This is a basic sequence of events....

(see 'Planning Your Home')


(when you already have a set of plans..learn more)


Once a contract has been signed construction work can be scheduled.  For a typical residential addition you can expect the following steps:

All remodeling and renovation work requires permits. Once you have approved and signed off on your project drawings (see Planning Your Home), a
permit set of the drawings are forwarded to the appropriate city and/or county building departments for plan review and building permits.  Depending
on where your project is located, the plans may need to be reviewed by the historical review department.  How soon this process is completed depends
on how many submitted plans are ahead of yours.  Once the permit(s) are issued, you must post a copy of the permit in a prominant place at the job
site until the job is completed.  In addition, a 'mansionization sign' provided by Montgomery County's permit office must be posted for 30 days in front
of the house.

During the demolition (tear-out) stage, everything that is being replaced is torn out and removed.  Things not being removed are covered and protected.
For jobs with a lot of demolition debris, a roll-off dumpster will be located at the jobsite.

For additions and new construction it is necessary to excavate for footings, foundations, etc.  Before this can take place "Miss Utility" must be notified
so all the parties involved (utility, telephone and cable companies) can mark the locations of underground cables, lines, and pipes.) 

Once everything is marked  work can begin.  It is extremely important that you don't allow anyone to remove any stakes, strings, or any other kind of
markings in and around the work area.  Once the digging begins it is important that you, as well as small children, stay safely away from the hole.
Digging may be done by hand or may require excavation equipment like a backhoe, bobcat, or loader.

Once the excavation work is completed work is started on concrete footings, foundation slabs, walls, etc. Depending on the job, concrete pumping
machinery may be used in additon to the cement mixers.  Concrete blocks or stone are used for forming foundation walls, steps, fireplaces, etc.

During this phase, beams and columns, floor framing, subfloors, wall and roof framing, and openings and framing for doors and windows are worked on. 
This is where you'll see your project taking shape.  After this phase, we are "dried in".

Throughout the entire construction process steps are taken to protect the improvements from from moisture and the elements. Protective covering of
the work environment, insulation, roofing, flashing, venting, guttering, caulking and sealing all fall into this category.

During the framing process, openings for doors and windows were created. Now it's time to install the doors and windows and all necessary trim to
complete the process.


During this phase, the electrician installs wiring and other electrical work as specified in the drawings, the plumber does the rough-in, and the
heating/cooling duckwork, etc. is done.  All this work must be completed and inspected before insulation is installed and before the walls and
ceilings are closed in.

This inspection insures that all work done so far meets national, state, and local building codes.  If there are any code violations or incorrect work,
the inspectors will point that out and another inspection scheduled at a later date.  Once the work passes the close-in inspection, construction can
continue.

During the finishing phases insulation is installed, drywall is hung, various mouldings installed, wood and tile floors are laid, tilework for walls is
completed.  Cabinetry, appliances, countertops, bathroom fixtures, etc. are all installed.  The rest of the mechanical work such as bathroom
fixtures, and lighting is completed.


Once the job passes final inspection, the final wrap-up begins. This involves a process call "Punch-Out".  During this process you walk around
the project with us making a list indicating exactly what is needed for the job to be complete. This list should consist of minor things, as you
have been involved during the entire construction phase and anything major would have already been discovered and dealt with.

A final clean-up is performed and your newly remodeled/renovated home is now yours again to enjoy without the daily interruptions of having us around.