CUSTOMER JOURNEY
1. PREPARE
PREPARE YOURSELF TO STAY SANE AND ORGANIZED
Create a clean/safe space to get away from the mess and stress. Make special plans — with kids or pets as well as for yourself! Make plans that make meals easy. Make it easy to find those things that are displaced for the greater good of the remodel. Get outdoors regularly, or plan some time away! Remember to reach out to us at any time you have questions or concerns!
PREPARE YOUR HOME
If you have pets, create a safe environment for them and let us know any special instructions. Remove all belongings from the spaces to be remodeled — this includes fragile items and objects on or near walls in adjacent rooms. If you need it to stay safe, pack it away! We cannot be responsible for any items left in these areas. Label all objects that are to be saved/reused with blue painters tape. Be sure instructions are clear! (We will give you the tape and a marking pen!)
PREPARE YOUR CONTRACTOR
DDC will need a copy of the keys to your home for a lock box as well as any alarm codes for ease of access.
We’ll identify a staging area. This is a place where DDC can store tools and can also act, depending on available space, as a place for new materials to be stored. Any such materials should be safely packed and clearly marked.
Please provide known information about asbestos in existing paint, HVAC systems, etc.
Let us know any special information about your pets if they will be at home during our work time.
PREPARE FOR JOB TO MOVE SMOOTHLY AND EFFICIENTLY
PLUMBING
Choose/purchase your plumbing fixtures – all items like shower valves that are installed inside the wall before tile etc needs to be purchased and ready to go by the beginning of the job. Know what you want to purchase as a shower door as well.
ELECTRICAL
Although light fixtures and switch plates are installed later in the job, knowing what lights you want to install and their locations (as well as placement of switch plates and outlets) informs early electrical work.
CABINETRY
Cabinets can have a long lead time. Best to know as many details before the job begins. Typically the fabrication begins shortly after demolition.
TILE
Are you buying your tile from Italy? Have you discovered that the tile of your dreams will have a long lead time? If so, let’s plan ahead. If you are using local, easy to obtain tiles, this is not a problem. We may need to know bath or floor tile specifications before it comes in, so this is a choice that is best decided before work begins.
WINDOWS/DOORS
Once we sign a contract to work together, we do our best to order ASAP. Choices like hardware color, clad color, etc are best to be known at or before start of project. Special needs for fire glass, etc., will be indicated by the City and/or Architect.
2. DEMOLITION
​
PREPARE SITE FOR DEMOLITION
DDC will protect spaces not affected by the construction to contain the dust and debris. We will protect the floor and provide access to the space using zippered walls. We are happy to assist you in creating space for an alternate kitchen, or move washer and dryer to a convenient spot, etc. to help keep your life as normal as possible for the remodel ahead.
​
DEMOLITION
We will remove all materials per plan. Note: Once existing materials are removed, we sometimes find unexpected issues behind those walls. We will communicate any findings to you as they arise. Debris is removed from the site on a regular basis. There are times we need to let debris wait until there is a sufficient amount for a trip to the dump. We will endeavor to keep this to as little time as possible and keep it as neat as possible and in an agreed upon location convenient to work to be done.
3. ROUGH CONSTRUCTION
​
FRAMING
Framing is the fitting together of pieces to give a structure support and shape. At this point in the remodel process, we will need to have your rough valve (associated only with a shower faucet) on site. It’s also time to know where you want to put things on the walls, such as towel bars, so we can block the area to ensure they stay hung!
​
ROOFING
Right about now, sometime during the Rough Construction phase is when any roof work will be done.
ROUGH ELECTRICAL
All electrical wiring and cables are pulled through the studs of the wall and boxes for light switches, outlets and receptacles are placed. At this point, we need to know the locations for your light switches, outlets and receptacles.
​
ROUGH PLUMBING
All water supply and drain pipes are run through bored holes in the studs and other framing members and all pipe connections are made. At this point, we need to have the SPECS for all plumbing fixtures, including sink (and vanity for bathroom), faucets, shower head, toilet, tub, kitchen sink, stove and refrigerator. These items do not need to be on site, but the choices need to be made and the SPECS be available for the plumber.
​
ROUGH HVAC
HVAC ductwork is installed.
INSULATION
Insulation is installed as a means of reducing the transmission of thermal energy through walls, ceilings and floors. It can also be used in these same locations to reduce noise. Our estimate will always include the standard insulation material, per building code. However, there are other choices. Some people prefer to use a natural cotton or blue jean material or blown-insulation. We can discuss the options in detail early in the job to see if you might be interested in any other options.
​
SHEETROCK & MUDDING
(aka Drywall) To begin, the sheets of drywall are put up and then inspected. Once they pass inspection, we apply thin coats of compound to the joints and screw indentations for a smooth, flat finish.
​
PREP & PRIME FOR PAINT
Walls are sanded to ensure a smooth finish and then a coat of primer is painted on before any painting begins. Sometimes the first coat of paint will go up now. The final/finish coat of painting is done at the end of the job.
4. FINISH CONSTRUCTION
​
PAINTING
Sometimes clients choose to do their own paintings for cost savings. The actual timing for painting can vary, but it is always in this finish aspect of the work.
​
COUNTERTOPS & TILE
Install countertops in the kitchen and/or bath as needed. Any tile backsplash is installed after the countertops. It would also be at this time that a bathroom shower or floors would be tiled. It’s good to know what products you will be using at or before the start of a project to help the schedule progress as smoothly as possible.
​
FLOORING
Depending on the type of flooring, there can be two rounds of flooring. With hardwood floors, the material is laid and sanded, but the final finish coat goes on at the end of the job so it is fresh for you. There are also choices to consider in the finish for hardwood — oil or water-based. There is a higher VOC in the oil-based, but it generally lasts longer than water-based by a few years.
TRIM
This is the installation of baseboard, molding, etc., and also putting up mirrors, medicine cabinet and towel bars, etc.
FINISH ELECTRICAL
Light fixtures are hung; outlets and switch plates are installed.
​
FINISH PLUMBING
Sinks, toilets, appliances, etc. are installed and ready to use.
5. COMPLETION
​
Walk-thru to check-in with the client to see if everything is as expected and what needs finishing touches.
​
FINAL INSPECTION
There will have been a number of inspections along the way so inspectors can see wiring and plumbing before the walls go up, etc. The final inspection is the point that when all is approved, the permit can be closed.
​
WARRANTY
We stand behind all our work. Little things can arise shortly after the job is completed that we need to come back for. But even a few years on, if you have any problems with anything related the the work performed, just reach out to us for assistance!
