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How We Work With You

Our Remodeling Process

About Our Process

10 Steps to Home Remodeling

The Design Build Remodel Process is the most efficient way to remodel your home. From the initial design concept to the final construction completion, you collaborate with a single, reliable company, ensuring an authentic and transparent experience. We have developed a comprehensive approach to estimating and delivering our projects which has proven to be highly effective.

Communication Before Construction

Design Development

We believe in transparent communication before construction. It is important to listen to your concerns, expectations, ideas, and opinions. We have found it is the best way to turn wood, plaster, and tile into a place where you and your family will feel comfortably at home. And because your satisfaction is important to us, we make it a point to stay in touch throughout the life of the project. It’s just the way we do business.

1. Initial Consultation
• 45-90 minute meeting
• Discussing the scope of the project

Our initial consultation takes place at your home. This meeting generally takes 45-90 minutes and allows us to have an initial conversation that is both efficient and effective for us and our clients. During this initial consultation, we can get a good sense of your project and are able to share projects of similar size and scope while we are on the call.

We will ask a lot of questions as to ‘why’ you are doing your project, and what problems you are trying to solve. Our team is skilled at developing creative ways to resolve your challenges. We will also discuss your expectations for the project timeline and how much you want to invest in your house.

Finally, we will review our Design Development Process and answer any questions that you might have. The only decision you need to make at the end of our first meeting is whether the design-build process is right for you. If it is, we will schedule a second consultation at your home.

2. Budget & Guidance
• Provide an Opinion of Probable Cost (OPC)
• If construction budget falls within the OPC range (+/-15%), proceed to Design Development
• Examine existing site conditions if necessary
• Renovation financing available with RenoFi

During our second meeting, we will provide an Opinion of Probable Cost (OPC) based on our experience with projects of similar size and scope. We encourage homeowners to schedule a free consultation with RenoFi to learn more about their options to finance the project regardless of their initial understanding of their budget.

Your selections and the project design will have bearing on the cost of the project. We find by giving practical guidance into the design and helping our clients with the selections, we can steer the project costs towards a construction budget and help keep the overall costs of the project down.

If your construction budget falls within the OPC range (+/- 15%), you may opt to proceed to Design Development. In the event you have architectural plans already, we can also provide a proposal through a modified Pre-Construction Development Agreement.

At this phase we will begin examining existing site conditions, your electric panel, HVAC and plumbing, taking a walk around your house, taking measurements, and discussing the finer details of the project.

3. Design Agreement
• Outlines a high level scope of work and design budget, and details the Design Retainer Fee
• Explain work that takes place in the design phase

This is the point where we execute a Design Agreement. The Design Agreement outlines a high level scope of work and design budget, and details the Design Retainer Fee. The Design Agreement explains the work that takes place in the design phase, which includes three
meetings with the Architectural Designer or Draftsperson, four meetings with the Design Coordinator, and multiple trips to showrooms to assist you in product selection.

During the 6-14 weeks of the Design Development period, we will meet approximately every 10 days (about every week and a half) depending on your availability and how much homework we have to accomplish. The Initial Design & Style meeting will be a site visit to your home with our Draftsperson and Design Coordinator to become better acquainted with the space, confirm measurements, and discuss design aesthetics. Following that meeting, we will develop four to five conceptual layouts for your consideration. We will then narrow things down to one to two variations of a plan and continue to make selections. Spatial planning is included in this process, including furniture placement.

Payment Note: The retainer fee runs between 6% and 10% of the OPC, depending on the complexity of the project. This fee covers our time to explore options, develop plans, elevations and perspective drawings, 2D renderings, develop a detailed scope of work, including a trade walk through, a GANTT construction schedule, as well as the cost of the project.

4. Architecture & Selections
• Complete questionnaire prior to selecting products
• 6–14 weeks Design Development period
• Meet every 10 days (about every week and a half)
• Budget and aesthetics guidance provided at every step

Concurrently, our Design Coordinator will assist you with design selections. A series of selections will need to be completed during this phase. The sequence of these selections is critical to efficiency of this stage. Your Designer will walk you through a detailed questionnaire of your project prior to recommending any solutions or products.

Example: If installing flooring over concrete, consideration has to be given to moisture, levelness of the floor, temperature of the finished surface, transitions to other flooring heights in adjacent rooms, and more. All of these factors need to be weighed when making product selections. By asking a lot of questions, and using this methodical approach, we are able to provide better solutions for our clients.

