Building a custom home is an exciting process because every decision brings your vision closer to reality.
Unlike a fixed-price project, a Cost Plus contract allows many purchasing and hiring decisions. Decisions happen throughout construction as pricing is finalized, subcontractors are selected, and materials become available.
For that reason, Kimball Construction uses an Authorization To Proceed. It keeps you involved in significant financial decisions without slowing progress of your new home.
Rather than committing to major expenses on your behalf, we ask for your approval first. This gives you complete visibility into how your construction budget is being invested.
An Authorization To Proceed is your written approval for Kimball Construction to move forward with a hiring or purchasing decision.
Additionally, an Authorization To Proceed is not a change order.
Furthermore, it does not change the design of your home, add new work, or modify your construction contract.
Instead, it confirms you would like us to proceed with a significant expense.
That expense is already part of building your home.
Moreover, we may hire a framing contractor, order custom windows, purchase roof trusses, or place another large material order.
This Authorization To Proceed lets you review the proposed commitment before we spend project funds.
Although every project is different, Kimball Construction generally requests an Authorization To Proceed before making commitments that exceed approximately $10,000. This threshold strikes a balance between keeping you informed and allowing construction to move forward efficiently. Smaller purchases happen every day during the construction of a home, but larger commitments often involve deposits, long lead times, or subcontractor scheduling. By reviewing those decisions together, we maintain transparency while reducing the risk of misunderstandings later in the project.
The process itself is intentionally simple. Once your project manager has gathered pricing and confirmed that a purchase or subcontractor is ready to move forward, they prepare an Authorization To Proceed and send it to you through BuilderTrend.
You will receive a notification with a secure link where you can review the request, see what Kimball Construction is proposing, understand the anticipated cost, and electronically approve the decision.
As soon as you sign, BuilderTrend automatically records your approval and notifies your project team, allowing us to begin ordering materials, securing subcontractors, or scheduling work without unnecessary delays.
Additionally, most homeowners are surprised by how quickly the process takes.
Moreover, in most cases, reviewing and signing an Authorization To Proceed requires about one minute.
Nevertheless, it is a small time investment, and prompt responses can affect your project’s schedule.
Many suppliers require deposits before manufacturing custom products, and some subcontractors book their schedules weeks or even months in advance.
Consequently, timely approvals help us lock in pricing, secure production slots, and keep your new home moving steadily toward completion.
Your project manager oversees this entire process because they have the best understanding of your project’s schedule, budget, and upcoming milestones. Before submitting an Authorization To Proceed, they review pricing, verify that the proposed expense is appropriate, and prepare a clear explanation of what is being authorized. As a result, you receive the information you need to make an informed decision without having to interpret bids, supplier quotes, or construction documents on your own.
One of the advantages of building with Kimball Construction is the level of transparency we provide throughout construction. Instead of simply informing you after a significant purchase has been made, we invite you into the decision-making process before major financial commitments occur. This approach gives you confidence that your budget remains under your control while allowing our team to continue managing the countless details required to build your home efficiently.
If you are planning to build a custom home, we also encourage you to learn more about our custom home building process, our preconstruction services, and what to expect during each phase of construction. Understanding how these processes work together will help you feel confident from your initial consultation through the day you receive the keys to your new home.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Authorization To Proceed?
An Authorization To Proceed is a written approval that authorizes Kimball Construction to hire a subcontractor, purchase materials, or make another significant financial commitment on your behalf during a Cost Plus custom home project.
Is an Authorization To Proceed the same as a change order?
No. An Authorization To Proceed does not change the scope of work or modify your contract. Instead, it authorizes Kimball Construction to proceed with a significant hiring or purchasing decision that is already part of building your home.
When is an Authorization To Proceed required?
Kimball Construction generally requests an Authorization To Proceed before making project commitments that exceed approximately $10,000.
How do I complete an Authorization To Proceed?
Your project manager will send the Authorization To Proceed through BuilderTrend. Simply open the notification, review the request, and electronically sign the document. The entire process typically takes about one minute.
Who prepares an Authorization To Proceed?
Your Kimball Construction project manager prepares each Authorization To Proceed after reviewing pricing, confirming the proposed purchase or subcontract, and ensuring the request is ready for your approval.
Why does Kimball Construction use Authorization To Proceed documents?
Authorization To Proceed documents provide transparency throughout the construction process.
They ensure homeowners approve significant project expenditures before Kimball Construction commits project funds. This helps maintain trust while keeping construction on schedule.
Building a custom home should be an exciting experience, and clear communication plays a major role in making that happen. An Authorization To Proceed is one of the tools Kimball Construction uses to provide that clarity. By asking for your approval before making significant financial commitments, we help you stay informed, maintain control of your budget, and move confidently through every stage of building your new home.
