How We Work
How We Work
Key aspects
Integrated.
At Highland Ridge, we're design-build specialists for residential remodeling projects. Design-build means that all of the key aspects of your project are integrated within a single team — from design to warranty. This approach eliminates finger-pointing and ensures the vision you started with equals the home you ended up with — your vision stays perfectly intact, down to the smallest detail. This approach is always less stressful. You only have one contract and one main point of contact which means quick on-the-fly changes, and consistent communications keeping things within budget. As your one-stop shop to make your dream come true, you and Highland Ridge develop a caring, efficient partnership.
Our Process
Remodeling has a lot of moving parts and we know it can be confusing and stressful. Ongoing project communications is key to reducing stress. Here is an overview of how the remodeling process with Highland Ridge works for you.
Step 1 - Let's Talk
During this phase, we’ll get acquainted to see if we are a fit for each other. Since you are reading this document, that process is already underway. We’ll do a deep dive into your vision and make sure that we “get it.” We’ll talk about your budget in relation to your vision, consider possible options and explain how payments to us work. We’ll talk schedule, your role in the project and what you can expect from us. We’ll be unfailingly honest — telling you what will be fun — and what won’t. And we’ll leave you with a complete guidance kit full of useful information to help you understand not only who we are but also how projects like yours work.
Step 2 - The Design Agreement
Prior to entering into a Construction Agreement together, there will be pre-construction processes for which there will be fees. These fees are separate from the construction contract. These pre-construction processes will be handled with what is called a Design Agreement. Your Design Agreement will usually include costs for doing a detailed estimate that assures you a quality, completed project at a guaranteed price. The Design Agreement will usually cover design services and sometimes some demolition and discovery work if required to create a guaranteed project price for you. The Design Agreement does not obligate you to enter into a Construction Agreement with us and you own the results of the design work covered by the Design Agreement.
Step 3 - Project Development
With all or most of the results of the Design Agreement work in hand, we will meet with you to talk through the project. We will take all the time you want to be comfortable and confident. We’ll go over the scope of work, project plan, progress payments, timelines, logistics and concerns. You will meet your personal project manager and discuss how communications can be handled.
Step 4 - Construction Agreement
We will now have all the information to provide a guaranteed price for your project, you will have signedoff on the design and production plan. You’ve met your project manager and know who will be doing what to whom. We will provide an Agreement for our mutual signatures. We will go over and explain every deal
of our straightforward Construction Agreement.
Step 5 - Project Management
During the building phase, we will handle all the details of ordering materials, scheduling, oversite and coordination. We will diligently keep you up to date on progress and issues.
Step 6 - In-Process Changes
No matter how carefully we plan your project together you will probably want to make some changes along the way. We are prepared to cheerfully accommodate any changes you want to make. Our Agreement will explain how costs associated with your changes will be handled.
Step 7 - Project Completion
During this completion phase, we will meticulously inspect to ensure that the craftsmanship level has been maintained throughout the project. We will do a final review meeting with you to answer any operational questions regarding appliances, heating and cooling systems and any other operational questions. We will do a final clean-up to the highest standards possible both within the project and anything on the property that we touched. We will set up with a document for you to list anything you might run across that wasn’t done right. And finally, you will benefit from our industry-leading three-year warranty on our work.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Design Agreement allows our team to develop your project for construction. We’ll work with you to create a design, develop plans, make selections & more. Doing the pre-construction homework up front prepares us for a much smoother construction process overall.
We develop your project from point A to point B. We work with In-house of independent designers, architects and engineers to create a special one-off remodel. You’ll only pay the general contractor for services rendered and have an ally you can count on throughout the process.
Remodeling can be dusty and noisy during construction. We do our best to minimize the effects of construction. If you are remodeling a single bathroom or kitchen we can set up a temporary area for you to cook during the remodel. If we are touching multiple areas in your home we recommend vacating during construction. If you have nowhere to have peace and quiet a remodel can get tiresome quickly.
Buildertrend is a cloud-based project management system that helps us coordinate and communicate during your remodel. You’ll have your very own website where we’ll store documents, photos, specifications, schedules, current financials, and more.
We use both in-house and specialty subcontractors to complete your remodel. Some trades like electrical, plumbing and mechanical require special certifications and licensing.
There are plenty of ways to cut corners to create a lower price. Competitive bidding rewards the lowest price and offers absolutely no advantage to good workmanship. We prefer to do things the best way. “Best” means, in our opinion, the most effective combination of price to performance – getting the most bang for your buck.
We’ll get to work building out your project website. We’ll set up a meeting to walk you through your project website and how everything works. We’ll prepare shopping lists, production schedules, subcontractor bids and more. Once we have our bids back and selections made our team will prepare a complete job book and contract for you to review.
Yes, a 3 Year Warranty. Average contractors and remodeling companies may only provide you with a one-year, limited, home warranty plan on labor & materials. Highland Ridge Custom Home Remodeling offers a full THREE-YEAR warranty on all labor and materials (provided by Highland Ridge Custom Home Remodeling). When you choose Highland Ridge to help with your remodeling project, you can rest assured that we are committed to providing results that last!
The typical 3-bid process is highly flawed. Usually, homeowners find the process too confusing and leave the homeowner carrying too much of the risk with too. Worse yet, the project outcome may end up inconsistent with your vision, the estimated price, or the promised delivery timeframe. It does not need to be that way. At Highland Ridge we use that better way. We call our process “Homeowner First.” This is a process that lets you learn, understand clearly and then try before you buy.
We move some key parts of the process to the front - before you sign a construction contract. This allows you to get to know us while allowing us to intimately understand your project. The 3-bid method requires an unacceptable, often intolerable, leap of faith on your part. Key questions that affect cost, project details and project time frame are never clear, the result is that an estimate is seldom better than just a guess and a totally inadequate basis for making smart decisions.
At Highland Ridge our Homeowner First process will provide a detailed proposal showing design, a complete scope of work, an informed project timeline and, perhaps most valuable, a firm, guaranteed price. The Homeowner First process does not create new work or incremental cost – it resets the order of things in a way that works in your favor. We do charge for this “Pre-Contract” process, but it's things you would have paid for anyhow in a final Agreement. You have no obligation to do your project with us and you own ALL the results of the process. Homeowner First gives you the information you need to make a great decision when you need it – not after you have signed a construction contract.
In the big picture, our Homeowner First method will save money & avoid unpleasant surprises.
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