At CuttingEdge, we employ a proven, step-by-step design/build process that ensures customer satisfaction. Our 30-plus years of combined experience and professionalism is delivered right to your home to determine if our products and services fit into your space.
Step 1: Initial Consultation
Step 2: Ballpark Estimating
Step 3: Project Planning
Step 4: Design
Step 5: Project Review
Step 6: Construction
Step 7: Phase and Project Completion
Initial Consultation
During this step in the process, we meet with you to discuss and review your goals of the project. This initial meeting can take 1-2 hours and we ask that all parties involved in the project be present during this meeting. We take notes as we listen to you while we walk around your home with you. It's important that we discuss certain elements that you may want to introduce in your newly designed space as well as take general measurements. This helps us determine the project scope in regards to a budget. Some of the specific areas we cover are:
Design criteria, restrictions, obstacles
Structural concerns
Finishing options (e.g. countertops, door styles, bath fixtures)
Concept you may be trying to accomplish
Focal point
Questions/concerns you may have
Ballpark Estimating
Based on the information we gathered during the initial consultation, we can now establish what price range the project cost is likely to be. This estimate is typically a benchmark for the owner and does not represent a bid or contract to perform work. The price range or variance may be greater for older homes due to their involvement of more unknowns, which may require a higher level of detail or severe complexity. Along with the ballpark estimate, we present you with a reference list of names and numbers of recently completed projects and discuss your initial investment to begin your project.
Project Planning
Without proper planning, we cannot accurately provide you the information required to properly bid on your project. The following steps are necessary to effectively help you with your project and accurately provide you with a comprehensive proposal:
Take photos and accurate measurements for plan development
Provide solutions to major design problems or issues
Develop preliminary design drawings and scope of work
Obtain specific price quotes from sub-contractors
Clearly define product, material and scope of work
Design
If your project requires comprehensive design work, you will sign a Letter of Intent, giving us the green light to begin the design phase. The intent is to progress from conceptual design to detailed plans and specs in the form of a final agreement. This phase will include:
Final plans highlighting structural and non-structural changes
Layouts for cabinetry, counters, fixtures and appliances
Mechanical plan complete with designs for the electrical and lighting systems
Outlines of elevations and perspectives
Local building and zoning requirements
Specs outlining product details
Scope of work
Project Review
The Project Review allows us the opportunity to present to you our options for your project as well outline the necessary steps required to get the project to completion. This meeting, coupled with design review, can last 2 to 3 hours. In addition to the deliverables outlined in the Design Phase, you will also receive the following:
Complete review and presentation of options for your project
Outline of the steps required to get the project started
Complete written scope of work
Detailed, comprehensive proposal for your project
Project specification sheet
Fixed priced contract
Project schedule
The project specifications sheet contains details such as allowance calculations and structural data while the construction agreement contains legalities and payment draw schedules. Most of our contracts end up being 5-8 pages long, contingent upon the size and complexity of the scope.
Upon completion of the Project Review, you have the option to retain all design documents and take no further action, or proceed to the next step for project acceptance.
Project Kickoff
If you choose to hire CuttingEdge for your project, we will schedule a kickoff meeting to review your project again and communicate the process we go through to deliver a project that exceeds your expectation. During this phase, we discuss site preparations such as: material staging, debris and dust control, accessibility, child and pet safety, parking, delays incurred and why, and permit box locations. We will produce the final permit drawings, provide engineers report, and apply for necessary permits. A final schedule will be presented to all parties involved, complete with the names of sub-contractors and suppliers.
Construction
At this time, the construction phase begins, incorporating all design aspects into a finished product. This is when the design and material options are explored a second time, to ensure the concept and budget for the proposed project is followed to the letter.
It is our goal to keep you informed of every phase of the project from start to finish. Construction projects can be a major disruption in your daily routine; our priority is to immediately notify you of changes to the scope to minimize any disruption as often as possible and maintain a safe work site.
We like to take advantage of any new opportunities that might appear to improve the design. We are proficient at presenting new options clearly and simply, whether it's a design detain or a structural change.
Completion
There may be details that will need attention at the completion of a phase or the project. To ensure customer satisfaction from phase to phase, we developed a phase completion satisfaction agreement that ensures you are satisfied with the progress and its completion before we begin the next phase. Incorporating this level of quality assurance in this process helps lessen the amount of small details needing to be addressed during the final walk-through.
Congratulations!
You can now enjoy your new space, thanks to the collaborative efforts of you and the CuttingEdge Team. Our business grows by word of mouth, so it is to our advantage that we deliver the best possible service and finished product. We have a terrific relationship with our clients, both before and after construction, and we look forward to working with you on your next project!