OUR PROCESS:

STEP ONE: Initial meetings

Calling our office:
When you first contact our office, we will discuss your plans and help you evaluate whether American West is the right company to meet your needs. During this call we will discuss your project ideas, the positive impact the project will have, budgets and financing. Then, if you decide that we may be the right contractor for your project, we will schedule an in-home visit. Before our first visit we will have you compile a list of wants and needs, start collecting pictures of how you would like your project to look and feel, and establish a budget for the project.

Summary:

1. Evaluate if American West is the right company for you

2. Discuss your project, reasons for doing it, budget and financing

3. Schedule in-home consultation

4. Homeowner complies list of needs and wants in addition to pictures and 

    clippings

5. Review the American West website

First Home Visit:
During the initial home visit, we will assess the feasibility of your project and explain in further detail how we can best serve you. This visit is an opportunity to get acquainted and to establish a working relationship based on trust and respect.

If you wish to move forward with essential pre-construction planning, we will offer you our Construction Retainer Agreement that we both will sign.

Summary:

1. Assess project feasibility

2. Discuss in further detail project plans, reasons for doing the project,  

    budget and financing

3. Gather information for your preliminary cost analysis

Preliminary Cost Analysis
Each project is unique, and each type of space to be renovated or added has its own range of square-foot pricing. A kitchen’s range of square-foot pricing is vastly different from a screened-porch-addition’s range of square-foot pricing, or even an attic renovation or second floor addition. We can show you historical pricing for the type of work you have in mind. We will give you a unique one-page report, called the Preliminary Cost Analysis, which specifies the type(s) of square footage and the mid-range and upscale costs. This analysis will be the basis for refining the overall budget for your project. If you already have detailed architectural drawings and products selected you may skip to “Final Construction Pricing and Plans”.

Summary:

Provide a Preliminary Cost Analysis of Project

 

STEP TWO: Pre-construction – Moving forward

Retainer Agreement
When you are ready to move forward with essential pre-construction planning, we will offer you our Construction Retainer Agreement. At this point, we will require a partially refundable deposit, based upon the size of your project. The deposit will be applied toward your first payment on the project once the construction phase is underway.

This approach makes it possible for you to “test drive” American West before signing a major construction contract. It gives you a chance to spend time with our firm, see how we work, and establish a high level of confidence before we pick up the first hammer. We are one of only a few contractors that offer this opportunity.

Summary:

1. Decide to move forward with American West

2. Sign Retainer Agreement

Building a Team
Next we build a team, which usually consists of the client (you), an architect/designer, a structural engineer (if required), and American West as your general contractor. Each member of the team must be fully committed to moving the project steadily toward a successful completion.

Choosing an Architect and Designing the Plans
You may already have an architect and a design plan, or you may prefer that we recommend a source for these services. American West has developed excellent working relationships with several award-winning residential architectural firms in the Twin Cities area and also do in-house drafting. As we get to know you and the scope of your project, and will gladly direct you to the firm we think will best serve your needs and work well with our team. We don’t use in-house designers as a profit center, rather we believe the best architects and designers are those who are accomplished enough to operate their own firms and profit from their expertise. Once the architectural firm has been hired, American West will work with you and the design team to help evaluate the feasibility and cost implications of the design.  Our goal is to blend your wants and needs into a plan that works with in your budget. We listen to you carefully in all phases of the project.

Pre-Construction Phase
Once you have signed the Construction Retainer Agreement, American West is committed to working with you during the pre-construction phase in all of the following areas that are appropriate to your project including:

1.       Set a specific and realistic commencement date for your project

2.       Show you a realistic duration time frame for your project

3.       Analyze the financial realities of your project

4.       Provide a desktop appraisal from a licensed real estate appraiser of what your home might be worth upon completion of the renovation and/or addition

5.       Offer suggestions of products that meet your budgetary and aesthetic requirements

6.       Guide you, with our extensive experience and knowledge, as we go with you and/or have our showroom representatives help you select windows, doors, hardware, bathroom fixtures, countertops, etc.

