Planning for a successful remodel, renovation, or new build
Black Oak Construction plans and reviews every aspect of the remodeling or construction process before we begin any project. Once the drawings & designs are approved for construction and all materials & finishes are selected, the planning process begins. Depending on the size and scope of the remodeling project, we may schedule an on-site subcontractor walk-through. This allows our subs and suppliers to view the project first hand to accurately estimate their costs. It also allows the client to meet some of the remodeling professionals who will be working in their home or building. Once the subcontractors and suppliers have reviewed their responsibilities, we will assemble the Scope of Work. The Scope of Work is a detailed explanation of the work to be completed and the materials to be used. The Scope of Work assembly is used in both new construction and remodeling & renovation. A meeting to review the project budget with the client is the next step. If needed, budget modifications can easily be made now.
The scope of the project or material selections can be changed to increase or decrease the price of the project, based on the client’s needs. Once the project budget is approved by the client, the plans and scope of work will be reviewed once more by the Black Oak production team. A preliminary production schedule is then created based on Black Oak’s current production load. After the project manager reviews the project details, the Material & Finish Selection Sheets, Scope of Work, and Construction Agreement are printed out. The Black Oak team then meets with the client for a final review of all documents. The preliminary construction schedule is also reviewed to determine any timing issues or problems will need to be dealt with. Black Oak’s detailed remodeling, renovation, & construction planning means fewer surprises for both the client and the contractor once construction begins.
HOW LONG DOES THE DESIGN & PLAN PROCESS TAKE?
The length of the planning process depends mostly on the size of the project. Clients typically can expect to spend somewhere between 4 to 12 weeks on the Design and Plan phases of a remodeling project. Obviously, it will take longer to design and plan a large custom home than a small bathroom or kitchen renovation. Some clients also prefer to explore more material or design options than others. Black Oak’s design agreement is very flexible and can be formatted to fit the needs of each individual client.
WILL THE COST OF THE PROJECT
INCREASE ONCE THE WORK BEGINS?
Black Oak Construction typically uses a “fixed price” contract for most construction projects. That means the price stated in the Construction Agreement is the final price that will be paid unless the scope of the project is changed. By selecting all materials and finishes during the Design phase, Black Oak can assemble a very accurate budget for any project. The Black Oak Construction team will assemble a detailed, itemized Scope of Work that describes exactly what is going to happen and what materials will be used in each phase of construction. This allows us to establish a precise Contract Price for each project. However, changes to finishes and materials may still be made by the client once the remodeling or building project begins. Each change is documented, priced, and authorized by the client before the scope of work is altered. It’s important to keep in mind that changes will not only affect the price of the remodeling or building project, but will likely affect the production schedule as well.
HOW LONG WILL CONSTRUCTION OF THE PROJECT TAKE?
Construction time is affected by factors such as the complexity of the project, availability of materials, impact on the client’s lifestyle, and the time of year. Black Oak clients are provided with a copy of the project schedule at the completion of the planning phase and will receive updates throughout the building phase of the project. Most remodeling and building projects, without any change orders, are completed within a week of the original scheduled date. Occasionally, projects are completed ahead of or behind schedule due to changes in material availability, weather, or subcontractor schedule changes.