- Do
I need plans to get an estimate?
- Do
I need to hire an architect or professional designer?
- Is
it OK if I have my own architect or designer?
- Can
I be my own general contractor and save money?
- Can
I use my own subs and save money?
- Can
I buy my own materials and save money?
- Are
you licensed and insured?
- How
exactly do you bid a job?
- Will
you fix rot and bug damage?
- Do
you do structural repairs?
- While
you are here, can I have your guys do some little
things on my "honey-do" list?
- Where,
geographically speaking, will you work?
- I
don’t need your "best" work, so can
I get a price for the "good" quality of
work and save some money?
- Will
there be anyone licensed on my job?
- What
is my role as the customer in the construction process?
- Do
you do small jobs?
- Do
I need to be home while work is going on?
- Do
you use the same subcontractors all the time?
- Is
Millwork certified to conduct business under the rules
set forth in the EPA’s new Lead Safe Remodeling
law?
- I
heard that there is a way to "opt out" of
doing Lead Safe Remodeling and that enforcement of
the rules was postponed by the EPA. Is that true?
1. Do I need plans to get an
estimate?
That depends on the nature of the work. For smaller
repairs, bathrooms, and carpentry work you may not need
plans. However, it is very helpful if you know what
you want. Links to websites, clippings from a magazine,
or an address in town with the front entry you just
love will all help us understand what you want done.
For additions, kitchens, and larger remodeling projects
you will need plans.
2.
Do I need to hire an architect or professional designer?
Again, the answer depends on the magnitude of the job.
We generate our own plans for bathroom jobs, for some
kitchen jobs, and for smaller projects. For bigger jobs,
we usually do a rough estimate, and then suggest that
you get plans drawn up if your budget is realistic.
3.
Is it OK if I have my own architect or designer?
Absolutely. We can work with a professional of your
choice or can suggest one from our list of reliable
partners. We do like to be involved early in the design
process to help lend some reality to the budgeting process.
We have seen some magnificent plans never get built
because all the bids exceeded the budget. This unfortunate
event can usually be avoided if the builder is part
of the design process.
4.
Can I be my own general contractor and save money?
Yes, and maybe. Many people attempt to do this but few
have the knowledge and/or time to do all the work a
general contractor does. If you decide to GC your own
project, you are responsible for all aspects of the
project, including procurement of materials, managing
change orders, scheduling and coordinating the efforts
of the sub-trades, and interfacing with inspectors and
engineers.
5.
Can I use my own subs and save money?
Yes, and maybe. Sometimes this works well, but it can
be a difficult experience and adversely affect the quality
of work done on the job. There is a lot of teamwork
on a construction site between the workers from different
trades. When we enter into these relationships it is
important to have expectations outlined and understood
by everyone on the team.
6.
Can I buy my own materials and save money?
Yes, and maybe. If you decide to purchase your own materials,
you will be responsible for all procurement issues and
warranty issues related to those materials. In addition
you may end up paying for lost labor if necessary parts
are not on site when needed. In addition, most manufacturers
warranties do not cover labor so if that toilet proves
to be defective and needs to be replaced under warranty,
you will end up paying the plumber to do the work twice.
7.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes, we have Workers Compensation Insurance, Liability
Insurance, and Auto Insurance. Millwork, Inc. also has
a Mass. Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) license #112555
and Glenn’s unrestricted State Construction Supervisor’s
License number is #50261. In addition, each of our project
managers has their own individual State Supervisor’s
License.
8.
How exactly do you bid a job?
We bid work either on a Fixed Price basis or on a Time
and Materials basis. In a Fixed Price situation, we
bid off of a well defined set of plans and/or job specifications.
These jobs have a start price and an agreed upon payment
schedule and any changes are executed via change order
while the work is underway. In a Time and Materials
(T&M) situation, we quote you our Labor Rates per
hour, and all other out of pocket costs associated with
the job are charged to you at our cost plus a markup.
We usually work under a T&M arrangement if the plans
must evolve as the work continues or if the scope of
work is impossible to determine at the time of the bid.
Some kinds of work, such as bug damage repairs, rot
repairs, structural work, and historical restoration
work almost always are done on a T&M basis.
