Our Approach to Home Remodeling

Selecting a contractor is never easy and it requires some due diligence on your part and some attention to detail. At WREI Construction, we  set ourselves apart from the competition by showing up and, time and again, our clients find tremendous satisfaction with not only the finished product, but with our design and building process, as well.

Having any sort of work done on your home is a process — and it isn’t always an easy one — but with 40 years of business experience, listening is the key to any relationship. In the construction business, you can count on us to help ease you through it, talking with you the entire way, from beginning to the end.

4 Steps to Our Design + Build Process

 Getting Started

Call the office or visit the website to request a complimentary Estimate. The next steps will occur in the following order: Phone Interview – You will have a 10 to 15 minute phone conversation with the person who will be visiting your home to discuss your project.

• We will speak with you about your home, ideas, important features, special requests, budget range, and time frames.
• If our company feels like a good fit for you and your project falls within our field of work, a site visit will be scheduled with all interested parties.

Site Visit – Review the project specifications

• discuss likely layouts; view your design inspiration; discuss the possibilities
• gather additional information pertinent to the project
• take notes and photos
• agree on a time / date to meet for your estimate review

Appointment to Discuss Your Estimate – You will be provided with:

• a brief description of your project
• the basic square footage of the spaces to be remodeled
• a list of items specific to your project and possible options
• a realistic budget range
• plans for next steps involving the design phases of the project
• return on investment worksheet; reference list; and additional reference material

We want you involved in our process so we can successfully provide for you:

• familiarization with how we communicate
• an understanding of our design process
• a visual demonstration how material finishes effect the budget range
• the tools you will need to feel comfortable with your choice of us for your project

All of this information is provided so you will have a good understanding of what is involved with your project. We want you to have confidence in WREI Construction and trust that our team is the right choice for your project.

 Design Development Steps

During the planning stage, we will concern ourselves with the attention to detail and thoroughness necessary for the success of your design. At the end of this three phase process, your project will be ready for the building permit application and the start of construction. Co-Construct Setup

• WREI will create your project in our project management software.

INITIAL DESIGN PROCESS: (Phase 1 of 3) This meeting is held at your home. Please allow 1-2 hours with all interested parties.

• Introduce our CAD technician who will draw plans of the existing structure, kitchen, bath, etc.
• Our  staff will create advanced drawings, photorealistic renderings of your project, floor plan printouts with perspectives and overhead views.
• Selection and recommendation of products to be incorporated into your project
• Obtain preliminary structural engineering if needed
• Obtain information about special items included in your project
• Schedule an in-office design presentation meeting
• Host the in-office design presentation meeting to review plans and options for: material selections that would be complimentary with your home, life style and budget. Please allow 1-2 hours at our design center.

TRADE CONTRACTOR MEETING: (Phase 2 of 3) This activity is held at your home. Please allow 1-2 hours with all interested parties.

• All trade partners who will play a large role in your project are invited. You will meet many of the people who will be on site during the construction process.
• We will take an in-depth look at the infrastructure of your home: HVAC, plumbing, electrical, framing, tile, cabinets & counters, etc.
• Sets of plans are available to attendees for accurate quotes
• As much as possible with non-destructive methods, we discuss the potential for unknown issues that might be discovered during construction.

PRESENT FINAL PRICING, SCOPE OF WORK AND PROJECT DOCUMENTATION: (Phase 3 of 3) This meeting is held at your house. Please allow 1 hour for review with all interested parties.

• Review the Scope of Work and final selections
• Review the cost breakdown, payment schedule and agreement documentation
• Discuss preliminary production schedule
• Once all documents are reviewed and agreed to, we are ready to submit all needed paperwork to secure a building permit. Receipt of the building permit begins the actual construction time line.

The time frame for the design of your project varies from 3 – 6 weeks depending on project type, complexity, ability to make selections, and in house personnel availability.

 Prepare Your Home

Having renovation work done to your home can be stressful, but don’t worry. Our team has helped our clients plan for remodeling projects for over 11 years. Just before construction begins, your Site Superintendent will meet with you for your pre-construction meeting. All documentation will be reviewed again and we will finalize a start date. Other topics covered at this meeting, if necessary, include:

• Advice for setting up and locating a temporary kitchen
• Location of a portable toilet – out of sight but not in the neighbors yard…
• Location of the material staging area with easy access to the site
• Debris control – we will need a space to park our own small dumpster
• Dust control will be discussed
• Home security will be discussed and arranged
• Project safety will be reviewed along with a discussion regarding children and pets
• Payment schedules will be reviewed

Additional Renovation Recommendations & Considerations We recommend an extensive discussion of the project with your family.

• Renovations can be challenging to deal with but a good attitude and an understanding of what is scheduled to happen goes a long way toward your satisfaction.
• For some family members the disruption of the home and personal schedules can be upsetting. Your calm demeanor can be reassuring. Remind them and yourself that this is a temporary inconvenience that will be worth it at the completion of your project.
• Understand that if the area being remodeled is a kitchen, bath or master suite, it will be disruptive to you.
• We work hard to make sure the mess is contained and minimally challenging to your family and your neighbors.
• Dealing with dust – We make extensive use of drop cloths and plastic room dividers, but please remember that dust is hard to manage.
• We will provide special flooring protection where construction traffic is likely.
• We will advise you about removal of items of value such as paintings, wall decorations, rugs, drapes and furniture.

Outdoor Landscaping Considerations: Grass, Shrubs, etc.

• We will do our best to respect your landscaping, but sometimes damage is unavoidable.
• We can talk about solutions for this, regarding damage control and replacement. These can be added to your scope of work if necessary and agreed upon up front.

Now you are ready — let the construction begin!

 Construction Underway

We’re finally ready to pound some nails! Remodeling is very exciting when it begins and the results are worth it. However, it can also be emotionally taxing. Here are some suggestions to avoid the challenges and temporary chaos of a remodeling project:

• During a home renovation, we rely on many individuals for your project. Delays can and do happen. This is not a perfect process and acknowledging this upfront prepares you for the challenge.
• Your project has a custom schedule which will be a guideline. We know that you want your project finished as soon as possible but we build in buffer days to allow for times when no work is likely to happen. This allows for minor adjustments without completely rewriting the schedule.
• Order and fabrication times on products vary. For example, there is a 7-10 day fabrication window on stone counters; the window you added at the last minute takes three weeks to arrive. This is construction reality.
• When you partner with WREI Construction,  we communicate with you throughout the building process. Keep in mind that our construction supervisor and the company owner are always available if needed.
• Find a way to relax. Having a construction crew in your home working for days, possibly weeks or months can be difficult. You might consider taking a vacation, pick up a hobby (not necessarily wood working or construction), put your favorite restaurants on speed dial and know that we generally work Monday through Friday, so you can enjoy your weekend.
• You are part of the team – If you find something that doesn’t look correct, please ask about it. Keep in mind that some construction items can’t be properly judged until they are finished. For example, tile work – it doesn’t look finished until it is grouted.
• There might be minor frustrations. PLEASE don’t hide them. Allow us to make accommodations, explain or adjust processes.

Remember, temporary inconvenience – permanent improvement. Nearly finished up – there is light at the end of the tunnel!

 Project Is Complete

Sit back, have a drink (your preference), enjoy your newly renovated space and be sure to tell your friends, neighbors and co-workers how much you are enjoying your new(ish) home.