimate with a number at the bottom you get from most contractors.
Instead, the entire project will be broken down into divisions of
construction, with quantities and specifications for each
component itemized. This allows you to see exactly what we intend
to give you for your home improvement dollar. You can use this
estimate to compare to any others you may be entertaining to make
sure they are bidding the same level of quality we are. The extra time it takes us to produce an
accurate estimate saves everyone lots of headaches throughout the
project. These specifications will ultimately become a part of our
final agreement with the client. There is a small charge for this
estimate, which is applied to the cost of the design should we
proceed to the next step in the process.
2. The Design
Contract. After
reviewing your budget estimate with us, you have some decisions to
make; the price may be more or less than you expected, or you may decide that
the project is exactly what you had in mind, and that the budget
will work for you. In either case, you will want to proceed with
finalizing the design and specifications for the project and get
it ready to build. The estimate fee is
applied to the deposit on a Design Agreement, and we get you in
the schedule for a design and blueprints to be produced. During
this design phase we will make a more accurate measurement of the
project and enter your design criteria into the computer, where
the renovation or addition will be rendered in 3D. You may decide
to adjust the scope of work, or the design itself may go through
some alterations as you can see the new building more clearly.
After you are content that what you see is what you want,
blueprints are printed up for you, and the design is ready to be
presented for a building permit process. At this time, you are
given some choices again. You may simply pay for the design and
wait to actually do the construction; you may put the project out
to bid for other contractors, or you may go with our bid, which
will have been refined as the design was produced to be as
accurate as possible. If you do decide to use our construction
services, a portion of the design costs will be rebated to you as
an added incentive, and as a thank you from us for trusting SHDC
with your project.
3. The
Construction.
When you choose Short Hill Design and Construction as the prime contractor for your project, a
contract for the job will be generated, and scheduling will be
started. Our backlog of work varies and you will be informed of
the anticipated start date from the beginning of our relationship
with you. This date becomes more solid as we progress through the
estimate and design phases. We take care of all the permit
applications, materials purchasing, sub-contracting...everything
necessary to smoothly facilitate the completion of your project.
Throughout the work you will be informed of progress, and
consulted with daily. We stay on your job once it is started until
it is finished. Our crews will perform with the highest levels of
professionalism to that end. When the job is finished we won't
disappear; you will have our warranty and dedicated service to
maintain your satisfaction.
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