Secrest Builders, LLC - Raleigh, NC
Remodeling, Renovations, Room Additions, Custom Homes

Remodeling Process

Secrest Builders uses a 5-phase remodeling / renovation process that ensures quality, thoroughness, and customer satisfaction. Our process includes the following Phases: 

Information Gathering Phase

During our initial, no-charge, no-obligation consultation visit with you, the homeowner, we listen carefully to you and gather some specific information about the proposed remodeling project, including:

  • Your name, address, phone number, and email address
  • Details about the lot and the house
  • Type of remodeling to be done (room addition, kitchen, bath, porch, etc.)
  • Design criteria for the project
  • Structural considerations
  • Window and door styles and brands
  • Exterior and interior trim and finishes
  • Cabinetry and countertops
  • Appliances
  • Bath fixtures and ceramic tile
  • Electrical fixtures
  • Flooring
  • Options

We will also take some photographs of the lot and areas involved in the proposed project, take some measurements, and perhaps make some sketches. 

This initial site visit is your opportunity to assess Secrest Builders as well. We will give you information about us, tell you about our business philosophy, and go over our process. We are sensitive to your concerns about security, construction dust and debris, communication, and safety.  We require our workers to adhere to strict rules of conduct while working at our job sites. At Secrest Builders we treat your home as if it were our own.

Estimating Phase

Based on information we obtain from the initial site visit, we will provide you with a Preliminary Cost Estimate that, in most cases, will be within +/- 20% of your final project cost. That percentage range may be greater for very old homes or where there are many unknowns, such as a high level of detail or complexity. There is no charge for this estimate, and we can normally have it to you in a day or two. The Preliminary Cost Estimate will help you determine if the project price is within your budget and will help you make a decision whether or not you are ready to proceed.  Along with this estimate, we will provide you with a list of references. These are names and phone numbers of customers that we have done work for in the recent past.  After we give you the Preliminary Cost Estimate, we will give you a follow-up phone call within the week to discuss the estimate.

Design Phase

If you feel the Preliminary Cost Estimate is reasonable and within your budget - and if you are comfortable with Secrest Builders as your remodeling company - then the next step is to sign a Design Agreement which begins the Design Phase. (If you already have plans from an architect/designer, we can skip this part entirely!). 

During the Design Phase, a designer, or an architect from a firm we work closely with, will schedule a visit to your home to take measurements and photographs of the areas to be remodeled, and make some sketches.  The designer or architect will develop working drawings for the proposed project and will work with you to produce final designs and plans that you are satisfied with and that depict the design that works best for you and your family. Once the plans are finalized, the preliminary drawings are completed and presented to you for your final approval. A structural engineer may review the final plans for structural integrity and code compliance.

Meetings are then scheduled at your home for the trades (framers, electricians, plumbers, carpenters, heating and air conditioning, etc.) to review the project. They are given a copy of the plans and they may ask you questions about your home. This also gives you an opportunity to speak with the professional trades we engage to work on your home. Prior to beginning the Construction Phase, you will select all options, components and items because some commodities have long order times.

Secrest Builders will then obtain specific price quotes from the trades so our Final Quote to you can be as accurate as possible. Depending on the complexity of the project, consultation with a structural engineer may be required. Once we receive the quotes from the trades, we compile the information and calculate a Final Quote for the project. A meeting with you is then scheduled to review the quote and other project details, such as allowances, options, draw schedule, the overall project schedule, etc. 

If everything is in order and you decide to proceed with construction, a Construction Agreement is signed by all parties. The Construction Agreement is a legal document and contains the project price, project specifications, allowances, structural data, HVAC, plumbing, and electrical finish components, options, payment terms and schedule, and any work to be performed by the owners. 

Construction Phase

Prior to the start of construction, a pre-construction meeting will be held so that Secrest Builders and you, the homeowner, can review all documentation, ensure all selections and option decisions have been made, and determine a start date for construction. We will also discuss how you should prepare your house for remodeling; setting up a temporary kitchen or living quarters; location of the portable toilet; location of the material staging area; location of the debris bin; dust control; home security and project safety; children and pets; parking for our workers; etc. When construction is ready to begin, Secrest Builders will provide copies of the construction schedule for all parties.  

The typical remodeling Construction Phase occurs in several steps. These may vary, depending on the requirements of the project and what is being remodeled:

  1. Planning - Finalizing plans, lining up labor, ordering initial materials, etc.
  2. Permitting - Getting permits from local municipality
  3. Site Preparation - Installing floor runners & dust barriers, disconnecting electrical circuits, relocating shrubbery and underground utilities etc.
  4. Demolition - Removing walls, bath fixtures, electrical fixtures, cabinets, etc.
  5. Footings, Foundation & Floor Framing - If required for any new additions
  6. Framing & Exterior Finishing - Building or rebuilding wall, floor, and ceiling structures and "drying in" any new exterior walls.
  7. Rough-ins - Electrical wiring and boxes, HVAC duct work, plumbing supply and drain pipes
  8. Insulation - This is for any new exterior walls, ceilings or floors.
  9. Drywall - Drywall, or "sheetrock", must be hung, taped, "mudded" and finished.
  10. Cabinets & Counter Tops - Any new cabinets and counter tops in the kitchen or baths.  
  11. Ceramic Tile - Wet area floors, shower stalls, etc.
  12. Flooring Installation - Hardwoods, ceramic tile, vinyl - not carpet yet!
  13. Interior Trim - Base moldings, chair railing, crown molding, etc.
  14. Electrical & Plumbing Fixture Installation
  15. Painting
  16. Floor Finishing - This is staining and finishing the hardwood floors
  17. Carpet
  18. Paint Touch-up
  19. Cleaning

Building, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC inspections are scheduled at certain times during the project. Throughout the project, debris will be picked up and the job site broom swept each day. The debris pile or bin will be emptied each week.  A "porta-john" will be placed on site at the curb for the workers' use. It is our intention that your home be kept as neat and clean as is possible, and that your family be affected as little as possible during the Construction Phase. Secrest Builders will meet with you, the homeowner, at least once per week - or daily if necessary - to answer any questions or discuss any concerns.  All concerns will be addressed immediately in a professional manner.

Project Completion Phase

At completion of the project a walk-through with you, the homeowners, will be performed and a final “punch list” developed.  The final payment is not due until the final walk-through and items identified on the “punch list” are completed to the satisfaction of the homeowners. The final payment initiates the warranty period. 

Secrest Builders guarantees for a period of 1 year from completion that the quality of our workmanship will meet or exceed the Home Builders Residential Construction Performance Guidelines published by the National Association of Home Builders. 

 

 
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