2. 2
Welcome!
Team Introductions
Vision & Goals
S3 Design Group provides extraordinary value in every aspect of our service
by providing creative designs and delivering quality products and
workmanship.
We’re committed to:
Maintain open communication
Deliver valuable information
Research and outline expectations
Operate with Honesty & Integrity
Empower individuals
Care for our environment
Invest in our future
3. 3
Why are we here?
Our Goals
Learn about contractor selection
Give you an overview of the construction process
Developing and understanding expectations
“We are committed to
planning and building
a project you love.”
4. 4
What to consider
Financial
Lower property taxes vs new home purchase
Increased value
Efficiency and conservation
Emotional
Discouraged, disappointed & hopeless
Significant events (Marriage, home purchase, children)
Dreams & aspirations
Physical
Currents needs, new children, parents, space
Location, high appreciation value, great schools, desired neighborhood
New home, same address
5. 5
Sobering statistics
In California alone:
315,324 licensed contractors
90% will be bankrupt within the first 5 years
California State License Board has 434 employees
23,205 complaints opened in 2008
85% of these homeowners were dissatisfied with the work done by their
contractor (job was not done on-time, on-budget and specifications were
ignored/amended to suit the contractor)
Be educated & informed
Company Philosophy
Our philosophy is simple;
Build relationships that maintain
“a customer for life.”
6. 6
Who are you inviting into your home?
There’s a scale to general contractors
1 is low – 10 is high – There is no standard
9-10 Offers a Process & Communication (Reliable)
7-8 Offers Quality Product & Service (Looking good)
5-6 Licensed, Bonded & Insured (The bare minimum plus)
3-4 Licensed & bonded (The bare minimum)
1-2 No License & no bond (The bottom of the barrel)
↑
7. 7
How to ensure you hire a “10”
Current Active License (Contractor State License Board)
General Liability Insurance
Worker Compensation
Employment history
Current and past clients references
Vendors and subcontractors
Current projects in process & their availability
Quality/Assurance
Performance Bond when is it necessary
Liquidated Damages (completed on time or contractor pays you)
Establishment/Office location
Professionalism
Company Vision & Mission
Process & procedures
Trade associations
8. 8
Architect
Licensed, advanced degree, typically not a residential requirement unless building over three
stories or multi-family over four units
Building Designer
Realistically renders your design concepts, same scope of work as licensed architect, much less to
spend
Structural Engineer (Specialty Engineers – as required)
Responsible for reviewing structural aspects; such as walls, foundations, support issues (makes
sure your house doesn’t fall over)
Interior Designer
What tile matches your cabinets? Designer assists with furniture, color, fixtures, etc.
C License
Specialty Contractor, plumber, electrician, etc. (can only perform licensed trade)
B License (build vs. design build)
General Contractor, able to perform all trades
Be Educated & Informed! Know your team
9. 9
Design Process
Gather information
Complete Client Questionnaire
Complete Needs, Wants, Dreams
Complete Working within Budget
Complete Inspiration Process & Review
Obtain city planning requirements
Preliminary Plan Set
Complete Site Analysis (Measure, Photograph, & Inspect)
Complete Site Plan
Create Existing Plan(s)
Create Proposed Plan(s)
Client Review
Design Review Meeting(s) (Repeat as Necessary)
Optional project pricing review(s) (Repeat as Necessary)
Proposed plan revisions (Repeat as Necessary)
Architectural Plan Set
Complete Interior & Exterior Elevation(s)
Complete Electrical/Mechanical/Plumbing Plan(s)
Complete Structural Plans & Details (As Required)
Order Additional Documentation (As Required)
Title 24 Energy, Truss, Structural Engineering Calculations, Other Engineering Etc.
Permitting process
Submit to City for Planning & Building Review
Revise Plans Per City Request (Repeat as Necessary)
Pay for permit and receive approved construction documents
An Inspired Plan…
Produces Dream Results
10. 10
Construction process…from planning to building
City Planning Department
Zoning (district – regulation codes)
Design review (setbacks, heights, F.A.R., impervious)
City Building Department
Plan check (verifies the planning & building documentation)
Permits (city calculated and issued)
Inspections (verifies code compliance )
11. 11
The Construction Contract
All items are included in the bid (no oral agreements) (NO ASSUMPTIONS) IT MUST BE IN WRITTING
Specifications are the written details of what will be included in the project
(all products/appliances/fixtures should be new unless otherwise noted)
Reference to plans (plans included in bid)
Total bid amount (materials & labor)
Exclusions (items not included, landscaping)
Allowances (amount to purchases items within the contract)
Down Payment 10% or $1,000.00
Change order process
Project start and end dates
Warranties / Indemnification
Liquidated Damage Clause (contractor completes on time or they pay you)
Schedule of payments must correspond to project milestones (never get ahead of the contractor in payments vs.
