What is Design/Build?

"From A to Z" Bruen Custom Building provides Design, Construction, and everything in between.

A.) Initial Consultation

During our initial meetings with you, we will review your high-level plans and dreams for your remodeling project. We will discuss your preliminary priorities, timeline, and budget. Bruen Design/Build will then document our understanding of your overall goals and objectives, and meet with you to confirm the overall design approach and initial construction budget. We are happy to provide you with a list of client references - clients who have been extremely satisfied with our work.

B.) Commitment to the Design/Build Process

In order to start the Design Process, we will execute a Design Contract. This Design Contract lists our deliverables to you as part of the Design process. A payment schedule for the design process is included. We are pleased to rebate your entire design fee toward the cost of the construction phase.

C.) Design Process

This is the most important and often the most time-consuming part of the Design/Build process. It is essential to devote adequate amounts of time to decide how you want your new or remodeled living space to function.

Homeowner's responsibilities: Spend time to envision what you would like to accomplish. Cut pictures out of magazines of additions, rooms, and features of rooms that appeal to you. Talk to friends and family members about renovations that they have done and what they would do differently with their designs. Think carefully about your budget.

Bruen Design/Build's responsibilities: We will guide you through the entire design process. We will listen carefully to your initial ideas and needs. We will then collaborate with you using our design ideas and elements to produce several versions of the design.

D.) Final Design

The Final Design is documented via construction diagrams using our in-house design software. At this point we have also produced multiple versions of the potential construction budget for your review. All Design documents are approved by the client before construction begins.

E.) Construction Contract

Bruen/Design Build then executes a Construction Contract that details the exact specifications of your project, the final cost, payment plan, and start date. This contract initiates the construction phases.

F.) Planning Documents

Bruen Design/Build will produce and update the Project Timeline as well as other planning documents to be used by both the client and the Project Manager. At this point, we also work closely with you to select all products that are involved with your renovations. These product selections are often challenging given the broad array of options now available, but we will help you every step of the way.

G.) Municipal Permits

Most all Design/Build projects require municipal permits in order to begin the work. This permit process ensures that town inspectors will be involved in your project for your protection. Some construction projects also require a variance, i.e., permission from the municipality to make a significant change on your property, such as building close to your property line. Bruen Design/Build will manage all permit paperwork and if needed, will attend Board of Adjustment meetings with you in order to gain approval for your project.

H.) Construction Phase

Bruen Design/Build has 12 years of experience in managing any size project. Using our Clean Build Program (service mark pending), we minimize the impact on your family and your living spaces using careful site preparation and by protecting all furniture. Our state-of-the-art air cleaning systems help to minimize the inevitable dust that comes with remodeling work. We have years of experience in completing projects on-time and under-budget while maintaining extremely high standards and customer satisfaction. Just ask any of our references.

H.) Construction Phase

Any size project will have a "punch list", or a list of remaining details to be finished. There are often small changes or additional updates that the client will request that add to the scope of the project. Bruen Design/Build works hard to finish our projects and our responsibilities as quickly as possible. We also conduct a review of the total project with you to make sure you are fully satisfied with the results. We also like to get honest feedback from every customer so that we may continuously improve our processes and results.