5. Trade Walkthrough & Meet the Team
• Trade Walkthrough with our production staff and trades
• Discuss mechanicals and make sure project is constructible
• Critical step for avoiding surprises

Approximately two-thirds of the way through the Design Development period, we will perform a Trade Walkthrough with our production staff and team of trade people specific to your project. During that visit, we will peak behind walls and discuss mechanicals and make sure it’s constructible. We don’t like surprises and neither do our clients. By doing this, we are confident that we can give you a firm price for the scope of work.

Custom Construction

Design Execution

Our process emphasizes authentic communication and collaboration at the beginning of a project so that construction runs smoothly later in the process. We value planning and strategic design to avoid any unnecessary surprises and costs.

6. Authorization to Proceed
• Review architectural plans
• Storyboard selections
• Review detailed scope of work (Construction Contract)
• Review GANTT chart schedule with start and completion dates
• Thorough review of corresponding pricing
• Upon your authorization to proceed, a 10% deposit payment is due

At the conclusion of the Design Development process, we will review any changes to the drawings resulting from the Trade Walkthrough, revised architectural plans, storyboard selections, detailed scope of work (Construction Contract), GANTT chart schedule including tentative start and completion dates, and corresponding pricing. We will also review ways to reduce the overall project cost while maintaining the required performance, quality, and safety (value engineering).

We will review every detail with you to ensure accuracy before submitting for permits. If you decide not to move forward, then the architectural drawings and other design deliverables are yours to keep with no further obligation to Harth Builders.

Payment Note: Upon your authorization to proceed, a 10% deposit payment is due.

7. Pre-Construction & Permitting
• Apply for permits once plans are finalized
• Design confirmation meeting
• Consolidation meeting
• Pre-Construction Meeting

Pre-construction is a 5–6 week period where we plan the execution of your project. There are four essential parts to the pre-construction phase.

A. Permits and Engineering
We finalize any structural engineering required prior to submitting for permits in this part of the process. Once all plans are finalized we apply for the necessary permits with your township or borough.

B. Design Confirmation Meeting
At the Design Confirmation Meeting in our office, we will review and finalize design selections so that long lead items can be ordered.

C. Consolidation Meeting
This ‘behind the scenes’ meeting happens at our office. It’s during this meeting that the baton is passed from our design department to our production staff. This is a critical meeting as it is when the necessary resources are identified and scheduled to ensure that your project is completed on the timeline you have requested.

D. Pre-Construction Meeting
Scheduled to take place at your home, this is the meeting where our production team will walk you through the construction schedule, identify where the temporary kitchen will be set up (if necessary), and discuss locations for the lockbox, dumpster, and material deliveries. We also review any other special accommodations which need to be made for household members, even the furry kind.

8. Construction
• Set up dust control walls at key intersections
• Email progress reports
• Job site will be broom swept daily
• At end of each work week, project will be vacuum swept
• Weekly stage payments follow milestones throughout the Construction phase

The cleanliness of your home is important to us. We set up dust control walls at key intersections.

During construction, our Lead Carpenter or Project Manager will be on-site daily as needed. You will be provided with a mobile number and are encouraged to call with any questions or concerns you may have from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. He/she will communicate with you daily to answer questions, resolve problems in a timely manner, and provide scheduling updates. We also send out a weekly Project Update via email to all involved on your project to keep you informed of the progress of your job.

At the end of each work day, your job will be broom swept. At the end of each work week, your project will be vacuum swept. We find that a clean job site is a safe and efficient job site. While working in your home, we will strive to minimize inconvenience to you while the project is ongoing.

Payment Note: Weekly stage payments follow milestones throughout the Construction phase to allow you to monitor and approve construction as it progresses.

9. Substantial Completion
• At Substantial Completion a Pre-Completion Meeting is scheduled
• Punch List items identified (if any)

At the Substantial Completion of your project (the point at which the space may be used for its intended purpose) we will schedule a Pre-Completion Meeting to walk through your home and ensure you are completely satisfied with the craftsmanship. There may be a small number of odds and ends to take care of, called a Punch List. While we work hard to attain a Zero Punch List, we will complete these items as quickly as possible.

Payment Note: Your two final payments will be for Substantial Completion and Punch List to ensure that we have completed the project and Punch List work to your satisfaction.

10. Warranty
• Two year Warranty provided on work
• Warranty cards, Product Care Guide, and a Warranty Letter delivered following completion
• Follow-up calls at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after Substantial Completion
• Any rework required scheduled within 30 days

You will be provided all of your warrantee cards, Product Care Guide, and a Warranty Letter from us shortly after completion.

We will stay in touch long after the last nail is in place to ensure that you are completely satisfied. We offer a two year warrantee and will follow up with you at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months after Substantial Completion to touch base and schedule any rework required within 30 days.

Due to our intense focus on our core principles of Communication, Quality and Cleanliness, over 75% of our work comes from repeat business from past clients or referrals. We are now doing our fourth and even fifth project for some clients!

