- info@kimballconstruction.com
- 541.357.7837
- 132 E. Broadway, Eugene, OR
What To Expect: Initial Consultation Meeting
At Kimball Construction, we’ve designed our initial consultation to ensure it’s productive, clear, and entirely focused on your vision. Whether you’re starting from scratch or already have plans from a designer or architect, this meeting sets the tone for collaboration and provides a clear roadmap for your project’s next steps.
Why the Initial Consultation Matters
The initial consultation isn’t just about meeting—it’s about creating alignment. It’s where we start to understand your project, identify challenges, and outline solutions. This conversation ensures that your goals, expectations, and concerns are fully addressed before moving forward.
Here’s why this step is critical:
- Builds a foundation of trust and transparency.
- Ensures we’re aligned on your vision and priorities.
- Evaluate your project’s feasibility, considering scope, budget, and potential site limitations.
- Sets the stage for clear next steps, whether that involves design development or preparing a construction proposal.
What Should You Bring?
Preparation can make your consultation more effective. Whether you’re coming to us with a vision or detailed plans, the following checklist can help:
- Architectural or Designer Plans (If You Have Them): Bring your blueprints or renderings if you’ve already worked with a designer or architect.
- Your Vision: Share ideas, inspiration, or sketches if plans are not finalized.
- Property Details: Provide any site surveys, legal documentation, or zoning information.
- Budget Range: Having a budget in mind allows us to offer tailored recommendations.
- Questions and Concerns: Write down any specific questions about the construction process or your project.
These materials help us assess your project’s needs and provide valuable insights during the meeting.
Step-by-Step: What Happens During the Consultation
1. Getting to Know You and Your Goals
First, we’ll take time to understand your project’s purpose and expectations. We are good listeners, and we will listen to your ideas.
Discussion Topics:
- What is the intended use of the space?
- What design style or features are most important to you?
- What’s your overall timeline and budget?
If you already have plans, we’ll review them carefully and provide initial feedback on feasibility and construction requirements.
2. Site-Specific Considerations
Next, we’ll address any unique factors about your property that could influence construction. This includes zoning regulations, environmental concerns, and logistical challenges.
How we handle this:
- Reviewing any provided site surveys or documentation.
- Identifying potential issues and proposing solutions.
- Highlighting any additional studies or permits that may be required.
3. Evaluating Feasibility
Once we’ve discussed your vision and analyzed the site, we’ll evaluate your project’s feasibility. This involves determining whether your goals align with your budget, timeline, and site conditions.
What we’ll assess:
- Can the project realistically be completed within your budget?
- Are there any challenges—such as zoning restrictions, environmental issues, or structural concerns—that need to be addressed?
- Does the timeline align with your expectations and site constraints?
Our goal is to provide honest, transparent feedback so you can move forward with confidence.
4. Outlining the Next Steps
The next steps depend on whether you already have finalized plans or if you need assistance with design development.
If You Don’t Have Plans Yet:
- We’ll guide you through the design development process, which includes creating sketches, layouts, and renderings.
- You’ll receive a design development contract that outlines costs, timelines, and deliverables for the design phase.
If You Already Have Plans:
- We’ll move directly to preparing a detailed construction proposal based on the plans provided.
- This proposal will include an estimated cost and construction timeline.
By tailoring the next steps to your unique situation, we ensure a seamless transition toward construction.
Why You’ll Love Working with Kimball Construction
At Kimball Construction, we’re committed to providing exceptional service regardless of where you are in your project journey. Whether you need design development support or a construction partner to bring existing plans to life, we deliver with professionalism, transparency, and attention to detail.
Here’s how we stand out:
- Streamlined Processes: From consultation to completion, we make each step straightforward and stress-free.
- Personalized Service: We treat every project as unique, tailoring solutions to your vision and requirements.
- Experienced Team: With years of experience, we’ve built a reputation for quality craftsmanship and reliability.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Initial Consultation
1. How long does the consultation take?
Typically, the consultation lasts 30–60 minutes, depending on the project’s complexity.
2. Is there a fee for the consultation?
No, the initial consultation is complimentary, offering you a no-obligation opportunity to explore working with us.
3. Can I bring plans from another designer or architect?
Absolutely. If you already have plans, we’ll review them during the consultation and move forward with preparing a construction proposal.
4. Will you evaluate my project’s feasibility during the consultation?
Yes, determining feasibility is a key part of the consultation. We’ll assess whether your project aligns with your goals, budget, and site conditions.
5. What if I need changes to my existing plans?
We can discuss modifications and either collaborate with your original designer or make adjustments during the construction proposal phase.
6. What’s included in the construction proposal?
The proposal includes a cost estimate, a construction timeline, and a scope of work.
Take the First Step Toward Your Dream Project
At Kimball Construction, the initial consultation is all about setting you up for success. Whether you’re coming to us with a fresh idea or fully realized plans, we’re here to provide the expertise, guidance, and transparency needed to bring your vision to life.
What to Expect: Communication
To keep you informed about the project’s progress, we’ve established a structured communication system that ensures regular updates and timely decision-making. Here’s a breakdown of our communication methods:
- Daily Logs: Between 4 and 7 p.m., various team members will update the daily log section on BuilderTrend. These entries outline the day’s progress or impediments, such as weather-related delays. For instance, you might see updates like “No work due to weather delay” or similar notes for transparency.
- Site Visits: I visit the site at least once weekly to review the progress, perform quality control checks, and coordinate with trade workers.
- Progress Meetings: These meetings are conducted on-site or via Google Meetings once a week. Typically, we initiate these meetings after the foundation is poured to ensure important updates are communicated, decisions are made promptly, and any necessary discussions.
- Email: We use email to share documents, provide additional information, etc.
- Text message: We use text messages to share time-sensitive information, such as running late for a meeting, etc.
- Phone calls: We use phone calls for urgent matters, such as being locked out of a building, etc.
- Approvals and Documentation: BuilderTrend streamlines all material selections, change orders, payments, etc. You’ll receive notifications whenever an item needs attention, ensuring a smooth approval process.
Over the years, we have found that the most efficient way to communicate is via our weekly progress meetings. It’s a best practice to notate any questions you have throughout the week and ask them during the progress meeting. I want you to know that doing this ensures you have 100% of our time and attention when answering your questions.
We’ve fine-tuned this communication protocol over time, finding it effective in keeping everyone on the same page. However, your feedback is invaluable. I’d love to hear if you have any suggestions, preferences, or ideas for refining this system or introducing a different protocol. Your input is very important in tailoring our communication to suit your needs and preferences.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out whenever you get a chance. I’m here to ensure a collaborative and successful journey throughout this project.
Next Step: Completing a Punch List
If you are like most people, you are probably excited and anxious to finish your project and are eager to complete the little things that remain. To complete these items as efficiently as possible, we create what is called a punch list. The punch list is simply a list of all the items that remain to be completed, and upon completion of those items, the project is then considered to be complete.
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