Frequently Asked Questions

Any innovative and successful remodeling project requires a group of highly skilled, motivated and dedicated professionals. The Design-Build process brings the entire team of specialists together, working seamlessly and synergistically under one roof, ensuring a more streamlined renovation process—from Concept-to-Completion.

From Day 1, until the very last day of the project, everyone on our team works in tandem. The design team coordinates back and forth with the drafting team to create renderings that accurately reflect the homeowner’s vision. The estimating team is in constant communication with the design team as plans evolve, making sure the client’s needs and desires are managed and accounted for within the budget. The building team inspects and finalizes every draft for clarity and accuracy. Then, the final stamp of approval is given, ensuring that what has been drawn and priced can and will be delivered—all before the first hammer is swung.

What makes Everwest unique in the Design + Build space is the breadth of expertise we carry for every client, to every job site. In some projects, only Interior Designer and builder are needed, in which case we can streamline to that level of efficiency. However, the majority of our projects include the need for architectural design. We have brought this expertise and skill set in house to ensure clients are getting the best value and most integrated approach to a major renovation or whole house remodel. And beyond that, we love taking on bigger challenges that require a whole cast of subspecialties such as geotechnical experts, civil and structural engineers, retention and grading specialist, and many more. Everwest servers as the overseer and single point of accountability for this team, again building value and efficiency for every homeowner, even on the most complex lots and projects.

The traditional method of building and remodeling is usually a disjointed, time-consuming and expensive process. Typically, homeowners are told that the first step is to find an architectural firm. Then, after months of working with an architect, homeowners are told that in order to get an accurate construction bid, they need a comprehensive set of interior design drawings. Upon hiring an interior design team, the homeowner needs to get them up to speed on the previous months of meetings with the architect. The homeowner has to manage the communication between the design and architect teams to ensure that they are working together, connecting the vision, and moving the process along.

At this point, the homeowner still needs a bid from a construction company to establish a working budget. And it’s not until this final step that the reality of the cost and schedule of the project is determined.

When three separate companies are hired to do one project and have not worked together from the beginning, they often have a difficult time getting on the same page. And, when the team isn’t working cohesively, the homeowner is often left out of the loop on critical decision making, scheduling and financial implications, as well as other critical issues.

We believe the traditional approach to building and remodeling makes the process more frustrating, expensive and time-consuming than it needs to be. With Design-Build, and especially with Everwest, every part of the process is done under one roof, with one team as the point of communication. Our inclusive approach keeps design, price, building scope and schedule as one, easy to follow process. “All under one roof” means the highest level of quality control and accountability, industrywide.

Why settle for the old way, when you jump into an innovative, exciting, organized, all inclusive process with Everwest.

Estimating the total budget for a remodel or home build is a critical part of the Design-Build  method. And for good reason. What good is a set of plans, perfectly drawn and meticulously specified, if the budget is 3x what the homeowner was expecting? Because of this lack of foresight and planning in the beginning phases, many projects never break ground. Our goal is to help our clients actualize their vision and their dream by talking about realistic budgets, early and often. We can change the scope of work, value-engineer floor plans, and reselect products or materials early in the process, all before breaking ground in order to ensure the vision becomes a reality. Everyone is on the same page, every step of the way—no matter what.

Market studies show that working with a Design-Build firm that provides architecture and construction together can deliver: 6.1% lower unit cost; 12.0% faster construction speed; 33.5% faster delivery speed; 5.2% less cost growth; 11.4% less schedule growth. On a $1,000,000 house with a 12-month construction schedule, Design-Build costs $61,000 less, takes 1.5 months less to construct and 6 months less time from initial design contract to completion.

Here is what researchers found when they interviewed clients who used the Design-Build process versus the Traditional method:

“Most Opportunity To Innovate”

When your entire team is working together under one roof, this allows more flexibility and “on the fly” decision making as challenges, changes and obstacles emerge. The build team pushes the design team to understand construction on a deeper level. This makes the designers more knowledgeable and well-rounded, equipping them with both foresight and insight to help give clients sound ideas and innovative solutions. The design team asks that the build staff stay open and flexible, ever willing to push the envelope on what’s possible in construction. While some general contractors can get lazy, our build staff understands the rigors of the design world—fully embracing the challenge to think outside the box.

