Frequently Asked Questions |
Q. What is Design/Build?A. Design/Build involves collaboration between Architect and Builder from the very start of the project. Instead of the Architect designing a project and then going out and getting several bids and hoping they will fit into the homeowner’s budget; the Builder and the Architect work hand in hand to assure that the project is within budget. See our process Q. Why choose Design/Build?A. Design Build has several advantages over traditional Design/Bid work. First since the Architect and Builder are working together from the beginning there is less room for misunderstanding or misinterpretation of the plans. Problems that do arise can be solved quickly and efficiently without the finger pointing and costs that occur in bid work. With D/B there is a single point of contact and responsibility for the homeowner. Time and money are saved by eliminating the bid process. Projects move from design to construction much faster. With design, engineering and construction provided by one source we are better able to control design, quality , and cost. See the Design/Build flow chart Q. Why Choose Henderson for my Design/Build project?A. Award winning design and construction Q. How does the design phase of the project work?A. The design phase begins with the preliminary project evaluation meeting. This entails general evaluation of the existing structure, and determining the homeowner’s wants and needs. After your goals are discussed and any challenges addressed, you decide if Henderson Design is a good fit for you. The next step involves measuring the space, drawing existing floor plans (as built) and developing architectural schematics and preliminary cost ranges. Upon your approval of the preliminary presentation the entire design development and full evaluation phases are set into motion to finalize your design. You can anticipate a total of three to four meetings in order to finalize design development and your selections, which will result in a fixed cost construction contract. Q. Do you give free estimates?A. No, we do not charge for the initial consultation in our design center, but once it is determined that there is a good fit between our company and your needs and you decide you want to proceed; a deposit towards the design cost is required. The initial deposit is determined from our “rough estimate” of the construction cost. As the design process evolves a more accurate cost range will be determined and the design fee will be based on a percentage of this. After the design phase is completed, you will be presented with a fixed cost construction contract. Q. Do you come to our house?A. Initially it is more important for us to discuss your needs, wants, and budget then it is for us to visit your house. The purpose of the initial meeting is to establish a relationship and to demonstrate that we are the right company for your project. We will complete a full sight evaluation and measurement of existing conditions after a design agreement has been signed. Q. What do I need for the initial consultation?A. The most important thing for the homeowner is to have a definitive idea of what they hope to accomplish with their project and a budget. A list of “must haves” and a “wish list” are also helpful. You should try and locate a copy of your building plat as this is a requirement for almost any building permit. It is a good idea to take a few digital pictures of the exterior of the house and the areas you are considering remodeling. You may want to start a project scrap book, of pictures from magazines, of houses, appliances, bath fixtures, etc. that appeal to you. This will help us get a sense of your tastes and allow us to tailor your project for you. Q. Do you work in my neighborhood?A. We specialize in working in the close in neighborhoods of Arlington, Falls Church, McLean, Great Falls, Bethesda, Potomac, Vienna and Alexandria. We are licensed in MD, VA, and D.C. and will take on selected projects outside of these neighborhoods on a case by case basis. Q. Why do I need to fill out the contact form?A. We work by appointment only so that we can assign the proper resources to you and your project. The more information we have up front the better prepared we can be to meet with you. We know your time is as important to you as ours is to us, therefore it makes sense to be as efficient as possible. Your answers to the questionnaire help guide our design team throughout the process. Q. Why do all decision makers need to come to all meetings?A. Quite simply, for clarity and efficiency. There are hundreds of decisions on even the smallest project. We simply can not rely on one person to relay all of the information. We do not want to spend time repeating ourselves or spend time working on a design only to have one person say, “That’s not what I wanted”. The remodeling of your house is a major decision it is worth taking the time up front to be sure it is done the way you want. In the long run it will save everyone time and money. Q. What will my project cost?A. This is the most asked question and the hardest to answer. How much does a pair of jeans cost? Tastes vary from Old Navy to Nieman Marcus and from traditional (Levis) to flashy (Dolce and Gabana). In our nearly three decades in the remodeling industry we have focused on materials and design that provide value and quality regardless of the price point. This is where the Design/Build process thrives. The design is tailored to your budget from the very start. Q. How do I determine my budget?A. The first step is to contact your bank or a mortgage broker ( First Savings Mortgage ) and determine the equity in your house. Give yourself a financial check up and determine what kind of payment you are comfortable with. Ask yourself how long you intend to stay in your current house. The longer the intended stay the more practical a major renovation may be. If considering a large addition or major remodel you may want to spend some time looking at the real estate market to evaluate how much a house with the features you want would cost or how far outside the beltway you would have to move. This will also help give you an idea of the return you can inspect on your remodeling investment. Q. How long does construction take?A. There are many variables that determine how long a project will take. The start time is dependant on the specifics of the particular project and the availability of the selected materials. Generally construction begins 4-12 weeks after the contract has been signed. This allows us to obtain the permits and order items such as cabinets, windows and doors. Typically construction time for additions ranges between 12-16 weeks. Obviously the larger and more complex a job the longer it will take. In our experience the biggest factor in determining the completion date for a project is the homeowner’s ability to make timely decisions and meet our deadlines. We pride ourselves on meeting the construction schedule that we set for you during the design and development phase of the project. Q. Is the owner responsible for securing permits?A. No, HDB is responsible for securing all building permits. The homeowner needs only supply a property survey / plat of the home. In neighborhoods where parking permits are required it is the responsibility of the homeowner to obtain temporary parking passes. It is also wise to check with the home owners association. Q. How are payments made for my construction work?A. In your construction contract terms and conditions this will be clearly outlined. Payments are tailored to size, materials, and man hours needed to produce your project. An acceptance fee will be the first payment upon acceptance of a construction contract. Thereafter progress payments are outlined for when contract milestones are met. Example: If inclement weather delays your production, payments will also be delayed until outlined milestones are met. Q. Who will be my main Contact for Construction?A. Once a contract is signed, the project manager will be your main contact. All correspondence involving your contract should be directed to the project manager as he is the one responsible for making sure it gets completed correctly. In addition to the project manager you will be assigned a lead carpenter. The lead carpenter is responsible for the day to day supervision of all workers on the project. The project manager and lead carpenter are Henderson employees who work closely together to schedule the arrival of the materials and the scheduling of the subcontractors to keep the job running efficiently. Q. Who will be doing the work?A. In addition to the project manager and the lead carpenter, there will be additional Henderson carpenters and craftsman performing much of the work on the project. We also employ several subcontractors on most jobs. In our nearly 30 years of business we have assembled a core group of reliable and highly skilled subcontractors that we use on almost every project. All plumbing, electrical and mechanical work will be performed by licensed and insured subcontractors. Other specialty contractors will be used when required for your project. |