the process
The process begins with a personal interview and a free one hour, on-site design consultation where we discuss your wants, your ideas, your wish list, and get a focus on your taste and style. I will follow up with a budget range which includes an outline of the work discussed and a budget range (from the target low to a not to exceed high) for all anticipated costs. This gives you an anticipated range of construction cost to work with during the design phase. The Excel format budget range proposal is the basis for budgeting and refining details so the end result of the "Design Proposal" can become a fully itemized and line item priced "Construction Proposal".
If the initial budget range estimate falls within your comfort zone we proceed to the next step which is to approve and fund with a deposit check the Preconstruction Design Service Agreement only (not construction) and I begin to produce Auto-CAD drawings and product specifications to define the project parameters. We work through the choices for fixture and finish material for plumbing and electric fixtures, tile, counters and cabinetry, hardware, flooring, paint. etc. We hammer out the scope of work items and budget for all material and labor.
During the design phase we will have phone calls and site meetings to go over your project. The work breakdown will provide us a workable, easy to see layout of all estimated construction costs broken down by room, by trade, and by task. I show you all my costs for material, equipment, labor, company overhead and even my profit. It is all open book so there are no surprises or hidden costs.
The end product of the 'Design Services Proposal' is a full set of Auto-CAD drawings and a fully developed, line-itemed Excel schedule of material and labor. This gives us the information needed to finalize an exact, lump sum cost "Construction Proposal''. This separate construction proposal is reviewed and approved by you before you agree to the scope or spend any money at all on construction. You are in complete control. I work with you through the design and advise on the costs as the design progresses, and you are in control of budget and approvals. I use my 40 plus years experience to guide you and coordinate all facets of the project from initial concepts through design, through construction to the final turn key polished product. I am your one point contact for all issues start to finish. It is a fun and exciting process with many interesting stages along the way. My goal is to make the entire experience a fun experience. I want you and everyone else involved with the project to say in the end that this was a great remodel experience and a lot of fun. This is doable because I love what we do and that's catching.
If the initial budget range estimate falls within your comfort zone we proceed to the next step which is to approve and fund with a deposit check the Preconstruction Design Service Agreement only (not construction) and I begin to produce Auto-CAD drawings and product specifications to define the project parameters. We work through the choices for fixture and finish material for plumbing and electric fixtures, tile, counters and cabinetry, hardware, flooring, paint. etc. We hammer out the scope of work items and budget for all material and labor.
During the design phase we will have phone calls and site meetings to go over your project. The work breakdown will provide us a workable, easy to see layout of all estimated construction costs broken down by room, by trade, and by task. I show you all my costs for material, equipment, labor, company overhead and even my profit. It is all open book so there are no surprises or hidden costs.
The end product of the 'Design Services Proposal' is a full set of Auto-CAD drawings and a fully developed, line-itemed Excel schedule of material and labor. This gives us the information needed to finalize an exact, lump sum cost "Construction Proposal''. This separate construction proposal is reviewed and approved by you before you agree to the scope or spend any money at all on construction. You are in complete control. I work with you through the design and advise on the costs as the design progresses, and you are in control of budget and approvals. I use my 40 plus years experience to guide you and coordinate all facets of the project from initial concepts through design, through construction to the final turn key polished product. I am your one point contact for all issues start to finish. It is a fun and exciting process with many interesting stages along the way. My goal is to make the entire experience a fun experience. I want you and everyone else involved with the project to say in the end that this was a great remodel experience and a lot of fun. This is doable because I love what we do and that's catching.
NEXT STEPS:
To move forward with the Design phase of the Design / Build process the first step is to zero in on a style and look for your rooms. Cabinets, plumbing fixtures, tile, counters etc.... And in this business it is definitely true that "One picture is worth a thousand words". So we start shopping for your style and look.
Find and save photos of rooms you like from www.pinterest.com, or www.houzz.com, or www.bburnscompany.com, or Google Images. Pick a few room photos for a starting point. Look for style and color that resonates with your dream room. Save to an “Idea book” in Pinterest and Houzz or print a few to review with me.
Cabinets:
Go see, touch, and feel a range of cabinets. I can accompany you to some of my preferred showrooms here in Bethesda area and they will showcase the 2 or 3 manufacturers they carry. No showroom actually manufacturers cabinets, they have deals with a manufacturer or two to carry those cabinets and only those cabinets. I work with all manufacture reps.
The first thing you do is focus in on what style door you like, raised panel, flat panel, or flush. Then pick a color and finish sheen. There is of course a considerably larger selection on display at the big box stores, as they have the floor space to handle that. You might want to just check them out as a starting point as there are a lot of styles and colors and sheen's to consider at first and thats easier to do with actual samples in your hand. Home Depot and Loews carry about 6 or 7 manufacturers each. Boutique showrooms carry 2 maybe 3 manufacturers. Remember every manufacturer has an inexpensive grade, a mid-level grade and an expensive grade product. All you need to do at this point is pick the style and color you like and I know how to insure we get the better quality without busting the budget.
The niche I prefer is the high end of the mid range. Very good quality without busting the bank on custom pricing. I know how to specify the upgrades we will want, and are worth the upgrade cost. Solid plywood boxes not compressed particle board. Glued and screwed joints not just stapled. Dovetail drawer fronts, soft close hardware of doors and drawers. Things like that.
Here are my preferred supply vendors.
Ceramic Tile:
- Mosaic Tile, 11724 Parklawn Dr, Rockville, 301-881-2520
- Morris Tile 9132 Gaither Rd, Gaithersburg 301-670-4222
- The Tile Shop 4530 Wisconsin Ave MW, DC 202-868-4212
- Stone and Tile World, 12260 Wilkins Ave, Rockville, MD 301-231-7777
Websites:
- See my About Us page for more design showroom links.
- http://www.morristile.com/Mtd/Residential.html
- https://www.tileshop.com/category/inspiration/my-tile-shop.do
- http://www.mosaictileco.com/Products.aspx
Stone:
- M&T Stone and Granite, 5004 Boiling Brook Pkwy, Rockville 301-605-1082
- Stone and Tile World, 122260 Wilkins Ave., Rockville. 301-231-7777
- Stone Surfaces, 15700 Crabs Branch Way, Rockville, 301-840-0080
- Washington Stone and Granite, 10088 Tyler Ct, Ijamsville, 301-831-1323-1
Plumbing (& vanity) Showrooms:
- Plumbing Parts Plus, 12172 Nebel St, Rockville, 301-881-1001
- Bath & Kitchen Showroom., 12104 Wilkins Ave, Rockville, 301-816-2990
- Thos. Summerville, 8530 Connecticut Ave, Chevy Chase, MD 301-215-6310
- Ferguson, 800-A East Gude Dr, Rockville, 301-424-1393 (expensive)
Web shopping:
Lighting fixtures are best shopped for on line. Much better selections:
https://www.efaucets.com/Bathroom-Fixtures.asp
https://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Bathroom-Furniture/1454/cat.html?TID=HISP:00:LeftNav-1:BathroomFurniture
https://www.decorplanet.com/modern-bathroom-vanities
http://www.plumbingpartsplus.com/gallery