FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Process
How does the MN process work? Can I supply my own appliances, plumbing fixtures, or other materials?
Money
Will you require a large deposit? How's the pricing broken down? What's my payment schedule?
Time
How long will my project take? What's MN lead time like?
Green Building
Does building green cost more money? Is all your work built green? Can you recycle any parts of my existing home?
People
Will there be someone on my job every day? Does MN subcontract out any of the work?
PROCESS
HOW DOES THE MN PROCESS WORK?
First off, we'd like to talk to you in person about your project—and we can do this over the phone—what you're thinking about doing and your time-frame. Perhaps more importantly, we'll also want to discuss your 'hoped-for' budget.
If it feels like there could be a fit between what you want and what Mueller Nicholls does, we'll want to take a close look at your home and the area you want to work on. Design time is charged by the hour—and we'll tell you ahead of time approximately what this schematic phase of the work will cost.
Next, assuming you like what we're planning—and it looks like the budget and the design will work—we'll put together more specific scope and details, and plans if needed. Again, we'll let you know what this phase will cost. Bear in mind that the overall costs be discussed and considered at all times through the planning process, instead of coming at the end. Like you, we don't like financial surprises.
CAN I SUPPLY MY OWN APPLIANCES, PLUMBING FIXTURES, OR OTHER MATERIALS?
Yes,
you can, but we'd prefer you
didn't. It probably will not
cost you any more money in the
long run to have us take care
of this part of your project—and
we're familiar with ordering
these items. We're also used
to handling the delivery and
installation process.
If we order appliances and fixtures, we'll make sure they're on time—and it's on us if there are problems. If you have warranty issues or subsequent failures, we can help resolve them.
MONEY
WILL YOU REQUIRE A LARGE DEPOSIT?
No, as a rule we will not ask for large sums in advance. Usually a good faith amount of $1000 will secure a spot in our schedule. However, once the work starts we do expect to get paid promptly.
Occasionally during a project you may have to pay for a specific item in advance—for example, our window suppliers usually require a deposit upon ordering. For the most part though, the work on your job will be performed on a pay as you go basis. If needed, we can help line up your financing before you start, as the money is often spent quickly and in large chunks.
HOW'S THE PRICING BROKEN DOWN?
We
try to always price your work
fairly and accurately—although
that's not always possible when
the scope or the plans are not
completely defined. In some cases
we may give you a budget, perhaps
with some allowances for key
items that are yet to be selected:
such as tile, plumbing fixtures
or flooring. Once you've chosen
what you'd like, we adjust the
allowance up or down as needed.
Often we'll give you a base price with optional add-ons—rather like a menu at a restaurant. The main course could be your kitchen, with the guest bath as desert, or repainting the kids' bedrooms priced as an appetizer.
WHAT'S MY PAYMENT SCHEDULE?
Mueller Nicholls always tries to structure payments on a project so that they're fair and equitable. We don't like to get ahead of you, and we're not comfortable if you get behind in what you owe us.
We'll give you a schedule of payments when you sign up with us, and these are specific amounts, due at specific times. The payments are usually broken down and tied to milestones on the project, such as completion of foundation work, framing, sheetroc, installation of cabinets, etc..
TIME
HOW LONG WILL MY PROJECT TAKE?
This depends completely on the size and scope of the work. For example, a typical, medium-sized kitchen can be completed in ten weeks, but may take much longer if there are structural elements, new windows or skylights involved. Bear in mind that city and county requirements are constantly changing, and can affect the overall time it takes to get a project started.
Full house remodels and additions can last anywhere from 6 to 12 months—again depending on the amount of square footage, the number of rooms and the complexity of detail. You'll need some sort of schematic design to develop a time-line, and the more specific the design is, the more accurate the projected schedule can be.
It's best to sit down with MN and carefully look at what we'll be doing before hazarding a guess as to how long your project will take. We'll develop an accurate schedule, with milestones and tasks, so you can see how the work breaks down.
WHAT'S MN LEAD TIME LIKE?
We
try to be as responsive and available
as possible—to get your project
going quickly. We tend to get
busier in the summer and fall,
so if you want to build your
work at those times, it pays
to plan some.
Be aware that city and county requirements—especially for planning and building permits—have become more complex, expensive and time-consuming. Depending on the scope and size of your work, this pre-planning can take up big amounts of time. Be prepared for a certain degree of frustration too, there are more regulations than ever—but we can help guide you through all this.
GREEN BUILDING
DOES BUILDING GREEN COST MORE MONEY?
No,
it can actually be less costly—especially
if you're prepared to build smaller
and simpler. And over the last
few years many green products
have dropped in price to be more
in line with traditionally used
materials. There are tax incentives
for using energy saving systems
too.
Over the long term, although you may spend a few more remodeling dollars using greener materials or methods, you'll often get big rewards down the road: with better insulation, for example, you'll save on your heating and cooling bills.
IS ALL YOUR WORK BUILT GREEN?
We
won't candy coat this—no, not
all our work is totally green.
We do everything we can to be
a sustainably oriented company—but
the honest reality is that some
stuff does go to the landfill,
some projects are simply not
as green as we'd like. Our cabinet
shop runs on solar power, but
not every client want to spend
the extra money on photovoltaic
panels.
One big criteria for Mueller Nicholls is building things that last—and sometimes the newer, greener materials are not as durable as we'd like. It's a tough call sometimes as to what products we recommend and use, but be assured we're always trying to lighten our footprint.
If sustainable building practices, indoor air quality and recyclability are high on your priority list, you've found the right builder. That's where we're heading as a company and as individuals—building long-lasting, healthy homes that work for people.
CAN YOU RECYCLE ANY PARTS OF MY EXISTING HOME?
Yes,
we can. Many projects we build
these days are 'de-constructed'
first. This can mean removing
and recycling cabinets, lumber,
drywall and fixtures. It's a
great way of keeping materials
out of landfills—and it's good
to know that what used to be
demolished and thrown out can
now be re-used someplace else.
PEOPLE
WILL THERE BE SOMEONE ON MY JOB EVERY DAY?
Yes,
but not on weekends or holidays.
It's very much in our interest
to keep your job moving from
day one—and we will usually have
our own lead carpenter at your
project every day. If our own
Mueller Nicholls crew are not
on site, there'll often be subcontractors
working: it may be the sheetrock
company or the tile setters,
but usually there's work going
on daily. Works hours are normally
8:00 am to 4:30 pm
DOES MN SUBCONTRACT OUT ANY OF THE WORK?
Yes
we do. Some work can be performed
well by others for less money—and
more efficiently too—such as
roofing, electrical or plumbing
work.
We'll take a look at the scope of your project and recommend which parts should be done by subs. If we can bring the costs down and the work can still be done to our standards, we'll have others do it.
All our subcontractors are fully insured and licensed—and most of them have worked for MN for years. They're loyal, responsive, polite and do great work—very much part of the Mueller Nicholls team.
