What follows is an outline of the commitment we ask you to make. Please read Our Promise to learn about our comprehensive commitment to you. We ask that you:
Communicate
We want to understand your vision, needs, goals, and priorities as accurately as possible. The more information you can share with us, the better we can serve you. We do our best to create an open and receptive atmosphere, so please talk to us about anything that comes up, at any point during the project.
There’s an old adage in construction: There are three aspects to every job – speed, price and quality. You get to control two of them. For example, if you want a home built quickly and with high-quality materials, then the price of that work will necessarily be higher. If price and speed are your priorities, the quality of materials will need to be lower. If you want high-quality materials and a low price then, the project will take longer to complete. Sometimes other contractors may try to save their clients money by offering lower quality craftsmanship. Sacred Oak Homes’ craftsmanship will always remain high, even if low price is one of your priorities.
This is an appointed representative who interfaces with us regarding all the work. While we encourage spouses and partners to participate in discussions, walk-throughs, and decisions, we request that all official communications come by way of the point person in order to maintain clear and accurate communication.
It’s paramount that the point person is available for meetings and discussions so that the project can progress on schedule. Please make sure the point person has the time to meet on a regular basis. We understand that everyone enjoys communicating in unique ways, from spontaneous phone calls to scheduled in-person meetings. Let us know what your preferred mode and frequency of communication is, and we’ll do our best to accommodate you.
There may be a number of tradespeople working on your project at once, and as you get to know them, you may naturally fall into conversation about the aspect of the job they are working on. During conversations like this, it’s common to come up with ideas for slight modifications to the current plans or ideas for additional work. If you ask the tradesperson or subcontractor to alter their work, a number of consequences will likely unfold: The subcontractor will bill Sacred Oak Homes (and consequently we will need to bill you) for fulfilling the change order request. The change order may also alter the job schedule. Thus, to ensure the best possible outcome, please submit your change order requests—even the casual ones!—directly to the site supervisor. Read more about change orders in the FAQ section of our site.
Collaborate
Actively participate, or provide an owner’s representative to act in your stead. We ask you (or a representative) to take an active role in your project to ensure it goes according to plan. We want you to evaluate work proposals, review drawings, engage in discussions, read plan descriptions, assess budgets, and make sure everything matches your vision and expectations.
We hire experienced subcontractors and they sometimes come up with great ideas to enhance or improve your project. If you are open and receptive to new ideas along the way, your project could benefit and you could save time and money.
Know that this is an organic and dynamic process. Projects of large magnitude take time, and time often involves change and unexpected circumstances.
Be Responsible
When we are first getting started, let us know what your realistic budget is, so that we can make recommendations along the lines of what you can afford. Additionally, if your budget changes during the project, please let us know immediately. There is a critical point of no-return in every construction stage after which the work must be completed. Letting us know that your budget has changed will help us re-evaluate and reconsider the work to be done, so that we can most effectively accommodate your new budgetary needs.
Out of courtesy to all the individuals involved in building your project, please ensure that you have sufficient means to fund the project in its entirety. This includes having a recommended reserve for the inevitable change orders.
Paying on time is part of the critical-path method and is vital to completing your job on time.
If you become aware of problems or issues, regarding any party participating in the project, please bring them up as soon as you become aware of them so we can maintain the integrity of the job and the schedule.
