Proven Process: Steps to A Successful Home Remodel

If we both believe we are a good fit for the project and when you are ready to move ahead, we’ll ask you to sign a Project Planning Agreement and pay a nominal design-build planning fee based on your project’s estimated starting range. What you gain through a Project Planning Agreement is an accurate budget amount for your project, which is far more accurate than a free estimate. This agreement entails:

• Conducting a comprehensive needs analysis for the client’s project and how it will tie into their existing home
• Defining a detailed project scope.
• Taking as-built measurements.
• Preparing 3D conceptual drawings.
• Client review of preliminary plans.
• Working with you to establish allowances for material selections (when appropriate) and preparing final drawings (as required) for your new home construction, remodeling or renovation project.

Your Project Planning fee is applied to the final cost of your project. Therefore it is not an added cost to you; rather it reflects your commitment as a serious client who appreciates working with a professional who will add value to your project and eliminate the possibility of surprises in cost.

When it comes to our estimating process, we believe in delivering an outstanding value. We want clients to understand that not all estimates are created equal. Oftentimes, you’ll see a handyman or even an otherwise reputable company advertising free estimates. What you as a client need to consider is how much time, effort and research they are realistically willing and able to put into a free estimate.

• If you are considering a remodeling or home addition project, are they taking the time to examine how your home is constructed? Did they go into the attic, basement or crawl space to look at specifics such as the construction and stability of joists, adequacy of insulation, electrical circuits and panel size, and existing HVAC units?
• If you’re building a new home, are they taking the time to ask what quality and level of materials and finishes you’d like?
• Are they instead just quoting a minimum square footage cost that would leave you with a home that would fall far short of your expectations or result in a much higher than expected cost at the end of the project?
• Are they considering the idiosyncrasies of your lot and neighborhood requirements and how that may impact costs?

If not, the estimate they are providing may not even be close to what you ultimately will need to pay. We take the time and make the effort to do this crucial initial step — and every other step — correctly the first time. That’s true no matter how large or small the project may be and regardless of the scope of the project.

As exciting as a home addition, remodeling, renovation or new custom home project is, we understand that you only want to go through the process once. Whether we’re addressing a repair during a project or are building a custom home, Palmer Custom Builders taps our design-build teams’ collective experience to thoroughly plan your project, accurately address every detail, and to anticipate any challenges before they become issues.

Palmer Custom Builders uses detailed Construction Agreements with specific allowances for custom selections. This means that you’ll know the cost of your project upfront (barring any changes or additions you make in the scope of work), based on our comprehensive planning estimate of materials and labor. This gives you the peace of mind of being able to effectively budget for your project.

Occasionally, a potential client will ask us about cost plus pricing. This type of contract does not set a final price but instead obligates the homeowner to pay the actual costs of materials and labor plus a percentage markup. This controversial pricing method is shunned by most true professionals, as it responsible for the vast majority of construction litigation and leaves homeowners vulnerable to cost overruns. (You can learn more about the two pricing methods on our blog.)

After we conduct a final on-site review of the process and timeline with you, we begin deconstruction (for remodeling) or site clearing and foundation work (for new construction). Construction follows, during which time weekly on-site project reviews keep you and our tradesmen up to date on your project’s progression. Palmer Custom Builders is responsive and hands-on from start to finish and does it right the first time

All projects are photographed before, during and after completion using HDR digital photography to ensure that you have a record of what’s been done. When appropriate, we supplement those images with drone real estate photography using a DJI Mavic Pro Drone to quickly assess the situation, give you a unique perspective on your project as it unfolds, and effectively oversee construction as it happens. The result is exceptional job oversight and client communication as well as a lasting photographic archive of your project.

From the final walk-through to a 90-day follow-up and a one-year warranty. You can rest assured in the knowledge that Palmer Custom Builders will be there to stand behind our work.

Palmer Custom Builders adds value to every project by providing you with a complete package: a thoroughly analyzed, well-planned process that results in professionally executed and quality built finished result; a successful business operation that is there to provide support; and a company that will stand behind your project for years to come. In fact, Palmer Custom Builders celebrates their 35th Year Anniversary in 2021!

At Palmer Custom Builders, we really do want to hear from you. After every project, we follow up with a client survey to see what we did right and discover any areas where we can improve. We appreciate this valuable feedback as well as the testimonials our homeowners share. Your satisfaction in a job well done is our main priority.