Cities, townships and boroughs have building and zoning codes that specify a number of requirements to be followed when building a new structure, adding on or remodeling an existing structure. Additionally, most municipalities also differentiate between commercial and residential with commercial properties needing further oversight before building permits can be issued.
Building your vision
Design and construction projects involve several phases:
Phase 1: Deciding what to build
We will meet on-site and decide what your needs are for your project. At this point we will do as-built drawings to show what is in the existing space.
Once we have defined what is to be built, we will then do some preliminary designs. Depending on the project, we may do several designs showing different layouts. This is a very important part of the project, because this is where we will make sure that everything you want can work in the space. At the end of this phase preliminary budgets can be discussed with a contractor.
Phase 2: Preparing construction documents
Once we have a preliminary design and preliminary budget in place we can begin the construction documents. The construction documents are the final set of drawings which get sent out to contractors to bid your project and also to the municipalities for permits.
Phase 3: Bid process
At this point the drawings go out to several contractors to get final construction numbers. We will work with you to determine who is the best construction team for your project. There are a number of ways to select a contractor, usually the best way is by word of mouth. Maybe you have a friend or relative that has used a contractor in the past and they can give you a good recommendation. If you do not know of anyone, we have worked with many contractors in the Pittsburgh area over the years and can provide you with contact names to bid your project. You may want to interview several contractors and get bids from the ones you feel most comfortable. If you already have someone you want to work with, we can include them from the beginning of the project. The final choice is up to you.
After you have selected a contractor a pre-construction meeting is set up. We will go over the drawings and make sure that what you want built is relayed to the contractor and any questions you have get answered before the construction begins.
Phase 4: Construction management
Some people prefer to have us do construction administration during their project. These services can include making site visits, reviewing the contractors applications for payment, etc.
Building your vision
Design and construction projects involve several phases:
Phase 1: Deciding what to build
We will meet on-site and decide what your needs are for your project. At this point we will do as-built drawings to show what is in the existing space.
Once we have defined what is to be built, we will then do some preliminary designs. Depending on the project, we may do several designs showing different layouts. This is a very important part of the project, because this is where we will make sure that everything you want can work in the space. At the end of this phase preliminary budgets can be discussed with a contractor.
Phase 2: Preparing construction documents
Once we have a preliminary design and preliminary budget in place we can begin the construction documents. The construction documents are the final set of drawings which get sent out to contractors to bid your project and also to the municipalities for permits.
Phase 3: Bid process
At this point the drawings go out to several contractors to get final construction numbers. We will work with you to determine who is the best construction team for your project. There are a number of ways to select a contractor, usually the best way is by word of mouth. Maybe you have a friend or relative that has used a contractor in the past and they can give you a good recommendation. If you do not know of anyone, we have worked with many contractors in the Pittsburgh area over the years and can provide you with contact names to bid your project. You may want to interview several contractors and get bids from the ones you feel most comfortable. If you already have someone you want to work with, we can include them from the beginning of the project. The final choice is up to you.
After you have selected a contractor a pre-construction meeting is set up. We will go over the drawings and make sure that what you want built is relayed to the contractor and any questions you have get answered before the construction begins.
Phase 4: Construction management
Some people prefer to have us do construction administration during their project. These services can include making site visits, reviewing the contractors applications for payment, etc.