What is our process?
Happy New Year everyone! I know it’s been a while since I wrote a blog. I found myself needing a break from writing, from posting on social media, etc. It was a much needed break.
While I stopped writing, we certainly have not stopped working. We’ve been busy with three new build projects (one here in Calgary, one in Invemere, BC, an one in Denver, CO). We also continue to be busy with our renovation side with many projects at various stages. As you can see, we also updated our website and changed our platform for our site. Since we are working on more and more new build projects, I thought it was time to slowly make a change. I’ve had sheribruneau.com since I started my business so now seemed like a great time to make the transition.
Our Process
We often get asked what our process is when we visit a site for the first time. During our Renovation Discovery Session, we get a chance to meet potential clients, we get to see their space, and then we can decided if we are a good fit to work together. Let’s be honest, it has to be a good fit for both you and me.
When we attend a Renovation Discovery Session, we review how we work together with clients. We have certain processes that we follow that allows us to produce the best design for your home.
Design Phase
This is the very first part of the process. Without a design, how can anyone price out what the renovation is going to cost? I equate this to a recipe. You follow the recipe, you get a great, tasty result. You follow a design, you get a beautiful, functional space. Period.
2D conceptual rendering
3D conceptual rendering
Final kitchen
In this phase, we carry out a site measure, we create optional floor plans, and we provide 2D and 3D renderings so that we focus on function at this stage while considering how pretty it’s may look.
When we have completed this phase, the recipe is completed and we can move onto the next stage.
Bidding Phase | Trade day
Once the design has been completed, we then can move onto the bidding stage. Since we are a full-service company, we bring in our team of trusted trades to bid on the design. It is my responsibility to ensure each trade has their scope of work that they will be bidding on.
Our clients, at this time, can also choose to bring in other companies to bid if they so choose. We are not onsite for other companies to bid on the project.
Investment | Budget
Once our trades have provided me with their bid to carry out the scope of their work, I can really start to narrow in our selections for the project. While there are a lot of fancy programs out there to work with, I use a spreadsheet. I break up the ‘product’ and the ‘labour’ in seperate tabs and then together, they come together to calculate the final investment.
It is at this time where we have many opportunities to manipulate the budget. If something has come in too high, we may look at selections and reselect something more budget friendly. Or, if a scope of work (trade price) has come in too high, then we have the opportunity to see if we can tweak the design a bit. When all of the changes have been made, we then have a final investment budget to work with.
Where I live, a good ‘rule of thumb’ is knowing that labour is roughly 2/3 the cost of a renovation.
Unless a client has decided to add something on mid-way through a project, our investment budget does not change.
A snapshot of how we bring together the product, the labour, and then the total investment.
Managing the Project
Ahhh…this is where the logistic fun really begins! When you have us manage your project, I act as the Project Manager. When we say we are ‘full service’, this is what it means. As the PM, the following is what occurs:
• All product is ordered by me, ahead of time prior to work starting. This is to ensure that there is no wait-time for products. This is especially important during all of our Covid issues with supply chain that we have been seeing.
• Regular site visits are carried out. I meet the trades prior to their scope of work that is to be completed. Our dedicated Site Supervisor is onsite during the entire construction.
• Communication between the client and trades is handled through me and our Site Supervisor.
• Management of the budget is monitored throughout the entire time by me. I handle the walk-throughs to ensure all trades have met their requirements and everything is to complete satisfaction.
• A construction calendar is created with dates when my trusted trades will be accessing your home.
• A lock box (if necessary) will be installed and trades will only get the code prior to working in your home.
There are many moving parts during the construction phase. It is important that someone is ‘the boss’ to make the decisions in a timely fashion, to keep the project moving forward, and to keep the investment budget in tact.
A view of a current age-in-place project in action.
The End Result
I love turn-over day. We all get to see the end result of months of hard work. When I look back at projects, you truly get to see the dream go from paper to reality. All of the planning and executing was well worth it!
Thinking about an upcoming project ? Let’s start the conversation!
