When people think of a home renovation project, they are most likely to conjure up images of workers on ladders and the sound of saws and hammers, or what it feels like to be in the middle of the building process.
While that part of the process is certainly the most transformative, there are a number of pre-construction steps that are just as critical as making sure your framing is solid and your roof won’t leak.
At Auburndale Builders, our pre-construction process includes four pricing checkpoints. Involving input from the key team members, typically the client, architect and builder, these checkpoints enable us to see – before we even pick up a hammer – where and how the budget will be allocated.
The four stages are:
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Preliminary Budget Pricing – This budget is presented 1 to 2 weeks after initial meeting and plan review. This budget outlines the major cost drivers for the project, based on our experience on other projects, and identifies options that could bring the price up or down, depending on design. Once this budget is set, we move to the next step.
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Schematic Design (SD) Pricing – In this step, we review the architect’s first round of drawing, which usually includes an initial “program” or list of requirements for the project, lots of sketches and massing models exploring different options for how to fulfill the program. This allows us to hone the original budget.
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Design Development (DD) Pricing – After the SD pricing is approved and the architect has updated the plans and specifications accordingly, we can use the design development time to plan mechanical systems, wall assemblies, finishes, and more detailed structural analysis. We work closely with the architect to help inform the most efficient and cost-effective solutions.
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Construct Documents (CD) for Contract Pricing – As we transition from design development to construction documents, we get into the nitty-gritty details of the project. The client, architect and design team, if included, make selections for appliances, lighting fixtures, plumbing fixtures, cabinets, tile and put these into a detailed set of plans from which we start to build. These documents will form the baseline of the contract and the build plan
We believe that taking the time to walk through options on paper, before getting into the building process is the best way to reduce the number of change orders and surprises that can plague some building projects.
If you would like to talk to us about your renovation or new construction project, please call today!