Builders are generally contacted when architectural and structural drawings are completed, and the permit process is in progress. However, choosing a builder early, and including them in the design phase of your project, will in most cases keep project expense, and project duration forecasts, in line with

your realistic expectations.

In the process of construction projects, one of the first items to be addressed between a builder and a client is the establishment of a mutually agreeable project budget. This budget should be based not only on the plans and specifications provided by the homeowners, but also upon the builder’s experience in executing projects of similar scope, and architectural detail.  Once a budget is produced, and agreed upon as viable for all parties involved, it becomes an integral element of the agreement between the homeowners and contractor, and will serve as a tool to guide the project toward completion within the established budget, provided that the scope of work doesn’t change significantly throughout the course of the project. 

Ultimately, the accuracy of a project budget provided by a contractor is directly correlated to the amount of detail provided in the architectural drawings and specifications. The more information in these documents that is detailed and specific, the more the contractor is enabled to provide accurate budget numbers - it’s that simple.

In recent years I’ve been seeing a trend of plans being produced with far less detail than what was common several years ago. This makes producing accurate budgets and bidding increasingly difficult, and leaves much to

interpretation, which unfortunately often leaves homeowners in a position where they’re not comparing apples to apples when comparing competitive bids, and possibly to where their vision of the finished product may not be in line with what is actually specified, or not specified, in the plan.

So although the price of your project should be an important factor in the selection of the professionals you select to build or remodel your home, it should not be the determining factor. Remember that in most cases you are signing up for a several month, and sometimes longer, relationship with the people you choose to contract with. There are many other important factors to consider in making your selection, which include, but are not limited to: personality compatibility, honesty, trust, and a proven track record of completing high quality projects always helps.

The bottom line is that among the reputable builders of high-end, quality projects in the area, prices should be very comparable. The main reason for that is because many of us use many of the same subcontractors

and suppliers, and their pricing is all very competitive. So price should ultimately come down to the amount of markup a builder charges for his or her services, and how efficiently the project is run.

And although our prices must always remain competitive, our prices are rarely among the lowest. Our crews, and all of our subcontractors and suppliers, are professionals who take pride in their work, and live locally. Everyone needed to complete your project operates within close proximity; they will always be accessible to keep your project moving along seamlessly, and they will be around long after your project is complete.

I like to begin my relationship with prospective clients by addressing the following items early on: