Marin – Contractors - Design & Build

Before you choose a design and build contractor in Marin County, call them on the phone to discuss your options. It's good to have a list of questions ready and to write down the answers that the design and build contractor gives you while you're talking to them. Use the following questions to guide in your discussion:

1. Has your company earned and maintained a Diamond Certified rating?

• Will the Marin County general contractor provide a written contract?
• Does the design-build contractor have a sales tax ID and a valid license or permit?
• Do you guarantee your work?
• Will you provide me with written lien wavers?
• How long has your Alameda construction company been in business?
• Will the general contractor provide a written estimate for the general construction?

It's best to choose a Diamond Certified design and build contractor because all certified companies have passed an in-depth ratings process that most other companies can't pass. If you want quality contractor work in Marin County and the greater Bay Area, you can have confidence choosing a Diamond Certified company. Diamond Certified reports are available online for all certified companies. And you'll never be fooled by fake reviews. That's because all research is performed in live telephone interviews of actual customers.

If you can't find a Diamond Certified design and build contractor within reach, you'll have to do some research on your own. If you do, it's wise to call some references provided by your design and build contractor. Keep in mind, though, that references provided to you by the design and build contractor are not equal in value to the large random sample of customers surveyed during the Diamond Certified ratings process. That's because references given to customers from companies are cherry-picked instead of randomly selected from all their customers. So the contractors will likely give you a few customers to call that they know are satisfied.

If you do call references on your own, specifically ask for a list of the company's 10 most recent customers. This will help avoid them giving you the names of only customers they know were satisfied.

1. Did they finish the job on time?
2. Did the general contractor clean up after completing the job?
3. Do you feel like the general contractor charged a fair price for the quality of the work?
4. Did the contractor seem receptive to your input?
5. Did the design and build contractor show up on time?
6. If you need a design and build contractor in the future, will you consider hiring this general contractor?
7. Were you satisfied with the service from the (design and build contractor name)?
8. What type of design and build project did you hire the general contractor to complete?
9. Would you recommend this design and build contractor to your family and friends?
10. Did the contractor provide answers to questions to your satisfaction?
11. Were there any unexpected costs? If so, what?

Once you've hired a design-build company in Marin County, including the smaller cities of Olema, Stinson Beach, Woodacre, Belvedere Tiburon, and Bolinas, you will have an initial meeting between you and the contractor to discuss your requirements and the contractor's qualifications. An estimate of the projects and its feasibility is drawn out. Furthermore, you will discuss the budget and design of the project as well as any restrictions and permissions that will be needed. The contractor will provide you with an estimate based on the design specifications. He will also offer choices in terms of designs and construction. Once the final contract has been drawn, the next step will be applying for permission. Last of all, the construction and financing process will begin.

Be Contract Specific

Once the contract is drawn up, it should be signed by both parties: you, the project owner, and the contractor. If any sub-contractors will be involved, they should sign the contract as well. The contract should protect the interests of both you and the contractor. As a result, it should include the following:

• A clear, concise, and complete description of the project, including start and completion dates. It should also include who will be responsible for each aspect of the project.
• Contractor's name, physical address, mailing address and phone.
• Quote of the project.
• Terms of payment schedule as well as the payment schedule for the contractor, subcontractor(s) and suppliers.
• Who will be responsible for obtaining necessary permits (this is usually the contractor).
• Warranties should be written and the length of time as well as limitations should be covered. Warranties should cover materials and workmanship, and names and addresses of the warrantor. This may include the contractor, manufacturer, and distributor.
• Detailed materials list: product, size, color, type, model, and brand name. Any additional or alternate materials that may be used if necessary should also be listed.
• How "change orders" will be handled. Any changes or additions to the project should be written up in the contract so that the conditions for change are pre-determined. Furthermore, the contract should list how and when payment will be made for adjustments. Because change orders are common aspects of most remodeling jobs, it is common for remodelers to require payment before the work actually begins.
• Any oral promises made.

