THE ACB APPROACH
ACB is committed to completing all projects to the highest level of craftsmanship and detail. The final product of our work reflects the energy, effort, and experience we put into all projects. However, this final product is only one part of what we offer.
We also pride ourselves on our ability to plan, organize, and execute a project in an efficient and timely manner. How we reach the final product carries as much emphasis and importance to us as what we are actually building.
With this dual focus in mind (final product and project process), the first step of any project is to create both a detailed scope of
work and project budget. We begin each project with a thorough discussion of all project goals. This includes a detailed review of any project plans, documents or material selections that are already in place.
With this information we can create a comprehensive scope of
work and project budget. It will cover every phase from preconstruction permitting through the final inspection. It will also include all foreseeable material, labor, and subcontractor cost, so that the client has a realistic expectation of their total project expense.
Of course, at this early stage of a project, it is not uncommon for certain items to be unselected or undetermined (e.g. flooring selections). For these items we employ project allowances, which serve as budget placeholders until the final item is selected. These allowances are based on the current understanding of the client’s needs and/or the typical cost of such items from previous similar projects. When these project allowances are used, we will also include a description of what the allowance represents, and how the pricing is structured (e.g. $xx/sf for flooring material plus installation). In this manner, the client is confident that every item is included in their estimate, and they also know the actual worth of unknown items. The goal is to avoid mid-project surprises of unanticipated expenses, or to find out that the “included” materials are sub-par, and then be subjected to an “upgrade” fee.
Once the scope of work and associated project budget are approved, we can transfer that detailed information into a project schedule. Every item from the scope of work is reviewed for the time it requires for completion. Tasks are separated by items that are on the critical path of the project schedule (i.e., other tasks can not be completed prior to the completion of this task), versus tasks that have the ability to float (i.e. the task may be delayed without delaying the total project schedule). By basing our scheduling on the detailed scope of work, and identifying tasks in this manner, we are able to construct a realistic project schedule.
Building the project schedule allows us to identify areas in which we can increase efficiency by doubling up on certain tasks. It also helps us identify any outstanding unknown variables, so that we can tackle them before the moment arrives. In this manner, we minimize surprises and delays during the onsite work.
Once we begin the onsite field work, we carefully monitor the project process versus the project schedule. Any changes resulting in alterations to the original scope of work, with any associated fees (up or down), will be
documented through a change order form. The change order will be submitted to the client for approval, prior to
executing those changes. Both the project schedule and the project budget will be revised as necessary to account for those changes, so that the client continues to have a realistic view of the project in terms of timeframe and cost.
All project billing will occur on a percentage completion basis. We avoid any large up front payments. Instead we will divide the project up by certain tasks (e.g. demolition, framing) and assign proportional costs to those tasks. During the project, the client will be billed for each task according to the percentage completion of that task.
Our process has been refined over six years of business and 50+ clients, with projects ranging in scope from fine carpentry and trim upgrades to whole single family home tear downs and rebuilds/additions. Given our company size, Aaron is able to personally be involved with all project phases. Our career craftsmen and carpenters share Aaron’s vision for our projects, and insure that we meet our quality standards. Our goal at the end of each project is to have a client that is not only satisfied with the final product we have created, but that has also appreciated the process of bringing the project from planning to completion.
We also pride ourselves on our ability to plan, organize, and execute a project in an efficient and timely manner. How we reach the final product carries as much emphasis and importance to us as what we are actually building.
With this dual focus in mind (final product and project process), the first step of any project is to create both a detailed scope of
work and project budget. We begin each project with a thorough discussion of all project goals. This includes a detailed review of any project plans, documents or material selections that are already in place.
With this information we can create a comprehensive scope of
work and project budget. It will cover every phase from preconstruction permitting through the final inspection. It will also include all foreseeable material, labor, and subcontractor cost, so that the client has a realistic expectation of their total project expense.
Of course, at this early stage of a project, it is not uncommon for certain items to be unselected or undetermined (e.g. flooring selections). For these items we employ project allowances, which serve as budget placeholders until the final item is selected. These allowances are based on the current understanding of the client’s needs and/or the typical cost of such items from previous similar projects. When these project allowances are used, we will also include a description of what the allowance represents, and how the pricing is structured (e.g. $xx/sf for flooring material plus installation). In this manner, the client is confident that every item is included in their estimate, and they also know the actual worth of unknown items. The goal is to avoid mid-project surprises of unanticipated expenses, or to find out that the “included” materials are sub-par, and then be subjected to an “upgrade” fee.
Once the scope of work and associated project budget are approved, we can transfer that detailed information into a project schedule. Every item from the scope of work is reviewed for the time it requires for completion. Tasks are separated by items that are on the critical path of the project schedule (i.e., other tasks can not be completed prior to the completion of this task), versus tasks that have the ability to float (i.e. the task may be delayed without delaying the total project schedule). By basing our scheduling on the detailed scope of work, and identifying tasks in this manner, we are able to construct a realistic project schedule.
Building the project schedule allows us to identify areas in which we can increase efficiency by doubling up on certain tasks. It also helps us identify any outstanding unknown variables, so that we can tackle them before the moment arrives. In this manner, we minimize surprises and delays during the onsite work.
Once we begin the onsite field work, we carefully monitor the project process versus the project schedule. Any changes resulting in alterations to the original scope of work, with any associated fees (up or down), will be
documented through a change order form. The change order will be submitted to the client for approval, prior to
executing those changes. Both the project schedule and the project budget will be revised as necessary to account for those changes, so that the client continues to have a realistic view of the project in terms of timeframe and cost.
All project billing will occur on a percentage completion basis. We avoid any large up front payments. Instead we will divide the project up by certain tasks (e.g. demolition, framing) and assign proportional costs to those tasks. During the project, the client will be billed for each task according to the percentage completion of that task.
Our process has been refined over six years of business and 50+ clients, with projects ranging in scope from fine carpentry and trim upgrades to whole single family home tear downs and rebuilds/additions. Given our company size, Aaron is able to personally be involved with all project phases. Our career craftsmen and carpenters share Aaron’s vision for our projects, and insure that we meet our quality standards. Our goal at the end of each project is to have a client that is not only satisfied with the final product we have created, but that has also appreciated the process of bringing the project from planning to completion.