CONSTRUCTION INTERFACE

I have a long personal history of home remodeling experience, I always get involved in the construction phase of my projects and I am married to a very good general contractor. I have the skills and the experience to bring value to your remodel project.

Knowledge I can pass on to you can help leverage you into a stronger and more comfortable position when approaching contractors and when navigating the bidding process.

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1. BEFORE CONSTRUCTION

A)  GENERATE PLANS AND DRAWINGS
B)  EDUCATE MY CLIENTS

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A)  GENERATE PLANS AND DRAWINGS

This is the most tangible of the interface rolls I play as a designer. The plans and drawings are the physical descriptors that convert all the complex details of my client's wishes, needs and technical requirements into a form from which the contractor can build.

Everything from plumbing and lighting, to the location of walls, fixtures and fittings; cabinetry design, tile layout and building permit submissions are all conveyed with the aid of these drawings. On one side of the equation, they are a way of communicating visually with my client; on the other, they are the required form of information transfer between myself (and my client) and the contractor.

This web site contains many examples of these plans and drawings. To view a selection, please take a look through each of the project pages.


B)  EDUCATE MY CLIENTS

For clients who are facing their first construction experience, I am able to describe the process in detail. This goes a long way in de-mystifying the process, but it also puts powerful information and understanding in the hands of my clients as they approach contractors and as they navigate the bidding process.

2. DURING CONSTRUCTION

C)  INTERFACE WITH THE GENERAL CONTRACTOR
D)  SCHEDULING, ORDERING, PURCHASING,
       TRACKING, BILLING

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C)  INTERFACE WITH THE GENERAL CONTRACTOR

The construction phase of any project has a certain number of unknowns and it is typical for questions, or the need for clarification, to arise. For this reason, you should expect to see me on-site periodically through construction.

There are certain tasks that necessitate attention during the construction phase and for these you should also expect me to be on-site. One example of this type of task might be the staining of newly laid hardwood floors. This is done on-site, and because every batch of wood is a little bit different, the stain samples are applied to the actual new floors, such that the final choice can be made.

D)  SCHEDULING, ORDERING, PURCHASING, TRACKING, BILLING

The details of your project will all have been decided and specified before the construction phase began.

However, I will be scheduling any necessary ordering/purchasing, tracking and billing to assure that all materials are with your contractor in good time and that the potential for delays are avoided.

I will often receive items and I will open all boxes to inspect for damage or flawed product, before approving them for installation. Steps such as this one are invaluable in the smooth running of your project; this attention to detail helps catch potential errors before they have any opportunity of developing into time-wasting problems.