“Best Ability To Fast Track A Project”

Our goal is to get our clients into production as quickly and efficiently as possible. A lot of architectural design firms stay perpetually in the design phase. Why is this? They do not have an incentive or need to get projects cleared for construction. While we love and enjoy the design process, we understand our client’s goal is to actually live in the home of their dreams, not just see it on paper.

“Best Value”

Hiring and coordinating three separate companies (Architect, Interior Design and Construction) to complete a remodeling project or new home build is going to cost more money and require more time than hiring one firm that can do it all.

“Most Able To Deliver Owner Goals And Objectives”

We are especially passionate about this aspect of Design-Build. We listen to our clients. We understand their hopes, dreams, and desires. And we are driven with a laser-sharp focus on bringing their vision to reality. Many design firms push a one-size-fits-all design agenda onto homeowners. Other times, designers focus on their own portfolio, trying to design projects with the intent of getting published instead of truly listening and interpreting the needs of the client.

*FMI 2018 Design-Build Combined Market Study Results

https://dbia.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Design-Build-Market-Research-FMI-2018.pdf

Site Visit and Consultation:

Before jumping into a redesign, we want to hear from you! After exchanging emails or phone calls, we will, at no charge, come out to your home personally to look over the space and get to know you better. We will ask questions, listen to your goals, answer your questions, and talk through the options with you with expertise and honesty. We want to know your design goals, financial goals, and long term plans for the home. We want to know your design style, things you gravitate towards, and things you tend to avoid. We want to know how you want to use the space and how you want your family to use the space. The more we know upfront, the more we can create a custom, unique, tailored design plan to meet your needs and exceed your expectations.

Phase 1: Design Feasibility and Initial Budget

Once we have entered into Design Phase (we will provide a contract and outline to review and sign ahead of time), we create the existing layout and measurements, called the as-built, for the home, yard or site. We then get to work integrating the information and feedback from the site visit into our design concepts. We program everything from floor plans, to rooflines, to room schemes into fully immersive and realistic 3D renderings. This allows clients to “walk through” their new space virtually to get a real sense of how the space will work and function for them. These meetings will be interactive, exciting, and collaborative. We will walk through different options, exchange ideas and concepts, and listen to and incorporate your feedback. Once we have the design, scope and layout to a level where the client are ready to start working through the details, we begin to create the Working Budget.

What begins as a baseline price per square foot broad-strokes estimate is, at this point in the process, turned into a ‘working budget’ which is a detailed, contextually accurate pricing package that will describe scope of work and specify material budgets. Instead of the typical excel sheet or single page word doc, imagine a compressive research project, dedicated to giving homeowners the information needed in order to make the best decisions for themselves and their families.

Phase II—Engineering, Construction Documents and Interior Design

As soon as the design and budget are aligned with the goals and vision of the client, we transition into Phase II which contains 3 distinct, vitally important components. Each component moves us closer to procuring a permit, refining pricing, and dialing in the scope of work

• Engineering: This critical step allows us to finalize the structural engineering and energy calculations needed for both the permit process, and for the validation of the scope of work, which in turn, affects the specifications and pricing allocated for each aspect of the build. During this phase, we may be alerted to suggested changes in the design. For example, there may be pier footings needed for a concrete subfloor, a steel beam in place of a wood beam, or an extra section of sheer or strong walls may be required. Once we get the engineering reports back, we will have a round table discussion with the client to go over any budget adjustments that may be needed and/or required. If something significant is discovered, we want the client to have a chance to think it through and understand the implications before moving forward. If needed, we can change or modify material selection within the floor plans to help cover any cost overruns from engineering. However, major concessions are typically not needed at this phase because of the discovery, forethought, and planning during Phase 1.