Take Precautions to Protect Yourself
Taking precautions will help protect you and your home project investment. It will also increase your chances of success. Consider the following guidelines:

• Do not make final payment until the work completed meets agreed upon specifications, building code requirements, and that subcontractors and suppliers have all been paid.
• Do not sign a contract or any document until you have thoroughly read through it and filled in any blank spaces.
• Do not sign a contract that uses vague terms. Make sure that all terms are specific regarding project requirements and the work that will be performed.
• Don't agree to finance your project through your contractor. Shop around for better loan terms.
• Agree to make payments as the project progresses, contingent upon completion of a determined amount of work. This way, if work on the project is delayed, payment will be delayed as well.
• Before deeding your property, be sure to first consult an attorney or knowledgeable friend or family member.

When the design and build contract work is completed, your design and build contractor is required to give you a written invoice. This must include:

• The name and physical address of the design and build contractor
• A list of all work performed, including the warranty
• An itemized list of all merchandise purchased or included
• The total design and build project cost, including the amount charged for labor, if any

Design and build contractors in Marin County, including the larger cities of San Rafael, Novato, Mill Valley, San Anselmo, Larkspur, and Corte Madera, provide all types of design and build projects. Following is a list of the most popular projects.

Craftsman homes
Craftsman homes is an American architectural design tht began in the last years of the 19^th century. It has its origins from the British arts and crafts movement, emphasizing the hand-made over the mass-produced. Craftsman homes feature simplicity of form, local natural materials, and visibility of handicraft.

Chalet-style homes
Reminiscent of homes on alpine ski slopes, chalet style homes are rustic homes based on Swiss alpine cottages. They have a rectangular shape, big lofts, large windows, and steep gabled roofs.

Luxury homes
Luxury homes are high-end homes in affluent communities. The high-end status is determined by location, property entry, architecture, decor, decadent amenities, entertainment capability, grounds, etc.

Beach homes
A beach home is a home designed for the beach. Typically beach homes are a form of a vacation home rather than a permanent residence.

A-frame homes
A-frame houses feature steeply-angled sides that usually begin at or near the foundation line and meet at the top, creating a home that looks like the letter A.

Green homes
Green homes are built using a process that is environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout the building's life-cycle. This "green" process includes design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation, and demolition. The purpose of a "green" home is to reduce the overall impact of the home on the human health and natural environment.

Split-level homes
A split-level home is similar to a ranch home. It features three levels of living space on a floor plan that makes economical use of the building lot.

Home additions
Home additions can be added to your home in order to increase its value and comfort. These additions include sunrooms, pop-top home additions, multi-level additions, or multi-room additions.

Victorian homes
Victorian homes are usually two story homes with steep roof pitches, turrets, and dormers. Typically a Victorian home has a large porch as well.

Log homes
Log homes are structurally identical to log cabins because they are made from logs that have not been milled into conventional lumber.

Below are key design/build contractor terms and descriptions that will help you through your design and build project.

blueprint
A blueprint is a paper reproduction of an architectural design. Usually these paper drawings are on white paper with blue lines but it is a generic term for any detailed architectural design.

Also known as: the blueprint, home blueprints, half pipe blueprints, house blue prints, blue print maker, construction blueprints

change order
A written order to the contractor that details changes to the specified work quantities or modifications that are in the original contract.

Also known as: construction change order form, change order request form, change order form template

commercial building construction
This is a reference to constructing a commercial building that will be used for business purposes.

Also known as: industrial building construction, building construction companies, commercial building, commercial building contractors, commercial buildings, metal building construction, commercial building contractor, construction cost for commercial building, residential construction companies, commercial building construction costs

commercial buildings
A commercial building is a building used for commercial use. Types include retail, such as convenience stores, shopping malls, etc., warehouses, and office buildings.