work performed and inspected – you will almost always regret it)
Dispute resolution, arbitration, civil litigation
12. 12
Jobsite guidelines
Integrity of workers
Job site cleanliness
Construction timeline & scheduling
Phase 1 (building the shell)
Demo, concrete, Framing
Roofing, windows, siding
Phase 2 (The meat and potatoes)
Plumbing, Mechanical, Electrical, Low Voltage Wiring (Rough trades)
Insulation, Drywall
Phase 3 (The glitz and glamour)
Cabinets
Masonry work (Tile, Countertops, Showers, Backsplash, Floors)
Doors & trim
Flooring
Fixtures (Plumbing, Electrical, Appliances)
Construction Phases
13. 13
A remodeling or construction job is a shared project between the client and the
contractor.
Contractors expect clients …
To be available for decisions
To have an established form of timely communication
To review and select finish items early in the construction process, i.e. plumbing fixtures,
appliances, etc
To make specific decisions well before installation
To have access to remodel areas
To clean out the contents of the soon-to-be-remodeled areas
To have progress payments ready upon milestones or dates per contract
To be aware of possible project delays
Outline Your Expectations!
The Contractor Expects…
14. 14
Outline Your Expectations!
The Client Expects…
Clients expect contractors to be the experts.
Clients expect the Contractor…
To research any local ordinances or special permit requirements.
To have a detailed contract
To have a progress payment schedule based on milestones/dates in contract
To have a specific construction time-line
To be available for decisions
To have an established form of quick communication
To schedule face-to-face weekly meetings
To be pragmatic and solution oriented
To schedule finish choice deadlines
To continually update on the good, bad and ugly
To have an agreed upon change order process
To pass all trade inspections
To review what aspects of the project will be tackled by subcontractors
To have signed subcontractor/vendor lien releases prior to payment
To request payments when milestones/dates have been met according to contract
To have product demonstrations as necessary and final project walkthrough
15. 15
Each project is unique, ask questions…
Where will you live during construction? (cost vs comfort)
Where is everything? (Even the cleanest job site is dusty, loud, supplies,
equipment and lots of strangers in your home)
Furniture (move and protect)
Valuables (remove from property)
Pets (“Where is Peanut?”)
Landscape (“My azaleas are smashed!”)
Organization (what to do with all the stuff during the improvements)
Decisions, decisions, decisions…
16. 16
Finishing Smoothly!
Your contractor should want a referable client!
Contractor pre-punch list and client final punch list
Lien releases: Sub-contractor(s) and materials supplier(s)
Demonstrations and maintenance
Final Inspection
Warranty: Ask about SB 800, 10 year warranty
NEVER make a final payment before the project is finished
30 day Customer Survey
18. 18
Remodeling your life (Part 1)
Dealing with feelings…
What’s your approach?
Stress
Anger
Frustration
Non-Agreement
Disappointment
Envious
19. 19
Remodeling your life (Part 2)
Encouragement
Patience - Expect that things will go wrong
Forgiveness - Expect humans to be at your home working
Consideration - Expect there are two sides to every story
Understanding - Expect every decision has implication
Take your time - don’t rush it; this too shall pass
Ensure quality - don’t compromise long term happiness
Finish smooth - enjoy your remodel for years to come
20. 20
Contact us today
(408)-629-9906
www.S3DesignGroup.com
Let’s build something special
CEO Nickolas Sosa (business owner, Real Estate Broker, General Contractor,
Certified green builder) who has been intricately involved in all aspects of home
improvement from residential design to interior space planning; from construction
estimating to project management, says, “our team is committed to work together for
your benefit; S3 Design Group is in the business of providing a refreshing experience.”
Notas do Editor
We’ like to take a quick moment to find out why you are here.
What kind of projects are you thinking about?
What if any is your previous experience with remodeling/contractors?
Financial
Efficiency & conservation through upgrading with items like
Double paned windows, hvac, solar systems, insulation
Emotional
Depressed about current space/conditions
New Home purchase
Physical
The birth of a child, aging parents
You love the schools and don’t want to move
Brand new home with the same old address
9-10 Offers a Process & Communication: Meets all the requirements including great quality products and has processes and great communication
7-8 Offers Quality Product & Service: but may not have good communication and project looks great but the process was a nightmare
5-6 Licensed, Bonded & Insured (The bare minimum plus)
3-4 Licensed & bonded (The bare minimum)
1-2 No License & no bond (The bottom of the barrel)
<number>
Office location – do they have one?
A office offers stability.
A location to visit.
Not in the contractors truck offering tail light warranties