ace.website.FAQ

Changes

What if something needs to be changed in the middle of the project?

We will never make a change from the original design plans that you approved unless we discuss it first with you and get your approval. We do not ask for any payment on changes without an agreement in writing providing guidelines to the changes in the form of a Change Order or a Work Order prior to execution. In either case, you will be fully aware of the change and possible costs. Our constant communication guarantee also ensures there are no surprises during construction.

Cost

How much will my remodeling job cost?

Obviously it depends a lot on the project. Costs are strongly affected by the materials and components selected. Other cost factors include: the amount of preparation work required (tear-down), the number of different trade skills required (wiring, plumbing, audio-visual equipment, heating/cooling, etc.), and the level of finish work desired.

Here's the best way to go about it: let us work with you to create the design plans. Then, if we need to stretch the budget, we can decide together on potential design compromises. Our goal is for you to be happy with the completed project while staying within your budget. We want you to get the most out of the invest in your home.

This is a far superior approach as opposed to publishing plans for your renovation and asking contractors to put in a bid. What you'll get is people bidding apples and oranges. It's very difficult to make informed decisions using that approach. We'll work with you from start to finish to get a realistic cost estimate.

What is your cost per square foot?

People usually ask this question when they want an addition to their home. You have to be careful not to compare apples and oranges. Typically, homeowners will ask for a price and then compare that figure to the average cost of new construction in a specific region. But here's where that can be misleading. Building huge tracts of homes in an assemblyline fasion lowers the cost, putting renovators at a seeming disadvantage when citing cost per square foot. However, those tract homes rarely have custom features and builders often use the least expensive materials available regardless of quality. Additionally, most renovators are not truly adding living area. Instead they are modifying exisitng living spaces to make them more useful. The true value of your renovation comes in increased comfort,favorable use of the space, and an increase in the resale value of your property. All that to say, cost per square foot may not be a useful approach to estimating the cost of your renovation.

Do you provide free estimates?

We prefer to create the design with you so that we can carefully fit the best quality features and incorporate a custom fit to your requirements. The initial consultation is free. The time consuming process of preparing a design to meet your specifications is not. Because we create custom designs, the actual design of the project is intellectual property of Ace Improvement Agency. If you were to take our design and then hire another builder, that would be like contracting an architect for his services. Our goals is to create a unique design and bring the renovation to completion.

Will there be any extra costs?

We provide a very detailed contract and specifications when the final designs are complete. This way you know exactly what you are spending. Changes or additions that you may request later but were not detailed in our contract or the design will likely result in increased costs. However, we strive to supply an all-inclusive contract that anticipates contingencies and we do everything in our power to stick to the budget.

Miscellaneous

Are you licensed and insured?

We want a long-term, risk-free relationship with you. It would seriously jeopardize our ability to do business in this area if we were to subject you to potential financial loss or physical injury. In addition to our careful workmanship and attention to safety issues, insurance is the means to assure that if the unforseen or unavoidable occurs, resources are available for a remedy.

Is this a project you would be interested in?

Thanks to the depth and breadth of our sub-contractors and their building capabilities, it is rare for us to come across a project we wouldn't take. We just like to do lots of different things! Our focus has been on modifications to existing homes. But if you're building a new house, we may be the right choice for you. The techniques we use result in a home that will be part of your family legacy and a gem in the community. The best way to see if we're a match is to arrange for a consultation.

Do you use subcontractors?

The term "subcontractor" usually means any one of a group of tradesmen, based on who is available at the moment or who bids the lowest for the job. Ace Improvement uses a fixed team of specialists for all jobs. This provides a stable and repeatable work environment for each of the team members and gives us the ability to demand priority in scheduling their work. This also means that the customer benefits from the best team work, schedule, and workmanship from this group of experts. You always know exactly who is coming to your home to do the work. These are our trusted friends and associates.

Do you supply all of the materials?

Yes. We can supply all the materials required and have selected vendors for every conceivable need. Often, we have several vendors and options available. You can review the choices for preferences in feature, quality and cost. We invite comparison with any materials you have selected and believe you will agree that ours will provide a superior value.

Will we have to move out?

It is rarely necessary for a homeowner to move out during renovation work, although there are exceptions. If we will be removing hazardous materials, exposing essential living areas to the weather, or interrupting utilities for an extended period of time, then it may be desirable for you to move out temporarily for your safety and comfort. We will be able to determine if this is necessary during our initial consultation. The weekly scheduled meetings will indicate approximately when significant interruptions can be expected and keep you updated on changes or current developments.

Miscellaneous

How dusty will this be?

Drywall and excavation work in dry sandy environments can be quite dusty. Most other types of construction only create local residue in the nature of sawdust or scrap material. We attempts to separate the work environment from the living environment to minimize the collection of construction residue there. At the completion of our work, you will be able to immediately move into your new living environment without the inconvenience of excessive cleaning.

Time

How long will my renovation take?

As always, it will strongly depend on the amount of work that needs to be done. One thing that sets us apart is that we operate as a fixed team rather than a loose association of tradesmen. We commit to meet with you at the appointed times and to begin work on schedule. Our professional team relationship eliminates the typical delays of one trade awaiting the arrival of another.

What does your schedule look like right now?

This can vary depending on the number of projects that are currently in progress. Our recommendation is that you contact us for a consultation about your desired renovation plan. Then we will be able to more accurately determine the schedule. Small jobs can often fit neatly between larger ones or be carried out simultaneously.

How soon can we start?

We would love to say "tomorrow," and in some cases this may be true. Actual starting dates can be months away in certain instances due to the amount of design work and other organization and preparation necessary to streamline the building process. The more common occurrance is for us to fix a date several weeks in advance so that you have time to organize the environment and prepare for construction and we have time to secure all the materials and permits necessary. We will work with you to chose the time that accomodates your schedule and our required preparation.

What about a completion date?

Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee a completion date. This is due to the constant uncertainty of the weather, work schedules, and material availability. We do guarantee consistent comunication with our clients. In many instances, we'll want to set a weekly meeting time to keep you updated. We can review projected scheduling, any current issues, material selection or changes at that time.