Also known as: commercial buildings for lease, commercial storage buildings, prefabricated commercial buildings, steel commercial buildings, commercial building plans, commercial building designs, commercial building inspection

custom home designs
Custom home designs are designs for home that are modern and unique.

Also known as: custom home plans, home designs, custom designed homes, luxury home designs, custom design homes, small home designs, new custom homes, custom home construction, contemporary home designs

design-bid-build services
This is a reference to a project delivery system used in the construction industry. In this method, the design and construction services are contracted by a single contractor or business known as the design-build contractor.

designers
Designers have expertise in certain areas of home remodeling and decor, such as kitchens or bathrooms.

exteriordesign-build services
This is a type of construction in which the exterior view of a property is designed and built by a single entity known as the design-build contractor.

Also known as: exterior design, design build companies, exterior designers, design build firm, exterior design ideas, exterior home design, design build architects, house exterior design

generalcontractors
General contractors manage all aspects of a project. This includes hiring and supervising subcontractors, obtaining materials and building permits, and scheduling inspections.

Also known as: certified general contractors, association of general contractors

high-end home design/build services
High-end homes are luxurious homes in affluent communities. The high-end status is determined by location, property entry, architecture, decor, decadent amenities, entertainment capability, grounds, etc.

Also known as: luxury homes, high end homes for sale, high end real estate, high end mobile homes, high end home builders, luxury houses for sale, luxury home for sale

home addition design-build services
This is a reference to the design and construction services being contracted by a single contractor or business known as the design-build contractor to add an additional room or rooms to a home.

Also known as: home addition plan, home additions, home additions remodeling, home addition design, home addition designer, custom home design build, home addition plans

home floor plans
This is the blueprint or design for a home that is typically drawn up by an architect.

Also known as: luxury home floor plans, log home floor plans, ranch home floor plans, small home floor plans, home floor plans free, modular home floor plans

home remodeling designs and construction
In this method, the design and construction services are contracted by a single contractor or business known as the design-build contractor to remodel a home.

Also known as: home remodeling design, remodeling design, home remodeling contractors, kitchen remodeling design, home remodeling kitchen, kitchen remodeling designs, home construction remodeling, home remodeling plans, homes remodeling, room additions, home remodeling contractor, house remodeling plans, home remodeling companies, home remodeling additions, remodeling designs, home remodeling company

interiordesign-build services
In this method, the design and construction services are contracted by a single contractor or business known as the design-build contractor in order to remodel the interior of a home or building.

Also known as: office interior design, interior design office, interior designers office, office interior designers, interior designs office, interior design services

kitchen designs
This is a reference to the different designs or constructions of a kitchen.

Also known as: galley kitchen designs, best kitchen designs, kitchen designs photos, traditional kitchen designs, kitchen designs with islands, outdoor kitchen designs, kitchen design software, kitchen design gallery, kitchen designs on a budget

licensedarchitects
Architects who have met the standards for licensing by the California Architects Board are licensed. This includes completion of the two state-run intern development programs known as CIDP and IDP; completion of the Architect Registration Examination; and completion of the oral examination known as the CSE.

specialtycontractors
Specialty contractors install particular aspects of a project such as the plumbing or electrical work.

standard bid
The traditional cost that is associated with the materials and labor needed to construct the project.

subcontractor
Any constructor who contracts to perform parts of the work of a project that the original contractor contacted to do.

Also known as: subcontractor agreement template, subcontractor agreement, subcontractor agreement form, sample subcontractor agreement, subcontractor agreement, subcontractor agreement construction, subcontractors insurance, insurance for subcontractors

tenant improvements
This is a reference to improving an apartment complex through renovations that is being rented by tenants, or renters.

Also known as: tenant improvement contractors, tenant improvement allowance

vacation home
This is a home that is used seasonally as a vacation residence rather than being lived in year round.

Also known as: vacation home plans, rent a vacation home, vacation homes for rent