The Design-Build Process

1. First Contact: The first step in the Design-Build process is an initial phone conversation to discuss your remodeling needs and wishes. During this conversation, our 5 step design-build process is described and the general scope of work is determined. The next step is an on-site design consultation to review site conditions and further define the scope of your project. You are usually requested to locate copies of current home plans (if available) and house location plats in order to assist in broad initial design concepts.

2. Design Consultation: Once at your house, we will review the site conditions, listen to you desires and goals, bounce and sketch ideas and solutions around, and develop a broad set of criteria for designing the home improvements. At this time, a general budget scope is also determined to aid in the design process. Following this meeting, the designer will develop a Design Proposal Agreement (as described below) to move to the design phase of the project.

3. Design Proposal: The purpose of the Design Proposal Agreement is to solidify the basic specifications, materials, budget, and goals of the project. If you approve of the items in the Design Proposal Agreement, a retainer of between 2-5% of the budget is paid to Sagatov Associates. This retainer covers conceptual sketches, floor plans, elevations, 3-D views if necessary, preliminary specifications, formal and informal communications, and a detailed estimate (2 revisions if required.) Once the design and budgeting process is completed, the final design and pricing are presented to you for final approval. If you find that the designs and pricing fit into your goals and plans, the next step is the Construction Agreement.

4. Construction: Upon ratification of the Construction Agreement, the Design Retainer is credited to the Construction Agreement and the project is placed on the schedule. At this time, the designer will finalize the plans in order to obtain a building permit. You will also receive a preliminary schedule for the project and a list of selections that need to be finalized. The construction phase begins with a meeting between you, the designer, the project manager assigned to the project, and in most cases, the lead carpenter. At this point, the project manager handles weekly meetings with you to review schedules, selections, and the status of your project.

5. Final Review: The last step of the process is the final walk through at which time we “hand over the keys” to you. At this meeting, any remaining items are assembled onto a punch-list for completion. It is our quality-control goal to walk away from this meeting with zero items on the punch-list.

Sagatov Associates, Inc., with over 20 years experience, is a Class A Contractor in the Commonwealth of Virginia and carries full liability and worker’s compensation insurance. Work performed by Sagatov Associates, Inc. carries a one year warranty.