At Sonbuilt Custom Homes we have developed a process from design to build and final to completion that has consistently contributed to a quality experience for our customers. The following are the highlights of this the process.
Personal Interview
At Sonbuilt, building relationships with people is essential to our success, so meeting with you, our customer, and getting to know you is very important.
Our initial meeting with you may take one to two hours. During this time:
- We take detailed notes
- We discuss your needs, ideas, and dreams for your home.
Our team is dedicated to developing strong relationships with our customers and it is during this time we determine the best way to approach the design of your new home.
1. Design Contract
During this phase of our process we meet with you and review our design contract. It describes in depth:
- Our costs
- Payment schedules
- Our obligations to you
- Time frames for completion of the working drawings
- Your responsibilities in the design of your new home
Once you understand the steps for the design of your new home and you have signed our design contract we require a deposit to start the preliminary plan process.
Our desire with our design contract, as with all our construction agreements, is to clearly communicate expectations so as to eliminate future misunderstandings.
2. Preliminary Design
Within a couple of weeks of meeting with you we will have preliminary designs based on our initial discussions with you. Typically we present two or three different designs, providing you with main and upper floor sketches and a drawing of the front elevation for each of the designs.
This is the best opportunity for you to make major changes and we can return to the drawing board and provide you with new preliminary designs.
Upon acceptance of our preliminary drawings we will request the deposit be increased to 50% of the preliminary design square footage.
3. Design Development
At this stage we will start developing the drawings by completing the floor plans and the elevations.
It is normal and even desirable to spend time refining the design at this stage and we will meet with you two or three times to ensure the drawings are proceeding in the direction you want.
Minor changes at this stage are encouraged and accepted, however, there may be additional charges for major changes in design or layout.
4. Permit Drawings
We now complete the formal drawings for submission to an engineer and the municipal building department.
Changes still can be make at this stage of the drawing. However, there may be additional charges for changes to the permit drawings.
5. Additional Design Development
You may be wondering “What do those special arches and wall sconces look like? What kind of cabinets will my kitchen have?”
Permit drawings do not require detailed interior design or finish specifications. We are pleased to provide you with specialty drawing and product specification. Depending on your budget and the level of detail you would like, we can use the permit drawings with a simple outline of products and finishes. Alternatively, we can provide detailed design specifications for all the finishes you with to put into your new home.
6. Construction
The construction phase of your new home is an intense and exciting time! At Sonbuilt, we are well organized and we have fun at what we do. No matter how much preparation and planning has been, there are always decisions to be made. We like to involve the owner as much as he or she wishes.
This is how we build dreams, one home at a time.
Please contact us for more information on our approach to the design and build process for your new dream home.
The Building Phase
We know how difficult and imposing building a new house can be! Building a custom home is a collaborative effort that involves a huge number of people. each with different viewpoints, unique personalities, and various ideas of how the finished project should look. Thorough preparation, proper planning, good coordination, and clear communication are the keys to any successful construction project.
Building a custom home can be one of the most rewarding experiences in your lifetime, provided you know what to expect and the steps that comprise building a custom home.
1. Finding the Right Design for Your Home
Our first meeting with you usually runs between one-and-a half to two hours, during which time we discuss and take detailed notes on your needs, wants, ideas, and ideals.
Is there a particular home style you prefer? Single story, multi-story, multi-level? Do you prefer a Contemporary, European or Southern style etc.
Do you have an existing plan that meets your design needs? Is there a configuration layout you prefer?
The goal for our first meeting is to determine the type and style of home you hope to have.
2. Designing Your Home
We develop preliminary designs based on the discussion and ideas generated at our meeting. Another meeting is arranged during which time you can review the preliminary designs and give us your thoughts. Several meetings may be required until both parties are satisfied. We now ‘fine tune’ the final design, formally drawing it up with structural notes, dimensions and supporting documentation (energy and structural calculations, window and door schedules, site plans, etc.) that are required for building permits.
3. Determining a Budget
With your specific plan we can now go about determining the cost for your home by having our suppliers and trades provide us with quotes.
In a short period of time we are able to provide you with a budget and contract for the project.
4. The Construction Contract
We are able to provide you with two construction contract options: a fixed-price option or a cost-plus option.
The fixed-price contract is for customers who don’t anticipate to make many changes to their house plan and would like to know precisely what the cost to build their home will be.
A cost-plus contract is for customers who know they will be making changes during the construction process.
5. Construction Phase
The construction phase is intense and exciting! We stay organized and enjoy the process. No matter how much preparation and planning has been done, there are always decisions to be made. We like to involve the owner as much as he or she wishes.
Construction will normally begin on your new home once a building permit has been issued.
As the work progresses, you will be involved in each step of the construction if you prefer.
Throughout the construction process there will be decisions that you will need to make. We will provide you with as much information as possible to help you in your decision making.
From exterior styles and tastes to interior colors and trims, we will show you samples and offer suggestions. There are many components to building a new home and we’ll help you learn as we go through all the processes.
6. Home Completion
By law, all builders must provide new home owners a third party warranty. We are pleased to provide coverage through Travelers Guarantee. The ‘2/5/10’ year warranty offered through Travelers is the most comprehensive third party warranty in North America.
Upon completion of your new home, you will receive a Maintenance Manual, developed by Warranty Resource, a company that specializes in creating manuals specific to each home. This manual will have instructions and warranty information for your home.
We will walk you through the operation of your home system functions and answer any questions you may have.
In the end, we will have designed and constructed your home together with you as a team. It is our goal to build a “problem-free’ home that you and your family will enjoy for years to come … a home that we will be proud to say was built by Sonbuilt Custom Homes Ltd.
Our business grows by word of mouth referral and it is our mutual advantage to have the best possible finished product.
We have maintained positive relationships with our clients, both before and after construction.
We look forward to working with you on your project!