COPYRIGHT FDS 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
FOX DESIGN STUDIO HOME PLAN & DESIGN SPECIALISTS
PO BOX 85 : NAPLES NY 14512
PO BOX 85 : NAPLES NY 14512
Project management services-
How to take the fear out of building a new home..
Construction is in my blood. My father was a contractor, his father was a contractor, and so it goes. I worked along side my brother with our father from the time I was old enough to swing a hammer. Summer's were spent helping Dad on a job or backyard project. I went to school for Architecture, and my brother went on to become a foreman for one of the largest construction company's in the area. Dad has retired and spends his time woodworking while trying to keep up with Mom's to do list.
Along with design, I offer project management services at a flat rate based on a percentage of the budget. I need to stress that I am not offering general contracting services and wish to clarify why I believe this fresh approach to construction is both superior and safer. I am in this business because I love construction and Architecture. That being said, I feel the entire design and construction process should remain fun. Building your home should be a memorable experience that is enjoyed. I have described below some of the specifics of our project management services and included what to expect from of a General Contractor. I am not saying General contractors are bad, I just know from experience there is a safer method to the construction process for you, the future homeowner.
Project Management vs. General Contracting
Clear, established communication...
So now that your house plans & final drawings are complete you're ready to build. You just spent weeks or even months working with a design professional to prepare house plans and construction documents for your new home. You have poured out your dreams, gone over building materials, construction methods, budgets, dis-likes and so forth. By this time, a designer or Architect will understand your goals, and they respect your intentions. At this point, a good designer will know what you take in your coffee.. That being said, does it make sense to try and relay all of this information to a new player in the game? Sure, a good set of drawings will obtain all the information a contractor need but how many people speak fluent construction? Do you know the building process? Chances are you don't and if you are one of the people who do, you hired someone else to build your home because you simply do not have the time to do it yourself.
Have more control and spend less money...
With our project management services, you control your money at all times while we do all the work. We screen all the sub-contractors, we review and write contracts, get quotes, hunt low prices and make sure everyone is doing quality work in a timely fashion. We submit our recommendations to you with contracts and the specifics. You make the final decisions and write the checks. This means you stay in control at all times with the people who work on your project and how much you pay them. With a General contractor, you give him a large amount of money, and he pulls the strings.
You spend your money...
A General Contractor will receive large draws at each construction phase. This huge responsibility comes down to his or her ability to manage this money. Once the G.C. has this money in hand, you're stuck. The process of firing a general contractor who at this time could be handling hundreds of thousands of dollars of your money is very risky. If sub-contractors and materials are not paid YOU can be stuck with a lien on your new home. Sure, you can go after the G.C. but who wants to spend more time and money doing so? With my process, you know everyone is paid because you wrote the checks. You also know that you got the best value for your money without having to wonder how much your General contractor made off of the sub contractor's labor.
Save money, cut out the mark-up...
When you decide to use a General Contractor, you have very little control over how your money is spent. A sink may cost you $275.00 when the G.C. paid $200.00. This mark up process is common business and continues throughout an entire construction project. It will cost you thousands by the end. Think about this, If a G.C. quotes $400,000 but completes the project for $325,000, he keeps the "profit". With our services, you know where your money was spent and when you come in under budget, you keep your money.
How do we make money being your project manager?
We work on a small percentage of the estimated cost of construction. This amount ends up being less than half of what a general contractor will cost, not including money you lose to his markup and profit. We divide our percentage over four to six months during construction. If at anytime you are unhappy with our services, you discontinue our payment, and we turn the project over to the person you choose. We believe in fair flat rates, and that business should be easy. You know from the beginning how much you will pay me and where the construction money is spent.
Who better to oversee your project than the designer?
Who better to oversee your project than the designer? Well, no one... We know the details of your project and why they were executed. What makes perfect sense to you, and I may seem trivial to an outside contractor while he is working on your home. The result is work that usually ends up "the way we have always done it".. We can be at the site all day if needed, which means you never come to the project just to see that progress went in the wrong direction.
Let's wrap it up...
A final point is this. General contractors use their subs to make money. General contractors works for himself and at the end of the day his business is his best interest. This is not personal. They are in it to make money as well. With our approach, we are paid to be sure that your best interests are met. We make the same amount of money regardless. Again, it is not that general contractors are bad, there are simply better methods to choose from.
