Rockridge Builders Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can you assist me with design and product selections?
A: "Absolutely. On every project, particularly residential ones, we typically put together a spreadsheet listing each thing that needs to be decided but may not have been selected. With residential customers, that’s often a gigantic hurdle. Their plans may not be developed completely, so they might need guidance, and we provide it."
Q: Who will be running the job?
A: "We have superintendents and foremen. We assure our customers there will be one contact person and leader on the project from start to finish. Also, owner Bill Hinkamp is involved in each project at the outset. When we get involved with a project designed by somebody else, by the time we get through estimating it, we typically know more about it than the architect does."
Q: How long will my project take?
A: "We always have a schedule at the beginning of a project, but it’s not unusual for there to be changes and additions as it moves along. Initially, we have either on-site or telephone meetings about these issues, so customers are always informed about what will happen and when. Typically, as customers become more comfortable and accustomed to us and our process, those meetings become much more casual. Sometimes, they’re cancelled altogether, but at least clients know the time is set aside for them."
Q: I’m always hearing about projects that spin out of control. Will mine?
A: "Most of the reason for “project creep” is that during the project, you think of something else…and then something else. Pretty soon, it’s beyond the scope of the plans. But we make sure the customer is involved with the process. If something comes up, we’ll have a conversation about it. If there are changes, you’re the one driving them, not us."
Q: What’s it like to live in a house during construction? What’s your policy on clean up?
A: "Whether you’re living there during construction or not, we leave the job site broom-clean at the end of every day. When you come home, or if you just want to walk through the job site, there won’t be any hazards. You can see the project for what it is, rather than for what’s left behind.If you’re living in the house while we’re working on it, we’ll discuss what spaces are going to be worked on, how we’re going to protect them, and how to gain access to them. We cordon off that area and protect it as much as we can. We use dust curtains with zipper control, so anybody can come in and out without taking the whole thing down."
Q: What can you tell me about your employees?
A: "We do background checks on all our employees. We also have an employee manual, and we hold monthly meetings on handling job situations and company protocol. Everybody knows what’s important."