9.
Will you fix rot and bug damage?
Yes, we have done a lot of rot repair and handled many
bug infestation jobs over the years. We always do this
type of work on a Time and Materials basis because the
work is normally much worse than the visible damage
would suggest.
10.
Do you do structural repairs?
Yes, usually under the watchful eye of a structural
engineer or professional engineer. Their job is to exactly
specify the repairs to make, and we are the mechanics
responsible for making those repairs correctly. We have
done a lot of "non-trivial" structural work
over the years including steel beam assemblies, complicated
framing, home jacking and sill replacement, and foundation
underpinning.
11.
While you are here, can I have your guys do some little
things on my "honey-do" list?
Absolutely. We will hang your blinds, replace sash cords,
shave the doors so they don’t stick every August,
clean the gutters, change the batteries in the smoke
detectors, and do just about anything else you need
done. Most of the time, we do this work on a Time and
Materials Basis.
12.
Where, geographically speaking, will you work?
We are based out of Winchester, MA and usually do work
in Winchester and touching towns but have worked in
Belmont, Boston, Concord, Lincoln, Newton, Sudbury,
Wellesley, Weston, and on the North Shore of Boston.
We have done projects as far away as Norwell, Rockport,
and Martha’s Vineyard but for jobs far away we
charge for travel time and sometimes for lodging and
per diem for the crew.
13.
I don’t need your "best" work, so can
I get a price for the "good" quality of work
and save some money?
Nope. Sorry, but we don’t offer "good, better,
and best" like some of the big box stores do. We
have worked long and hard to refine our craft and have
built our reputation in the community by doing the best
job we can every day. If you are looking for "good"
instead of "best" we are not the crew for
you!
14.
Will there be anyone licensed on my job?
Yes, all four of our project managers have their own
Mass Construction Supervisors License.
15.
What is my role as the customer in the construction
process?
Before construction starts, the most important thing
you can do is to tell us as much as you can about the
work you would like done. During the bidding stage we
are often asked for a fixed price quote on a poorly
defined scope of work and that’s just not possible.
A detailed, comprehensive bid requires an equally detailed
and comprehensive scope of work. Once work begins, we
need you to make decisions promptly, speak up if anything
at all concerns you, and of course pay the bills promptly.
16.
Do you do small jobs?
Yes we do. We have always done small jobs, even when
we were very busy with big jobs. We understand that
is an important part of running a full scale construction
operation. Attention to detail is of paramount importance
to us, and that attention goes into the little tasks
as well as the big jobs. Sometimes when people see us
working on a big project, they hesitate to call us to
fix the soap dish, clean the gutters, or hang a storm
door. We will always take on the small work.
17.
Do I need to be home while work is going on?
No, in fact we do a great deal of our work for families
with dual breadwinners who are seldom home. In these
instances, early morning or evening meetings, phone
calls, text messages and emails are used to keep everyone
on the same page. We will adjust our working habits
to fit your lifestyle and your work schedule.
18.
Do you use the same subcontractors all the time?
We have long term working relationships with our subcontractors,
all of whom share our high standards of workmanship
and professionalism. We require all our subcontractors
to embrace our teamwork oriented approach and to always
respect your home, property, and your neighbors’
property.
19.
Is Millwork certified to conduct business under the
rules set forth in the EPA’s new Lead Safe Remodeling
law?
Yes. Specifically, the EPA’s Renovation, Repair,
and Painting Final Rule (40 CFR 745) requires that renovations
conducted for compensation, must be performed by Certified
Firms using Certified Renovators. Late last winter,
all four of our project managers completed their individual
training and received their Certified Renovators (CR)
certificates. Soon after, Millwork Inc. received our
firm certification from the EPA. All of our certifications
were in place before the April 22, 2010 deadline imposed
by the EPA.
20.
I heard that there is a way to "opt out" of
doing Lead Safe Remodeling and that enforcement of the
rules was postponed by the EPA. Is that true?
Neither of these is true. For up to date information
on Lead Safe Remodeling and the specifics of the law,
please go to the EPA website link at www.epa.gov/opptintr/lead/pubs/lscp-renov-materials.htm.
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