How to take the fear out of building a new home..
Construction is in my blood. My father was a contractor, his father was a contractor, and so it goes. I worked along side my brother with our father from the time I was old enough to swing a hammer. Summer's were spent helping Dad on a job or backyard project. I went to school for Architecture, and my brother went on to become a foreman for one of the largest construction company's in the area. Dad has retired and spends his time woodworking while trying to keep up with Mom's to do list.
Along with design, I offer project management services at a flat rate based on a percentage of the budget. I need to stress that I am not offering general contracting services and wish to clarify why I believe this fresh approach to construction is both superior and safer. I am in this business because I love construction and Architecture. That being said, I feel the entire design and construction process should remain fun. Building your home should be a memorable experience that is enjoyed. I have described below some of the specifics of our project management services and included what to expect from of a General Contractor. I am not saying General contractors are bad, I just know from experience there is a safer method to the construction process for you, the future homeowner.
Project Management vs. General Contracting
Clear, established communication...
So now that your house plans & final drawings are complete you're ready to build. You just spent weeks or even months working with a design professional to prepare house plans and construction documents for your new home. You have poured out your dreams, gone over building materials, construction methods, budgets, dis-likes and so forth. By this time, a designer or Architect will understand your goals, and they respect your intentions. At this point, a good designer will know what you take in your coffee.. That being said, does it make sense to try and relay all of this information to a new player in the game? Sure, a good set of drawings will obtain all the information a contractor need but how many people speak fluent construction? Do you know the building process? Chances are you don't and if you are one of the people who do, you hired someone else to build your home because you simply do not have the time to do it yourself.
Have more control and spend less money...
With our project management services, you control your money at all times while we do all the work. We screen all the sub-contractors, we review and write contracts, get quotes, hunt low prices and make sure everyone is doing quality work in a timely fashion. We submit our recommendations to you with contracts and the specifics. You make the final decisions and write the checks. This means you stay in control at all times with the people who work on your project and how much you pay them. With a General contractor, you give him a large amount of money, and he pulls the strings.
You spend your money...
A General Contractor will receive large draws at each construction phase. This huge responsibility comes down to his or her ability to manage this money. Once the G.C. has this money in hand, you're stuck. The process of firing a general contractor who at this time could be handling hundreds of thousands of dollars of your money is very risky. If sub-contractors and materials are not paid YOU can be stuck with a lien on your new home. Sure, you can go after the G.C. but who wants to spend more time and money doing so? With my process, you know everyone is paid because you wrote the checks. You also know that you got the best value for your money without having to wonder how much your General contractor made off of the sub contractor's labor.
Save money, cut out the mark-up...
When you decide to use a General Contractor, you have very little control over how your money is spent. A sink may cost you $275.00 when the G.C. paid $200.00. This mark up process is common business and continues throughout an entire construction project. It will cost you thousands by the end. Think about this, If a G.C. quotes $400,000 but completes the project for $325,000, he keeps the "profit". With our services, you know where your money was spent and when you come in under budget, you keep your money.
How do we make money being your project manager?
We work on a small percentage of the estimated cost of construction. This amount ends up being less than half of what a general contractor will cost, not including money you lose to his markup and profit. We divide our percentage over four to six months during construction. If at anytime you are unhappy with our services, you discontinue our payment, and we turn the project over to the person you choose. We believe in fair flat rates, and that business should be easy. You know from the beginning how much you will pay me and where the construction money is spent.
Who better to oversee your project than the designer?
Who better to oversee your project than the designer? Well, no one... We know the details of your project and why they were executed. What makes perfect sense to you, and I may seem trivial to an outside contractor while he is working on your home. The result is work that usually ends up "the way we have always done it".. We can be at the site all day if needed, which means you never come to the project just to see that progress went in the wrong direction.
Let's wrap it up...
A final point is this. General contractors use their subs to make money. General contractors works for himself and at the end of the day his business is his best interest. This is not personal. They are in it to make money as well. With our approach, we are paid to be sure that your best interests are met. We make the same amount of money regardless. Again, it is not that general contractors are bad, there are simply better methods to choose from.