The Estimating Phase
After the initial meeting, we should have a pretty good idea on what the project goals and requirements are, and have a project budget established. The next step in the process is for AKBM to create a detailed estimate which includes budgetary amounts for all of the construction materials, and a comprehensive list of the installation services that will be required.
AKBM invests a great deal of time to create these estimates - at no charge to our prospective customers! We do this because it is very important that we deliver our projects within the financial expectations of our customers. In contrast to a simple 1 or 2 line estimate from our competitiors, we provide a comprehensive estimate which includes all materials and services required to complete the project. See a Sample Estimate
Armed with this information, homeowners can understand the financial impact of various design and material choices, and make informed decisions about how and where to spend their remodeling dollars. We know from our customers that they appreciate the quality and quantity of the information we provide to them, and we hope it says something about our professionalism and what you can expect from working with us.
As part of creating the estimate, AKBM will research various products that meet the project requirements. Depending on the scope of the project, AKBM may create an initial computer-aided design of the proposed solution. This is especially true when cabinetry is required. A followup meeting will be scheduled with you to review the project estimate.
During the followup meeting, we will review the project estimate in detail. It is not uncommon for a homeowners project to exceed the budget established. During the estimate phase, we will review alternative material choices and design approaches which accomodate the budget established for the project.
For a small project, we can bypass the design phase and AKBM will prepare the installation agreement. For a larger project, such as a kitchen remodel, the next step of the process is to enter into a formal design phase.