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Basement remodeling process
Here is an outline of the design/remodel process at ETI Remodeling.
 
  What is the Remodeling Process?
Can we afford to do this?
Who is going to organize all of this?
What do I look for in a contractor?
  See our learning center
Bidding your project!
  The Construction Contract
Ready, Set, Go!
Construction begins!
Welcome to your new home!
 
ETI Remodeling is a basement spesialist contractor, we can work with you on your project from the preliminary design and estimating phase through construction. The design to build process starts with ideas—yours and ours. We work together to incorporate your list of wants and needs into design concepts and a preliminary budget.
What is the Remodeling Process?        

The remodeling process can vary immensely depending on the type of project you're thinking of doing, but the process is similar among most basement projects.

Your remodeling project begins with an idea on how you can use your basement to fit your and your family's needs in a best way. Perhaps you need a quiet place to work from or you need to separate the rest of the house from noisy activities. Whatever the case maybe, now is the time to talk to a professional to get an idea of your design options and budget. At this point, you'd want a remodeling contractor to visit your home to discuss the possibilities.
  Can we afford to do this?
Money of course will play a big part in your remodeling project. Most people ask, "How much does it cost?" That's a tough, if not impossible; question to answer, especially if you haven't figured out what "it" is yet. A more appropriate question to ask is, "How much can we afford?" It will take some digging to get the answer, but ultimately you'll have a number that you can be confident giving to a lender, a remodeling contractor or design professional when the time is right. The financial parameters or budget of your project should be determined early in the process. Setting a budget from the start helps avoid the disappointment of having to scale back on your remodeling dreams or covering burgeoning costs you didn't anticipate.
Who is going to organize all of this?

Design/Build is a concept developed to benefit the homeowner with their remodeling project by providing both quality design and construction services within the same company. Using a design-builder, either a contractor who provides design services or an architect/designer who provides contracting services, is one way to simplify a complex project. A design/build contractor will be able to see your project through from start to finish, keeping design, engineering and budget in mind. With design/build, the design is made to your budget, not the other way around.

At this point ETI is going to organize the entire project. The responsibilities of the project coordinator are varied and wide ranging:

  • Understand building construction, both today's techniques and those used decades ago
  • Plan the job, step by step
  • Obtain or prepare drawings and apply for building permits
Schedule for fast completion, juggling all the elements. Product delivery, labor and subs, inspections by building department officials, and allowing for the unanticipated, like weather delays, are all factors that influence the complexity of maintaining the budget and completing the project on time.
What do I look for in a contractor?
  • You must be comfortable with the Remodeler and able to easily communicate. They will be spending many hours in your home, so it's important you feel comfortable with him from the outset.
  • You should be able to work together, combining your ideas and his expertise to turn your vision into reality.
They will provide written specifications and a contract that lays out the scope of the work, including when it will start and approximately when it will end.
Bidding your project!      
When purchasing a new car, you're pricing a product that you can see what it looks like and you can test drive it to see how it feels. When a homeowner purchases remodeling services, he or she is buying a concept and process and won't see the finished product until well after the contract is signed. This is the reason that bid shopping works for automobiles but not for remodeling projects. You can ask three dealers to price a specific make and model car, and be fairly certain you are comparing like products. But with remodeling, the products could differ significantly. There can be many reasons for a low bid including inferior materials, poor craftsmanship, inadequate safety precautions, and lack of insurance and licensing. Or if you're lucky, the bid may just be from an inexperienced Remodeler who's never done a job like yours before. Many factors other than price need to be considered before the best contractor for the specific project is found.
The Construction Contract

Once the plans, specifications and budget are agreed upon, it is time to execute the construction contract. Because every remodeling project is different, our company has a standard contract agreement that will be modified to clearly define the requirements of your project. This agreement has several purposes.

  • It will provide a written definition of your project, including all details. Beyond the legal ramifications, a contract formally expresses terms mutually agreed upon concerning scope of work, responsibilities, price, and materials as well as other items.
  • It specifies how payments or draws will be scheduled, invoiced and paid.
  • It addresses how change orders are to be handled.
It assigns responsibility for providing particular items and specifying which items are not included in the scope of work.
Ready, Set, Go!    
In the final analysis, choosing a Remodeler is a lot like choosing a doctor. While qualifications and costs need to be considered carefully, there are many qualified professionals in every price range. From the pool of qualified people, choose the person you feel most comfortable with. If you're a "get to the bottom line" type, you won't be happy with a Remodeler whose style is chatty and informal. And if you want to know all the details, don't choose a Remodeler who gives you one-word answers. Choose a Remodeling Professional who pays attention to your concerns and responds to your style; choose the company you feel you can trust.
Construction begins!
With the contract signed, actual construction is ready to begin. Having your home remodeled is uniquely different from having a new home built. With remodeling, your home becomes the worksite: the demolition of existing spaces (when necessary) will begin. Once all demolition has been completed, the new construction will start. During construction, the remodeling contractor will organize the various trades (electrical, heating and air conditioning, plumbing, etc.) so that they come in at the right times to perform their work. A successful remodeling project will depend upon mutual trust and consistent communication between you and our staff.
Welcome to your new home!  
Consistent and open communication between you and our staff will enhance your understanding of the process, provide an opportunity to exchange ideas and ultimately help to make the experience a positive one for everyone involved. And finally --- expect to be pleased by the end result. You'll find that our well-planned, well-executed remodeling project will make you smile for years to come.
 
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