Every build starts with our detailed Pre-Construction process.
When the neighborhood gets together, your friendly conversation inevitably turns to talking about home repairs and spring cleaning plans. It’s in those sacred circles where you hear about the builds that didn’t go quite as expected, and the fees that are piling higher and higher.
We’ve developed a Pre-Construction process to keep you informed, in agreement with every detail of the plan, and aware of the costs from the start. You’ll never be left with a bill you didn’t expect and no plan on how to pay it.
Path 01
We join your team, dive into the designs, and deliver a price based on what your plans actually call for.
Path 02
We’ll match you with one of our trusted designers and coordinate the project from there.
Our Pre-Construction phase is only seven steps, and it’s what we use to convert your ideas and designs into a concrete plan.
Step 01
We’ll start a conversation and get an idea about what you want and how far along you are in the design process.
Step 02
We’ll walk through your home with you to identify any pain points, see what the site looks like, and get a greater idea of where the project’s headed.
Step 03
After we review the initial designs, we’ll send over a preliminary budget. Keep in mind that this is an estimated number and not the final quote.
Step 04
If we’re all in alignment, we’ll have you sign the Pre-Construction Agreement and send over 1% of the preliminary budget.
Step 05
We’ll work together to review materials and identify trade costs.
Step 06
Once we’ve collected everything, we’ll give you the final scope of work with a number that stays locked in.
Step 07
The Pre-Construction phase ends, and building begins!
Our Pre-Construction process may look different from other experiences you’ve had or stories you’ve heard. One area where we differ is in collecting 1% of the preliminary budget early in the process. Every penny you pay gets applied directly to the build.
1%
of the preliminary budget, applied directly to the build
This 1% unlocks the door to a rigorous information collection period that ensures our fixed price never wavers. It also allows us to:
Thanks to that 1% payment and the steps that follow, you get an extensive final scope of work, which you can reference anytime you want, and a comprehensive cost that seldom changes.
At Watershed Builders, we don’t skimp on the details. We believe that being meticulous at the beginning of every project lays a solid foundation for us to build beautiful spaces on.
One of the ways we do this is with a trade walk, where every trade that’s set to work on your project walks the plans on site before any work starts. These practical walk-throughs catch real-life discrepancies that are sometimes missed in the designs.
The trade walk might seem like overkill, but it can mean the difference between getting the shower you want and getting a shower that was meant to be an upgrade but ended up worse.
Every paint color you pick out and every cabinet you move during Pre-Construction gets documented. We track each item against the preliminary budget, and price every one before we start building, so that the number we deliver in the beginning is the same one we come to at the end.
Of course, there are times when you decide to tack on covering the patio or updating the hall bathroom after we’ve started. It’s totally normal to alter the scope. However, we make sure every change order is easily visible in your client portal so you’re never left wondering what you’re paying for and how much it costs.
3 – 4 Months
While no two Pre-Construction periods are the same, they average around four to seven months. Because we rely on designs and selections, meeting with your designers is imperative. However, limited availability and scheduling conflicts can lead to delays, resulting in those longer timeframes.
We like to err on the side of caution and recommend scheduling with us several months before you’d like your project completed. In the best-case scenario, we wrap things up ahead of schedule. And in the worst case, we’ve padded the timeline so no one feels the strain.
A thorough Pre-Construction process leads to fantastic projects, and these are some of our recent ones.
We’re proud to share a community with our clients and watch them settle into their new spaces. But don’t take our word for it. Here are your neighbors’ experiences in their own words.