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Building Partnerships with Every Project
Our process was developed for collaboration, flexibility, and quality. We function as your trusted partner and advisor.
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Home Remodeling Costs

We understand that every project is unique, as is the cost of having it completed. There are many factors that affect the price of a project. These costs are approximate and should be used only as a budgeting tool. We encourage you to consider scheduling a free consultation with RenoFi to learn more about your options to finance your renovation.  

As for the return on investment, you should expect 45-65% back on resale after one year, according to an annual survey conducted by Remodeling Magazine.

$8K+
Basic Powder Room Remodel
Replacing all plumbing fixtures to existing copper pipes
Installing new tile on the floor
Replacing the toilet with a comfort-height fixture
Replacing the vanity with a pedestal sink
Installing a new mirror or medicine cabinet
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$35K+
Complete Hall Bathroom Remodel
Upgrade old galvanized and lead pipes be to copper and ABS
Ceiling exhaust fan installation with exits to the exterior (not into the attic)
Retiling the walls, bath and adding a 42″ wainscot
New vanity, granite counter, sink and faucet
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$65K+
Complete Master Bathroom Remodel
Free standing tubs
Frameless glass showers
Full-tiled showers
Linen cabinets
Comfort-height toilets
Granite counters
Window replacement
Relocating plumbing and fixtures around to make better use of space
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$65K+
Basic Kitchen Remodel
If you are happy with your current kitchen layout, and your plumbing and electric are up to current building codes, then a basic kitchen remodel may be the way to go
Remove and replace the cabinets, countertops, flooring, and any other finishes
This ballpark price includes a laminate countertop. Granite is always available as an upgrade
Often expense saving discoveries occur, such as finding good solid wood flooring under existing linoleum
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$110K+
Complete Kitchen Remodel
A complete kitchen remodel may be right for you if your kitchen has not been updated in some time, was not remodeled properly, or is a dysfunctional use of space
Upgrade electrical service, install new plumbing, or install an exhaust vent system
Relocate new appliances and move structural walls to create the best possible configuration
Finish the floors and ceilings
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$85K+
Lower Level Renovations
Older homes often require bringing your electrical system, plumbing, and HVAC up to code (or at least improved) to remain maintenance free
Remove unnecessary walls
Rerouted/repaired mechanical systems
Luxurious master suites, home theaters, workout rooms, recreational rooms, additional bedrooms, or living spaces
Install basement access/egress windows or a Bilco door/stairs per new code
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$95K+
Attic & Shed Dormers
Raise a portion of the roof with a shed or gable dormer, giving you additional square footage
Cleaning the existing space
Framing new walls
Electrical work
Insulation, drywall, and painting
Carpet installation on stairs and floor to muffle noise
Ceilings are usually sloped to allow for greater square footage upstairs
Through-the-wall heat pump/AC unit typically makes the entire room comfortable year-round
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$275k+
First Floor Flow
Many of our clients struggle with the configuration of their first floor, and as lifestyles change, it becomes necessary to improve the functionality of their home to reflect the way they live today. Kitchens are too congested, Dining and Living Rooms are rarely used and powder rooms are located in ubiquitous spaces without privacy.
With hundreds of clients that have expressed their frustration with poorly designed homes, we have a constant feedback loop from real world disfunction. We can help you gain an understanding of how you currently use your first floor spaces, pin point any sources of frustration, and collaborate with you to deliver a beautiful, functional first floor environment.
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$425+/SF
One or Two Story Additions
To meet changing family needs, sometimes you need more space. Harth Builders will work with you to determine your best opportunities for increasing the footprint of your home, and we will efficiently develop and execute that expansion.
Additions range from small kitchen bump outs to a full two-story addition.
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$250+/SF
Whole House Renovations
Every so often we meet someone who has purchased a great house in an ideal neighborhood that needs significant work to turn it into a home they want to live in.
There are many factors to consider when pursuing this type of project.
We recommend developing a master plan for your entire home which can be constructed in phases over time.
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$50–175/SF
Outdoor Living Spaces
Decks have evolved from simple wooden structures, to unique outdoor living spaces
Based on your personal preference, we will create the outdoor living space that best suits your lifestyle
Materials for these spaces can include Boardwalk, Timbertech, IPE, Cedar, and a range of pavers
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$295+/SF
Custom Homes and Developments
Across the Greater Philadelphia Area Harth Builders is well-known for our award-winning remodeling services, but what many homeowners may not realize is that we build custom homes, as well.
Whether you are already working with an architect, or would like us to provide the complete spectrum of construction services, Harth Builders has the design-build expertise to create the ideal custom home for you.
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