The Backwoods Design Build Company FAQ

Potential clients often ask right away how much a project will cost, that is not an answer easily expressed during an initial client meeting. Our projects are custom, no matter the size, and we use quality suppliers of materials and finishes that range a great deal in cost based on selection. Our clients are not boxed into pre-selected materials and finishes like cabinetry or flooring as examples. The cost estimate of a project varies greatly and is dependent on client preference, materials selection choice, and budget. During the design phase of the project, we work through these elements as needed to responsibly estimate the construction cost of the scoped project.

Communication is a key to success in our design-build process and our client’s experience. Talking about project funding or budget is an important element of communication and can make or break a client experience. We understand this can be a difficult conversation to have, however, we cannot move forward without it. We know you have some funding in place or a certain amount of money you want to spend on your project – we will want to know what that is early on in our relationship. We do not
inquire to be nosy or try to sell you a project that will spend your entire budget. We need this information in order to determine if our potential clients have a responsible amount of funding in place for completing the project.

While we cannot estimate the cost of your project during our initial conversation we can determine if expectations are generally in line or not prior to moving into the design phase of your project (read more about the design phase here). For example, if you tell us you have $100k and want a 3,000 SF new construction home designed and built, we know based on experience that is not a responsible budget for that type of project and will advise accordingly. We want our clients to start their project with reasonable expectations and do not desire to squash dreams mid-way through the process due to a lack of communication about funding. Remember client experience is a value we hold on to conscientiously, we want the best experience for our clients from the start and are in the business of helping dreams come true.

We will surely connect you with our current or past clients so you can have a conversation with them.

We are committed to our client’s experience during both the design and construction phases of our projects. If circumstances change, or even a change of heart happens during the process, our clients are not obligated to sign a construction contract with our company. This is what makes us different from and highly desired in the local design-build community. As a client of ours, we want the best for you, and if construction has to wait for any reason, you are free to decide for yourself what the timing looks like and who it is with.

We have a very diverse range of clients that engage us on many different kinds of projects. We value each one of our clients equally, and our scope of work varies from project to project. See getting your project started here for the next steps as well as our project collection for highlights on the wide range of projects completed.

In our line of business, we cannot offer free estimates upfront for projects. Our clients are not boxed into pre-selected materials and finishes like cabinetry or flooring as examples, therefore we cannot estimate a project prior to going through our design phase (read more about our design phase here).

Once we establish a relationship with our potential clients and collectively decide it’s a good fit to move forward with a program meeting, we will schedule it without any associated fees. We value our client relationships and want to be confident the fit is good from both sides before we enter into any financial contractual agreement together.

Our design fees are based the project scope information gathered during our initial conversations and program meeting. The fees are based on the scope of your project and will be presented in our design contract following our program meeting.

When clients enter into a financial project contract with our company, it is implied that they have funding available to meet contractual obligations. We accept cash, checks, ACH payments, and bank wires as payment and discuss credit card payments on an individual client basis. Payment terms are phase-based and specifically outlined in our design contract.

Construction projects, no matter the size, are large financial commitments, and a few options are available to clients in the marketplace. The Backwoods does not finance projects for clients, and when clients enter into a financial project contract with our company, it is implied that they have funding available to meet contractual obligations. We accept cash, checks, ACH payments, and bank wires as payment and discuss credit card payments on an individual client basis. Payment terms will be outlined
in our construction contract. For our clients that will be using bank funding, there are a wide variety of loan options available, and it’s best to talk with your bank about getting started. You will likely need a project designed so the bank can see what they are lending funds for and determine the value of the loan and end project (see our design
process here). We work with clients to design their dream home, whether they have funding readily available, have taken out a home equity loan, or are working with a bank on a construction or bridge loan. Be sure to get us involved early in the process so you have everything you need to get your project started and finished successfully.

You will find us on one of our job sites, meeting with clients, or in the design office. We believe in traditional ways of connecting with our clients. Our preference is to work through direct client referrals, connections via our website or houzz, and local trade shows. To contact us feel free to call, text, or email us anytime. We look forward to meeting you.