OUR SERVICES

The Design Build Process

Initial Services

We never charge for our initial consultation. Our goal is to meet you, to see your home, and to learn about your ideas and dreams. We will answer all your questions and provide rough, preliminary cost estimates.

Design

Design is conducted in two phases, and we will give you the cost for each phase before we start. We have found that our two-phase design approach allows our clients to explore design options and budget realities before making a full commitment to extensive construction drawings.

PHASE I: DESIGN CONCEPTS

We begin by measuring your existing house and drawing the floor plan to scale. We then develop a series of design concepts, in the form of pencil drawings, which incorporate your needs and wishes. In many cases, these concepts may represent low, medium, and high-end options for your remodeling project. After discussing the concepts with you, we create a final revision that most closely meets your design goals. Before moving on to Phase II, we will provide you with a preliminary budget that will closely estimate the true costs for construction. We will include allowances for all the items that you will be picking out later – things like windows, fixtures, and finishes. Often, our clients request preliminary budgets for two or more concepts so they can make fully informed comparisons of their options.

PHASE II: CONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS

In the second phase of design we will develop working drawings for your remodeling project. Depending on the type of remodel or addition that is being planned, these drawings may include a site plan, demolition plan, floor plan, exterior elevations, and any necessary structural plans and details. We will also design all the cabinets and lighting for your project. If your project involves major structural modifications, we will consult with a Structural Engineer. Our finished plans will comply with City of Sacramento Building Department and Local Building Codes, and they will take you all the way through the permit phase of remodeling. We will help you choose your fixtures and finishes, providing you with a “shopping list” that outlines all the items needed to complete the job. Our clients have found the shopping list to be invaluable. It provides details of all our favorite showrooms – local vendors who will quote you our wholesale prices – as well as helpful suggestions regarding various products.

Construction

THE BUDGET

Whether you have worked with us or with an outside architect or designer to develop your plans, we will prepare a detailed construction budget and a construction contract. At this stage, the budget will be modified to reflect the cost of materials that have been chosen, but it may still contain several allowances.

GETTING STARTED

An experienced project manager or lead carpenter will be assigned to your project and will be responsible for daily communication with you. Our crew will ensure that your home is protected, and that the construction area is contained and separated from the rest of your home. We emphasize ongoing communication, and we are always available to discuss the many details that are unique to your project.

CONSTRUCTION

Unlike the reality TV shows, we will not have all our workers converge on your house at the same time and finish your major remodel in one week. We will, however, have workers on the job virtually every day until the project is completed. Our crew does demolition, foundation work, rough carpentry, and finish carpentry. For other trades, we rely on a trusted group of subcontractors, several of whom have been part of our team for over 15 years. We can promise you that when things go wrong – and they will – our team will work together to solve every problem.

All the cabinetry for your project will be custom built at our cabinet shop on Deeble Street. Mark still remains a hands-on woodworker, and he oversees all aspects of cabinet construction and installation. Our custom cabinets are the highest quality, yet very competitively priced.

BILLING

Our billing system is straightforward. We do not collect a deposit before construction. Billing is semi-monthly, and we will only bill you for work that has been completed. For allowance items, you will be billed the actual cost of the item. The only time we will charge you for “extras” will be if you decide to expand the scope of the project, or if we run into structural or mechanical situations that could not be discovered before demolition.

FINISHING UP

We take pride in our reputation of consistently finishing on time and on budget. Our crew will complete all the final details of the project, and you will not receive a final billing until we have successfully completed all aspects of the job to your satisfaction.
 

TESTIMONIALS

Dear Mark and Maura,

It is hard to believe that we started talking about this project more than 3 years ago. The end result is better than we imagined and more than we had hoped for. We still are amazed by the steady hand you kept over the project through 2 surgeries, falling trees, flood waters rising, injured workers, and babies being born. We are sure that this is a job that you will remember! We can’t thank you enough for your expertise and focus, and your friendship through it all. Cheers to both of you!

Sincerely,
Shirlee,
Teneighth Way

Mark - 

We can't tell you enough how lucky we feel to have been able to work with you and your team on our 'dream kitchen.' We will toast to you often over the years in our new cooking quarters!

Phil and Karleen
26th  Street

Mark and Maura,

Thank you so much for the great work you and your team did. I love the new kitchen and bath! From start to finish, your commitment to quality and excellence came through.

With much gratitude (and satisfaction,)

Joyce
Markham Way

Dear Mark and Maura,

We just wanted to say thank you again for our beautiful house. We couldn’t be happier with the result! The design and attention to detail are complimented every time someone comes over. It was a pleasure working with you and your crew every step of the way.

Thanks again!

Tom and Desa
38th Street

Maura and Mark,

Thank you so much for the awesome job on my kitchen! From the beginning you provided professional and personalized service. Everyone with whom I had contact also was very professional and friendly. All did exceptional work. The experience was beyond my expectations. Thank you!

Karen
9th Avenue

Mark and Maura,

You came to us highly recommended – and you leave us highly recommended! We have learned through this remodel that is no easy accomplishment. Thanks for your straightforwardness and help throughout this project.

Nancy and Alan
Sutterville Road

Dear Mark and Crew,

Thank you all for doing such a great rehab on the garage. You were so helpful and respectful of our needs and personal property. You are a one of a kind group!

Best wishes, 

Bob and Linda

Dear Mark,

Thank you so much for remodeling our kitchen and bathroom. We are very happy with how everything has turned out. Things could not have gone more smoothly, and we highly recommend you! Your guys were great to work with. We truly appreciate the hard work and the care taken on our project.

Thanks again,

Joe and Daphne
Robertson Way