• Construction Documents: While engineering is being worked on, deliberated through and submitted, we will be working behind the scenes to create the drawing package needed for the city submission process. All of the forms, applications, drawings, specifications, and anything else needed, will be created and submitted to the city for permit approval. We will handle every aspect of this process and keep clients updated along the way. What sets us apart from other firms during this process is that we don’t consider a set of plans “complete” until all the necessary information is accounted for. We create plans that encompass every detail of design from the wall tile elevations down to every decorative accent and termination point, flooring legends, cabinetry elevations complete with moldings and decorative enhancements, detailed door and window schedules, plumbing layouts including heights of shower-heads and placements for every bathroom accessory. We know this is excessive, but in order for the build process to go as smoothly as possible for our homeowners, we believe the details are what create the extraordinary.

• Interior Design: While engineering and construction docs are being prepared, we will keep clients busy with interior design meetings where we will look at and specify everything from windows and doors to tile and countertops. Each selection will lead us closer to a more fine-tuned budget, and clients are updated along the way on how these design decisions affect the budget. We guide the process and schedule all meetings for material selections at preferred vendors, with someone from our team always present. Not only will fixtures and finishes be chosen, but we will work to integrate all decisions into the pricing, specifications, and drawing packages to ensure a cohesive transition between design phase and build phase.

Our process is tailored to each and every one of our clients. Every homeowner that walks through our door has a unique vision and goal. We have had homeowners come to us with hard deadlines, and we’ve been able to move mountains to help them fast track their design process. Other clients need time to ruminate and think through various options. In this case, we slow down and continue with the drawing process until the client is sparked with inspiration. This is an intensely personal process and we approach it with great respect. Our clients never feel pressure from us to speed it up. Everyone has their own pace—and that’s ok!

Our philosophy is to talk about the budget—early and often. We want our clients to be pursuing a tangible and attainable goal and not waste time and money on a project that is completely outside of their comfort level. This approach doesn’t serve anyone, except maybe the ego of a designer or the bank account of an architect. Our clients are given realistic budget facts and figures as early as the initial in-home consultation. By the middle of Phase I (Desing Feasibility & Initial Budget), each client receives a working budget, based on their exact floor plan, remodel scope, and fixture and material general allowances. Most architects do not provide this. Most interior designers wait until the end, and even then, only provide material costs. And most builders only know how to advise on labor. Our approach educates clients on the full cost to build—including land improvements when needed, city fees, all design and engineering costs, all materials, and all labor. In short, we equip homeowners with a full, comprehensive understanding of their project, and by working out all of the financial moving parts in the beginning, they are empowered and confident throughout the entire process. Knowledge is power!

From the time we break ground on any given project, here are some general rules of thumb:

Bathrooms & Kitchens — 2-4 months (if major plumbing and/or walls are not being manipulated)

Additions — 4-6 months (depending on the size and how much of the existing home is tied-in)

Whole House Renovations — 6-9 months (depending on size, scope, structure manipulation, and specialty finishes and/or tie-ins)

New Construction — 12-18 months

It depends. For a whole-house remodel—yes.  And this is why scheduling is so important. Proper planning ahead of time can literally cut months off of the build time, which is why the Design-Build model is such a win-win. A company promising to do a remodel for cheaper isn’t always a good value if they are unable to keep a schedule and the homeowner ends up having to rent a space for 3 extra months. (These are the hidden costs associated with companies that don’t put emphasis on process and planning).

For an isolated room, a kitchen or bath remodel for example, homeowners can stay in their home. We take every measure to make this experience is as non-invasive and non-disruptive as possible. If that means setting up a kitchen in the garage, creating huge containment areas to control dust and debris, or simply making sure the job site is tidy, we know this process is inconvenient and difficult, and we are here to help ease that stress.

When renovating multiple areas at a time, we discuss the pros and cons with the client regarding the feasibility of staying or leaving the home. We find the solution that works best for them.