How We Work
How We Work
We strongly believe that for remodels to be successful, clients must have a good understanding of the services they are receiving and the work that is done. Our company is organized to ensure that our customers are fully informed and supported from start to finish.
As a cost-plus contractor, we bill hourly rates during construction for our field team’s hours and we markup materials and subcontractors at a fixed rate.
Our pricing is completely transparent – you see receipts, estimates, and invoices from subcontractors, labor timesheets, and markups. Our cost-plus fee structure ensures that there are no hidden costs and that you are only be billed for the work performed. It is a fair billing process, which our clients value.
Our Process
Schedule a
consultation
Discuss
your vision
When you call Renovate, we schedule a time to look at your project. You’ll meet with two people from our team on the initial consultation – our Design Manager and our Senior Superintendent. We will discuss your vision and listen to your remodel ideas.
Once we have met with you, if you feel like we are the right fit for your job, we will send you an agreement to enter the plan phase.
Good plans ensure proper execution in the field, which is why we begin each remodel with this phase. Plans are at the foundation of every remodel and not only are required for permitting, but also necessary to ensure that your vision comes to life the way you imagine it will.
Our Design/Build process is comprised of three phases: Plan Phase, Pre-Construction Phase, & Construction Phase.
Quick Turnaround!
Plan Phase
In the Plan Phase our team will work with you to understand your wants and needs of the remodel. We will get a feel for your aesthetic and lifestyle, and we will create the plans that show your remodel layout.
During this phase we fully develop the scope of work for your remodel. Our team will let you know up front of any potential foreseeable issues that could arise, or any constraints that might exist based on residential building codes. This is also the time to design your full remodel vision. This does not mean we have to build it all, but we want to make sure that if you are planning to phase your remodel, we account for all planned changes to ensure everything is structurally prepared for any future work.
We know that remodels are big investments for our clients, and we will work to ensure that you are getting a return on your investment, not just financially, but also in the quality of life you will experience in your redesigned space.
When we have completed the floor plans, we finalize the scope of work and conduct subcontractor walkthroughs with our trade partners, focusing on big ticket items like electrical, plumbing, and HVAC. Our design and field team then walks through the project with our estimation checklist to account for every detail. We then produce the project budget for your specific remodel based on our labor hours, our subcontractor bids, the construction materials, selection materials, and our Project Management & Design fees. We also give you a very specific finish selection budget which our designer will use when working with you during the finish selection process in Pre-Construction. After we review the budget with you and work to refine the work scope to ensure you both understand and are comfortable with the project, we are ready to move forward into Pre-Construction.
Pre-Construction Phase
In the Pre-Construction Phase, we begin the permitting and finish selection process. You will start to work with our design team to select your finishes (cabinets, countertops, faucets, flooring, tile, paint color, trim packages, doors, fixtures, hardware, etc.). This will allow us to create detailed 3D renderings which will show you what the space will look like when the remodel is complete. We will update the plans with your selections and prepare construction drawings.
While you are making finish selections, we will be applying for your permit. Depending on the scope of your remodel and the city in which you live, permits can take between two weeks to eight months.
Once we have the permit, we are ready to move into the Construction Phase.
Elevations
Renderings vs Actual
Construction Phase
The Construction Phase starts with a Project Kick-Off Meeting with your project manager and designer. During this meeting we answer any of your logistical questions and prepare for the start of demolition. This includes determining where we place the dumpster, the sanitation station, how we acquire access to your home, how we minimize disruption to your life, and ensure the safety of your family, including your pets, during construction.
Once we start construction, your project manager updates you weekly on the work progress including outlining completed tasks and upcoming work. Our accounting department sends a weekly invoice which includes labor hour reports, subcontractor work, and material receipts.
We look forward to earning your business!
A Note on Home Remodeling Investment
No doubt about it, a home renovation is a major investment. At Renovate we want to ensure that you are spending money wisely to get a return on your investment – and we are here to make sure that what you do makes sense. That is why we work with an experienced realtor, Mel Parsons of Parsons Team Seattle, to help our clients decide how much to invest. When we are building out your work scope, we can bring in Mel to assess the real estate market value of your remodel. If you need to scale down the scope from an investment standpoint, we will do that happily.
Services We Offer:
Basement Remodels | Kitchen Remodels | Bathroom Renovations | Deck Builder
