When we discuss a new project with a Client, there is often confusion as to how to figure out what to do. Here are some of the commonly asked questions and maybe some questions you did not know to ask.
How much will my project cost? The first thing Calyx does is work together with you to determine if the project you have in mind is within your budget. We meet with you to discuss your project and put the basic specifications and estimates together. After reviewing this information, we will work together to tweak the specifications and clarify what work is priority for you to help keep your project within your budget.
Do I need permits? Most projects need permits. Some cosmetic projects such as painting, flooring or replacing cabinets and countertops do not need permits. Calyx will take care of applying for and paying for the permits as part of the contract.
Do I need plans? It depends on the type of project and the City’s requirements. Many bathroom or kitchen projects where there are no structural changes do not require a plan. If we are moving walls or building an addition, plans will be required and sometimes engineering to verify the structural needs of the project. Calyx will take care of the plans. We collaborate with local Architects and Draftsmen to create the plans. Several versions of these plans may go back and forth between the design team and the homeowner until we reach the final layout.
How is it going to look? Depending on the level of detail you are requesting, our designers will have blueprints or renderings drafted to help you get a better idea as to how the project will appear.
How long is it going to take to get the project started? From your first call to us to designing, planning, permits and executing the project to completion, a bathroom or kitchen can take up to two months. For a whole house renovation or addition, it can take between six months to a year. Some towns have more stringent requirements and depending on the work scope, you may need a survey, septic system or wetlands permit which can add time to the planning process.
How long will my project take to finish? Again, depending on the work scope and complexities, a project can take between two months and six months to complete. On a larger project, such an addition or whole house remodel, the timeline is extended. Pouring a foundation sometimes needs to wait for warmer weather to safely dig and pour a foundation. The last few years we have had mild winters, so we have been able to pour through the winter, but this is not always the case. If you are considering doing a project next year, you may want to factor the weather into your timeline.
How long does it take to make product selections? Much of our planning and timeline is dependent on the measurements and specifications of the products you choose. This phase needs to take place at the beginning of your project, prior to work starting and can take between two and four weeks. Lead times for products can vary between weeks to months to be delivered to us and to be ready for installation, so it’s important to have your products selected in a timely manner.
Where do I buy the products? Calyx has suppliers and vendors that we have worked with for years and extend our contractor pricing to you. You will have a Selection Checklist listing the preferred vendor and designer, hours, location and the allowance amount that have been built into your Agreement. Calyx does not mark products up and we are “open book” with our product pricing, so you know exactly what you are paying. Our goal is to make the process as simple and transparent as possible.
What is an allowance? An allowance is a set amount of money that is included in the Agreement for products such as bathroom fixtures, cabinetry, countertops etc. Calyx’s allowances are based on the current market costs for products which may vary from the time of contract signing to purchasing the product. We do our best to build our allowances based on the current costs of similar projects and products that our Clients have purchased recently. Due to this and the fluctuating costs of products, the pricing on items can vary.
Can I buy stuff online or at a Big Box Stores? It depends. Knobs, handles, mirrors, light fixtures are generally ok, but high-use products like faucets or cabinets do not perform the same way. Many well-known brands manufacture their online or box store inventory with cheaper parts that do not last over time. They may have the same model number and name but be made entirely different than a product purchased from a direct vendor. We choose not to work with, install or warranty inferior products. We had a Client that insisted we install product they purchased online and we removed all of the warranty work on these products and they signed off on this process. When the fixture failed six months later, they had to pay for a new fixture and pay for the plumber to install a better product.
What is a change order? A change order can be generated for many reasons. The most common change order is to account for the price difference of a product to what was in the Agreement for an allowance. The other reason for a change order is a change in the scope of work from the Agreement. We have electricians, carpenters, plumbers and other trades on many jobs, so if we are asked to do other repairs while we are there, a change order is sure to follow. We have also had Clients add on other projects such as a bathroom, roofing and painting.
Will there be cost overruns? We do our best to account for all the costs upfront. The primary areas of risk are when digging for a foundation and finding ledge or unsuitable soil that need to be removed or replaced. Another common area (most common in houses built before 1970) is structural damage that is not visible during the initial inspection. If we determine this on the demolition, we will discuss the options with you to make cost effective repairs.
What are the work hours? Calyx works from Monday to Friday from 7:30-8:30 AM until 3:00-5:00 PM. We occasionally work on weekends but if this is necessary your production team will let you know ahead of time.
How do we communicate with your Production Team? We use a project management program to keep you in touch with your Production Team. You will get status updates throughout the project and your team will be available to you through the app. This ensures that you know about the current events of your project. It has two-way communication so that you can ask questions, view pictures and see your billing information.
How do I pay? Calyx accepts personal checks. Some Clients prefer setting up ACH (bank to bank transfer) at the start of the project. There are several ways to finance your project. We have had Clients who saved up cash to do their project. Some Clients chose to use HELOC loans. Some Clients are merging households and finances with a relative to build an ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit). And we have had Clients who financed their project with a 203K loan.
How is this going to disrupt our lives? There will be noise, dust and at some point, it will seem like it is taking too long. Suddenly, all the pieces come together, and you will be able to enjoy your new space. For a kitchen project, we help the Clients setup a temporary area in an adjacent room.
How secure is my house and family? All Calyx employees are background checked and we vet our trade contractors. We use a lockbox on a designated location for entry to your home. Clients with an alarm system will set up a temporary code for Calyx to use during the project.
Will the workers be using my bathroom? Calyx supplies temporary restroom facilities on a project that have a duration of longer than two weeks.
What is the cleanup, and will my house be messy? Yes, there will be dust. We remove the debris and do a general cleanup periodically to stay on top of the project. At the end of each project, we do a deep clean in all the affected areas.
What is my warranty? Calyx provides a one-year warranty on all the workmanship. Many of the products that we use have an extended warranty.
If you’re looking to start planning a project that you want to start in the fall, winter or next spring, you should contact us to get the ball rolling! If you have any questions on the process, you can contact us at 401-334-9110 or you can email us at inquire@CalyxBuilds.com.
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