WHAT IS DESIGN-BUILD?

• The Design-Build approach to building brings together professional design and construction expertise.
  
  
• You the homeowner would deal with only one firm from design through completion.
  
  
• This is in contrast to an approach that separates the design and construction of a project: where the firm doing the construction enters the project only after completion of the design and with no prior involvement in, or knowledge of, the project.
  
  
  

• Kingston Design Remodeling handles both design and construction, which means you enjoy greater continuity of service.
  
  
• This joining of the design and construction functions can save you time, money and aggravation and can result in a better quality product.
  
  
• Kingston who is actually doing the construction is able to use its two decades of construction expertise throughout the design phase of the project to assure that numerous construction details unique to your job are properly accounted for in the design.
  
  
• Construction errors and delays are minimized because detailed design and construction drawings are prepared under the watchful eye of the contractor making sure that they are complete, detailed, and understandable in order to streamline construction and minimize uncertainty.
  
  
• An experienced contractor such as Kingston can give you the opportunity in the design phase to save money by assuring that the design matches your dreams, tastes and budget as perfectly as possible.
  
  
• An experienced contractor who knows construction techniques and the costs of labor, materials, subs and construction can find ways to save money during the design phase of the project.
  
  
• Projects are designed that are feasible and cost effective.
  
• Costly change orders and surprises later in a job are minimized by taking into account construction details during the design phase.
  
  
• Communication is seamless which avoids oversights and dropped balls.
  
  
• You save your personal time by dealing and building a relationship with one firm, not two.
  
  
• Your job time is shortened by avoiding delays after design in finding a contractor and giving that firm time to familiarize themselves with your project. 
  
  
• Upfront education on the entire remodeling process with alignment of expectations.
  
  
• The budget is considered during design which avoids sticker shock and "back to the drawing board" that frequently happens when contractors are brought in after design is "completed".
  
  
• Familiarity and knowledge of your project grows from day-one of design straight through to the last punch list item.
  
  
• You have someone to rely on for the entire remodel process.
  
  
• More time can be devoted to you  and your project to assure highest quality design and construction.
  
  
• Product selection is done prior to construction to minimize changes and cost increases.
  
  
• Creates realistic expectations.
  
  
• All the details are given attention in the design, the estimate and the construction.
  
  
• Guaranteed quality.
  
  
• You are given a greater opportunity to develop a level of trust and confidence and a working relationship with your builder.
  
  
• Your remodeling experience will be a positive one.
  
  
• Your project will result in the best value.
  
  

WHAT IS THE GOAL OF A PROFESSIONAL DESIGN-BUILD PROCESS?

     Kingston Design Remodeling  specializes in taking clients from project inception to project completion.  In the Design and Product Specification and Estimate phases, our goal is to spell out as many details as possible so that we obtain an accurate estimate.  Without a detailed design, detailed product specification, and an accurate, detailed, written estimate, a remodeling dream can turn into a remodeling nightmare.  A detailed, accurate estimate then leads to a smooth transition to the construction phase without a lot of unforeseen changes. 

By eliminating the potential for changes and doing the details ahead of time, actual project costs can be determined.  Changes are very costly and designing projects and selecting products during the Construction phase is even more costly.  The Design – Build process saves you money in the long run.

     Creating a realistic budget and working towards the targeted budget is another very important goal in the Design & Product Specification phase.  Designers, architects, draftsmen and other design personnel, may design projects without ever addressing the potential costs.

     If costs are insufficiently addressed, it is unlikely that a financially realistic project will result.  In far too many cases, designers, architects, draftsman and other design personnel are not familiar with construction costs, and in many more cases, they may not know how to build.  Unfortunately, the budget is not considered and the project ends up costing more than the homeowner can afford.  In addition, these design personnel are not typically trained in the entire remodel process.  They may perform their design, and then leave the contractor and the homeowner to interpret potentially vague and inadequate plans.  There is no continuity to the entire process.  Many important details may be missing.

     Kingston Design Remodeling's goal is to create a realistic budget from the beginning and then work towards meeting the budget.  Our goal is to address ALL of the details, as best we can, ahead of time.

     We have designed and built numerous projects in the DC metro area and bring our expertise to you and your home.  We look forward to working with you and providing you with the quality and smooth remodeling experience for which we are known.  We will guide you through the entire process – a process that can be very frustrating for most homeowners should they choose the wrong approach.

WHAT IS THE HOMEOWNER'S PART IN THE PROCESS?

     In essence, the Design – Build process allows the homeowner to get what they want, not what the design personnel wants, since the homeowner is thoroughly involved in the Design & Product Specification phase of their project.  It takes a good deal of our time and effort to design a project that is both very functional and aesthetically pleasing.  We want to take that time with you.  We are in the best position to guide and assist you in the Design and Product Specification phase.  We also appreciate your effort in making the decisions required for your project.  We realize how much time and energy goes into moving through the process.  Our goal is to ease the burden of this process through education, communication and professionalism.

"I DON'T NEED DESIGN - I'M ONLY REMOVING & REPLACING -I KNOW WHAT I WANT - I DON'T NEED A PERMIT"

     Frequently, many homeowners are under the impression that they don’t need some of the important parts of the process, like a permit, design drawings, detailed product selection, or a detailed drawing.  Unfortunately, these misconceptions can lead to trouble.

     Kingston Design Remodeling recommends that a permit be obtained for most remodeling work, since, by law, a permit is required for structural, plumbing, electrical and mechanical changes.  Your local building department will require that detailed drawings be presented to them in order to obtain a permit.  These drawings are required, even for removal and replacement remodeling work.

     Your local building department wants to see these drawings and inspect the work to ensure that the work performed meets code requirements.  In addition, these drawings help to ensure that the homeowner and the contractor have the same understanding of the project and assist in leading to detailed product selection and a detailed estimate.

WHAT IS ALL OF THIS GOING TO COST ME?

     Design fees will vary depending on the scope of work desired.  We need to talk about your project and actually visit your home to get an idea of the scope of your work.  We can then give you a detailed design agreement.  Our design agreements are based on a flat fee with hourly parameters for projects similar to yours.  Design agreements for additions are broken down into two phases.

     Estimating construction costs is quite a difficult task today, since there are so many different types of designs and so many different types of products.  It is extremely difficult for anyone to guess as to project costs.  This is the goal of doing all of the details ahead of time – to find out exactly how much it will cost.

     However, in order to get to the final costs, a detailed design must be completed and all products need to be specified which then leads to the completion of a detailed estimate.  With that said, we will likely be able to give you ballpark ranges of typical costs, or information on typical costs for projects in our area based on our extensive experience in undertaking such projects.  Ultimately, what you can afford and what you want to spend will be our guide, but if these amounts are not consistent with your expectations of your project, we will let you know.