ARE YOU CONSIDERING NEW CONSTRUCTION?

 

What is Seattle Design Build?

The Seattle design build process provides an all inclusive construction package will a variety of skill sets including: Engineering, design, cost feasibility analysis, permitting and plan review, and general construction. Schenkar ConstructionDesign Build provides our clients with a variety of services such as: Seattle Custom home construction, Seattle remodeling, Seattle bathroom remodeling, kitchen remodeling, and foundation repair, house lifting outdoor structures.

We also customize our client’s visions by providing interior design consultation. The design build concept allows the client to maximize the construction process by efficiently organizing their specific projects components with one group. Schenkar Construction Design Build provides exclusive “on site” management approach. This means your project is assigned a project manager who works directly with your project and you to outline scheduling, budget, construction processes andthe building of your work.

Some Examples?

Many Seattle homes have older foundations that are cracking or settling. One of our services includes pipe piling, and setting of foundations to mitigate this settling. Underpinning foundations is a very common strategy to mitigate thisproblem. We have a team of structural engineers, geo-technical engineers that evaluate the integrity of your foundation and make professional recommendations for solutions. You may have plans of permits already in hand for a house design addition.

Schenkar Construction has the ability to start this construction process and complete your project. In some cases, our clients are in need of architectural designs. We have a team of designers that provide consultation for design and engineering. The construction process has many different components that can be confusing. Schenkar Construction explains the process and helps the client understand the expectation of this process. We use a variety of suppliers for materials for lumber, concrete, framing, drywall, paint, roofing, siding, excavation, and others. In addition, we specifically concentrate on the development of sites. This process might call for services in site development, side sewer contractors,electrical, plumbing, and site development.

Process

In order to gear our client’s expectation of the process, we provide an initial cost feasibility analysis for an estimate range prior to bidding your project. This allows our client to figure a range of costs prior to moving forward with thedesign process. Some of our clients have architectural plans they wish to have permitted and reviews. We can submit these plans through the city process to guarantee a permit. During that time Schenkar Construction Design Build can provide anestimate for construction services. One of the services we provide is house lifting, raising and leveling. Many of the older Seattle homes do not have full height finished basements. We can lift the home and replace the existing foundation. Atthe same time we can raise the home and create a full height basement which essentially doubles the square footage of usable space in the basement. This is a fantastic way to increase your homes value and continue to build equity. In additionwe focus on many smaller projects including: decks, outdoor structures, patios, landscape design, and fences. We can also complete small additions, bathroom and kitchen remodeling. We also handle drainage problems and rebuilding of drainagefields, septic systems and tighline and footing drains. The construction process can be intimidating, we at Schenkar Construction Design Build try to help our clients understand both the process and the direct and indirect costs of why projectscost what they do. We try to help educate our clients as to process and what their expectations should be.

The concept of Design/Build has some very essential points that all reflect a better overall project for the owner. Budget is firstdetermined by the general scope of the concept compared to similarly completed projects. With knowledge of costs early and budgets set, unexpected elevated costs cannot occur. More often than not, a set of independent plans that are designedwith little realistic thought or knowledge of true construction costs can exceed and owner’s expected costs by 60 percent or more. This, unfortunately, is not found out until the plans are put out for bid. With Design/Build the design andconstruction come under one contract, another plus for the owner. The designer and engineer of the construction company are unified working together making recommendations to the owner. Finally, this is usually the fastest method of completinga project.

Construction

Our next move is to acquire all the necessary building permits from the City. Once those are set in place, we can begin construction. We will help you with preparation before and during the remodel. Prior to groundbreaking, the ProductionManager will meet with you, the Homeowner, and the Project Supervisor, who will oversee all the work performed on your remodel. This ensures that everyone understands the scope and goals of your project. During construction, you will have dailyupdates from the Project Supervisor and access to the Production Manager with any questions that may come up.

Green Building

Designing a resource-efficient home is an integrative process. It involves site selection and evaluation, building design, construction, operation, maintenance, and deconstruction. All parties including contractors, architects, landscapedesigners, owners, engineers, government agencies, suppliers, and utility companies should be involved in planning and design for the most effective integration of components. A green home designs waste and pollution out of the process bycombining site characteristics, materials, mechanical systems, and design elements to maximize resources.Home design should consider:

• Location relative to transportation, sewer, water, power, fire and other existing infrastructure
• Natural site characteristics that may enhance or restrict design,e.g. solar access,stream corridor, etc.
• Efficient use of space for floorplan layout, e.g. shape and size
• Environmentally and socially considerate parking and road network, e.g. efficient access, reduce impervious materials, community oriented
• Green product material selection
• Efficient and comfortable floorplan, energy and water efficiency, and indoor air quality
• Construction waste management plan

Green building practices reduce negative environmental impacts, while using the features of the site to enhance human comfort and health. Preserving site resources and conserving energy and materials in construction and building operations are importantPre-design is the phase in which a site is analyzed for general sustainable characteristics. Incorporating green building practices at this stage can clearly define a green framework. Green design identifies the ecological characteristics ofthe site and addresses ways to integrate the building with the site. Pre-design issues include:

• Proximity of the site to employment, transportation routes, and other amenities
• Water supply and neighboring land uses
• Existing infrastructure, i.e. sewer pipes, power lines, water mains, roads, etc.
• Energy sources, both on-site (e.g. solar potential) and utility based
• Ability to maintain and enhance biodiversity of site or recover a site that has been abused, i.e. stripped, eroded, invaded by non-native vegetation, etc.
• Ability to avoid environmentally sensitive areas
• Lot size (Smaller lots can accommodate comfortable, resource-efficient homes.)

Characteristics

Research and evaluation of physical and cultural characteristics of the site will influence construction plans, and resource efficient technology, systems, and materials. Relevant site characteristics may include:

• Topographical features that influence drainage and air movement
• Groundwater and surface runoff characteristics
• Soil texture and characteristics (bearing, compatibility and infiltration rates)
• Air movement patterns
• Neighboring developments and proposed future developments
• Parcel shape and access
• Solar attitude and microclimate factors, e.g. snow and wind load
• Sensitive areas such as wetlands, animal migration or mating areas, and endangered species of plants or animals
• Neighboring cultural and architectural characteristics
• On-site raw materials such as wood, stone, sand and clay available for construction
• Existing trees and native vegetation

The building design phase integrates the site, floorplan, building orientation, landscaping, materials, mechanical systems, architectural characteristics, and construction practice guidelines into the optimal green home.Building design issues typically include the following considerations:

• Green products and materials
• Passive solar and energy efficiency principles
• Water efficiency and quality
• Landscaping
• Indoor air quality
• Building codes and standards
• Affordability and financing