New Homes

It’s not just what we do, it’s our process!

Pre-Construction Planning Checklist  - all projects start with an organizing of ideas from the outset.  Being able to gather and organize those ideas is critical.  From procuring the right plan to deciding on a site, these are important decisions - one’s you’ll have to live with for years to come.  Our framework helps you to feel confident as we guide you thorough these initial steps.

Detailed Estimating - estimating, by definition, is not exact... but it can be very closely done if your professional  has been in numerous estimating situations before. Experience weights enormously into this difficult and critical stage. Couple this with industry standard estimating tools [utilizing tried estimating methods], and the standard for costing can be established at the outset.

Comprehensive Scope Documentation - the baseline to your project.  Once your professional has listened to what a client wants, details need to be documented for everyone [employees, supervisors, architects, builders, and clients] to conform to. These details are costed using the same costing methods that the estimating was done with - consistently and predictably

Communication Framework - once a financial framework is established, communicating the specifics of the project follows. This process is assisted significantly by the contractor’s ability to listen. This may sound trite, but listening takes years of comprehensive knowledge to be able to hear what a prospective client is really saying. SkyTop Builders has that knowledge.  Additionally, we use SkyTop.TV to update clients and track numerous parts of our business.   Some clients might get nervous and think that all this technology adds additional costs to the project.  In reality, because of the decades-long exposure to technology, this tool [being used properly] does what it’s supposed to do - reduce costs.  Ask us to prove this to you.

Payment Schedules - our approach to payments won’t give you a heart attack. The thought of giving any contractor 1/3 of a $150K project makes everyone nervous - and it should.  Our payment schedule requires a binder up front of 5-15% depending on scope and the first payment is due when work or any special orders begin.  As such, the project payments are commensurate with progress. 

Project Planning - mapping out the project is necessary to manage everyone’s expectations. It’s also a tool for holding the involved parties accountable. In construction, there are lots of dependencies.  This necessitates planning even more.

Shopping Lists - building a home involves thousands of inputs.  Many of these get very specific.  Our plans show dependancies like items the client needs to shop for long before they need to be installed.  If you don’t have a process for this, you’ll be like everyone else that builds in WNC - you’ll be waiting or settling.  Why do either?  For example, it the client wants body jets in their shower, this involves many things.  It will require extra plumbing, larger requirements for hot water, body jet layout locations to correspond to tile patterns, coordination of trims with other bathroom fixtures, etc... and that’s just one illustration.  Item procurement requires timing.  These shopping lists make these decisions fit into the plan... on time.

Change Management - This process is bound to go through changes. These are documented and costed as well - using the same methods used while estimating and scoping.  Given this, a client is able to manage their needs, wants, and finances accordingly.