Our Process
Truly integrated design-build for a seamless remodeling experience and stunning results.
Collaboration from planning through build.
At the heart of a design-build approach to home remodeling is the belief that collaboration and communication are key to creating the best possible result. By working closely with our clients and prioritizing design on every project, our team is able to gain a deep understanding of your needs, preferences, and vision for the space, giving you a result you’ll love coming home to.
Our Process
With you every step of the way.
Initial Site Meeting
Spectrum Design + Build is way more than a contractor — we're experts who can answer your questions and guide you through the process from your initial ideas, all the way to the very last touch up. During our first site meeting, we'll sit down with you and discuss your wish list, possible challenges, and begin to collaborate on design ideas and solutions that will best suit your needs.
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Project Feasibility & Concept Designs
During this portion of our process, we will always first determine whether your project design is feasible, buildable, and in compliance with current regulation, zoning, and building code. In addition, it is our responsibility to produce designs, generate a sales price bracket, and discuss a summary of stated work. By doing so, this gives you an idea of costs, our detailed processes going forward, and what you should expect along the way. Laying out the details and challenges up front also creates a level of confidence between us, the remodeler, and you, the client. If you're not happy, neither are we, so we'll make it our goal to ensure your satisfaction long before breaking ground.
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Final Design & Project Planning
Now you have your design mapped out. This is the final pre-construction check-in. Working towards a construction agreement and permit acquisition, in this phase, we finalize structural, engineering, site, and zoning plans and make primary selections for your finish materials. This portion of our full-service program allows you to look at final construction designs, make decisions on materials, and raise any remaining questions or concerns you might have. We pride ourselves in our detail-oriented and transparent planning process — design-build is a collaborative process between homeowner and builder.
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Permitting
During the Permitting acquisitions step, we create, develop, and submit your project with all relevant architectural and engineering plans, relevant code compliance, as well as all supporting documentation related to the project including lead, public space, and stormwater management. This ensures that we will gain a valid building permit directly related to your scope of work, as well as the required supplemental permits — setting your project build to meet all relevant code and gain future inspection approvals. In all jurisdictions, there will always be hurdles to gaining permits during the review processes - especially on the more complex projects - but our sustained step-by-step approach, experience with the various agencies, and code-compliant expertise commits our attention towards gaining all required permits for your project. Once your permits are issued and all pre-construction inspections and paperwork clearances have been completed, your project will be ready to build.
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Mobilization & Build
Now onto the most exciting phase of the project — starting your home remodel! We'll sit down with you and go over the final description of work and construction documents, this is also the time to finalize project documentation and make any crucial changes. Our materials selection process is very detailed, typically guided by supplemental drawings and renderings, and working with our Interiors Lead, it is very clear to you which finish materials are yours to select, individualize, and approve. No one wants to come home to see their newly-installed countertops in the wrong color. Additionally, other equally important — albeit less glamorous — aspects of the project administration such as insurance, EPA, lead compliance, and notifying your neighbors of construction are all handled by Spectrum. Sit back and let us handle the paperwork, necessary documentation, and the construction and remodeling — we'll make sure these aspects are in order.
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Warranty & Support
Once your construction and remodeling project is completed and final inspections are approved, we then move on to another very important phase of your project: The Handoff! When we hand the project back to you with additional project documentation, care and use guides, and a final site walkthrough to answer any questions. At the end of every project, you will additionally receive a “Job Book” with all of your finish selections, custom materials orders, and product numbers and details so that you can easily activate any manufacturer warranties that may arise. However, during the first year after construction, we will assist you with any manufacturer claims that may become necessary. As for the Spectrum Project Warranty, we will honor all workmanship and installations on your project for a full 3-years on craftsmanship and trade work and a full 5-years for new structural.
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Our mission is to be your design-build firm for life.
What is design-build?
Design-build remodeling is an approach to home renovation where the same team collectively manages all facets of the design, architectural plans, and construction phases of your project. More than just a list of services, design-build is an integrated way of performing construction and remodeling with detail, the ability for you to know what you’re going to get, and lasting durability.
The design-build advantage.
With our dedicated team of full-time craftsmen, we offer in-house services including our team of architectural designers, project managers, and production leaders. This helps create a seamless and collaborative experience for our clients, while also allowing for greater efficiency and cost savings with the design-build approach.
Keith patiently and thoroughly discussed each of the changes I was thinking about, helping me clarify my objectives and suggesting alternatives to several of my initial ideas, especially in the kitchen. The process of coming up with a final plan was thoroughly professional, collaborative and comfortable and I learned a lot during this phase.