7.       Meet with you and the architect to help ensure that the project is designed to fit your budget

8.       Walk through projects with all subcontractors who will work on the project (electricians, plumbers, heating and cooling, etc.) to ensure all aspects of the project are covered

9.       Provide pricing of the entire construction package, written out in language that you can understand

10.     Offer solutions for where to make cuts if the scope or specifications exceed the budget

Final Construction Pricing and Plans
Once the plans have been finalized, we will go through the pricing once again, or as many times as needed, to arrive at your final investment for the project. This figure will be part of the Construction Contract, which will outline the specifics of your project. We take a great deal of time writing in the full scope and products selected, so that you can clearly see what you are paying for and know what is included and what is not.

The contract will also have a payment schedule. Payment will be due during the course of the project. Each payment, however, is pegged to a specific phase of the project that is visible and concrete. For example, a payment may be due when we begin hanging the sheetrock. You will be able to see for yourself that, yes indeed, the sheetrock is being installed.  

Summary:

1. Finalize Plans

2. Sign Construction Contract

 

STEP FOUR: Begin Construction

Final Product Selection:

While we are waiting for city approval of the building permit we will finalize all product and color selections. All product selections must be finalized prior to start of construction.

Construction:

We manage every aspect of the project from start to finish.

Throughout the process we will communicate with you in a manner you request. Depending on your needs we can fill you in on details of the process everyday or call you when the project is done.

Steps in the Construction Process:
Most residential renovations, additions and new construction are managed through a process involving these steps:

Step 1 – Permitting, demolition, site work, foundation work/footings

Step 2 – Framing, installation of windows and roofing

Step 3 – The rough-in: installation of HVAC ductwork/system, plumbing drains and

water lines, electrical wiring. Rough inspections: HVAC, plumbing, electrical,

and framing

Step 4 – Exterior siding, trim, and exterior painting

Step 5 – Insulation, sheetrock, and interior primer coats

Step 6 – Hardwoods, interior trim and doors, tile, cabinets, countertops

Step 7 – Interior paint

Step 8 – Floor finishing, carpet. Final inspections: HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and

building

Step 9 – Final cleanup, Complete any last details

Rollercoaster Effect:
Homeowners undergoing renovations generally find themselves riding the proverbial emotional rollercoaster, with moments of great joy, concern, frustration, shock, disbelief, jubilation. American West understands this and will strive to make the transformation of your home a pleasant and positive experience from the first step to the last.

Our goal will be the same as yours:

To fulfill your home improvement dreams and make your home a place you can look at and live in with pride. To get there, we will guide you through the uncertainties, keep you well informed, and maintain your trust and confidence with our great attitudes, capabilities and teamwork.

 

STEP FIVE: Post-Construction

Project Completion Book
While we are busy working on your home, we will also be busy in our office compiling a thorough and complete binder for you, which we call your Project Completion Book. In the binder you will find:

- All of the essential manufacturers manuals and warrantees that came with your   

  products.

- A detailed list of all the paints, roof shingles, etc., used throughout your home.

- A copy of your contract and final Certificate of Occupancy (if applicable) from the

  city or county of jurisdiction.

- Lien releases from all major subcontractors who worked on your home. (This  

  assures you that American West has paid all of its subcontractors in full for the   

  work performed, and that no one can ever place a lien on your property for unpaid

  bills related to this project.)

Follow-Up Visits
We are committed to you long after the final dumpster has been pulled away. If there is a door that needs adjusting or a faucet that is dripping, we will be there to take care of it. Three months after your job has passed the city’s (or county’s) final inspection, we will schedule a follow-up visit. We’ll schedule another follow-up visit at the 12-month anniversary. And of course, we look forward to being of service to you for any and all of your home improvement needs in the future.

How Did We Do?
We want to make sure we are doing everything we can to provide superior quality, service, and craftsmanship. Your feedback plays a crucial part in helping us constantly improve our performance.

 

Referrals

Just as we are dedicated to you throughout your project we need your continued support too. Our business grows through your referrals. Our highest praise is your recommendation to others.