At Glen Allen Grounds, we specialize in creating beautiful, functional, and sustainable outdoor living spaces. Our design-build approach integrates design and construction, ensuring a seamless experience from start to finish. Here’s how we streamline the construction journey.
Pre-Construction Screening Calls
Effective communication and thorough planning are the foundations of any successful project. Our pre-construction screening calls gather vital information to understand your vision, needs, and constraints. These calls typically last between 30–45 minutes depending on the scale of the project. This allows us to provide ideas and financial expectations through google maps and past experiences with our long running history of unique projects.
1. Understanding the Property
- Location and Size: Where is the new space being built and do we have room for it?
- Topography: Are there any slopes, water bodies, or specific soil conditions?
- Existing Structures and Vegetation: What currently exists on the property that might affect the design and build process? Are there existing irrigation, drain, or electrical lines that are in the way?
- Access: Where will our construction teams enter and exit the space as our “construction road”? What size machines are we able to use?
- Current Conditions: Are existing drain lines, irrigation systems, fencing, or private utilities that need to be taken into consideration during construction that may require re-working or completely re-doing? This factors into the budget too!
2. Identifying Client Needs and Wants
- Primary Objectives: Are you looking to create a patio, install a pool, build retaining walls, or enhance your landscape?
- Aesthetic Preferences: Do you have a specific style or design inspiration?
- Functional Requirements: How will the space be used? Are there specific features such as seating areas, walkways, pools, or lighting?
- Full Scale Design: Is a full-scale design needed for this particular scope? Typically, if a client’s budget is around $20,000, we recommend doing some type of design, even if its at the bottom of the design scale.
Design Fee Considerations
The design phase is the most important and time-consuming part of a design/build project. Ensuring a 3D rendering or set of CAD plans accurately displays what is being constructed is critical in the execution of the project, for the client as well as the contractor. We want to be on the same page from the beginning! That being said, a complex plan or 3D rendering typically starts at around $3,000 and can fluctuate from there. There are many factors that can play into pricing for a design, and 3D renderings can get over $6,000. Typically, a portion or all the design fee gets credited towards the price of the project if it is executed within 12 months.
Additional fees might apply for:
- Covered Structures and Pergolas: Including draftsman services and county permits.
- Subcontractors: Electricians, plumbers, and carpenters for features like ceiling fans and electrical outlets, gas grills and fire pits, and custom woodwork.
3. Discussing the Overall Budget
- Budget Range: What is your overall budget for the project? We want to make sure we are delivering realistic expectations as to what we can and cannot do within your budget.
- Priorities and Flexibility: Are there areas where you are willing to splurge or save? How flexible is your budget? In construction, things happen. Ideas change, problems arise, and scopes get adjusted. Sometimes, this requires pricing adjustments that could positively or negatively impact the cost. Being prepared for these changes is encouraged!
Design Process
After understanding your project requirements, we move into the design phase, which can include initial sketches, detailed AutoCAD designs, or 3D renderings depending on the scale of the design requested.
1. Initial Concept Sketches
- Brainstorming Sessions: Collaborative discussions to explore various design possibilities.
- Visual Representation: Basic drawings that illustrate the overall concept and layout.
2. Round 1 Review
- Conceptual Plan: Review initial draft of design and discuss overall layout, flow, and features.
- Material Options: Present color pallet and 2–3 material selections recommended.
- Landscape & Lighting: Discuss overall landscape plan and layout, privacy locations, and areas to illuminate for safety or night use.
3. Finalized Detailed Designs
- Accurate Measurements: Detailed plans with exact dimensions and specifications.
- Technical Details: Hardscape, Landscape, Lighting, and Drainage plans all outlined on one simple drawing.
- Material Selection: Specifying materials and finishes to be used in the construction.
- Client Sign Off: Ensure design & plan can be used for pricing purposes.
4. Contract Implementation
- Written Contract: Review of all scopes on the design, broken out.
- Review Exclusions: What the contract does NOT include or needs to be sub-contracted.
- Signature & Deposit: Reserves spot on calendar and starts the process of scheduling and organizing materials.
Transforming Outdoor Spaces
Our expertise covers a wide range of outdoor projects: Patios and Fire Features; Seating and Retaining Walls; Pools, Walkways, and Driveways; Full Landscapes and Outdoor Lighting; Grading and Sod.
Benefits of the Design-Build Approach
- Enhanced Collaboration and Communication: Seamless communication and collaboration with a single point of contact.
- Streamlined Project Management: Efficient management of timelines and coordination of subcontractors.
- Cost-Effective Solutions: Accurate budgeting, reduced change orders, and efficient resource allocation.
Why Choose Glen Allen Grounds?
At Glen Allen Grounds, we are committed to excellence and customer satisfaction. Our comprehensive pre-construction screening calls, collaborative design process, and integrated design-build approach ensure your project is completed on time, within budget, and to the highest standards of quality. Ready to transform your outdoor space? Contact Glen Allen Grounds today to schedule your pre-construction screening call and take the first step toward bringing your vision to life. By focusing on these key areas, Glen Allen Grounds ensures a smooth and successful construction experience. Whether you’re creating a patio, installing a fire feature, or enhancing your landscape with lighting, our design-build approach offers the expertise and personalized service you need.
For more information or to schedule a consultation:
Phone: 804-719-9156
Email: info@glenallengrounds.com
Website: www.glenallengrounds.com