Setting expectations for construction will ensure a smooth process. There will be strangers in your house every day, doing a variety of tasks, and making noise. We will deconstruct your house before we can reconstruct it. If it’s summer, you may get hot, and if it’s winter, you may feel the cold. There will be building materials coming in, and trash coming out. Even though we clean up at the end of every day, your house will still get dirty. You may be without a kitchen or bath for months, or longer. The Construction Process may interrupt virtually every routine you follow. At Sam Adams & Co., we want to be upfront about the challenges faced in dealing with multiple independent subcontractors and the possible delays that can be a part of the remodeling process.

How Soon Can We Start?

• This is a common question. The construction process is 60% planning and 40% work. We need to develop a complete scope of work before you can sign a contract. The “Pre-Construction Phase” can last anywhere from 1-4 months depending on the size and complexity of the project.
• After the “Pre-construction Phase” you will be presented with a contract. When you sign the contract, you will pay a deposit on the project and the next 2-3 weeks are spent ordering your materials and developing your schedule.
• Your start date is also dependent on Sam Adams & Co.’s current workload and schedule. When we present the contract, we will discuss the start time of the “Construction Phase.” Many factors are involved including, but not limited to, subcontractors schedules, lead times for materials, and permits.

Expect the Unexpected.

• Sam Adams & Co.’s “Pre-Construction Phase” is set up to define the expectations of the Design, Costs, and Timing. Doing this on paper is far cheaper than making decisions once your family’s home is torn apart. This helps us meet your goals while managing your budget.
• We encourage clients to set aside 5-10% of their total budget for extra costs that may come up throughout the process – who knows what we will find when we get behind those walls.
• During construction, expect changes, the process is fluid. There are always unknown issues, material changes, task changes, and schedule shifts; These often result in “Change Orders”.
• At Sam Adams & Co., you’ll be the first to know when any changes are on the horizon so you can make the best decisions about your investment.

Weekly Meetings on Job Progress Are a Must.

• Conflicts are not only possible but likely. Weekly meetings between the Homeowner and Project Manager are a staple at Sam Adams & Co. This helps us work out items that start to go sideways before it happens.
• Not able to meet? Regardless of the meeting, our Project Manager will send you a “Weekly Update and Look Ahead” to review the work completed, forecast future work, follow-up on unanswered questions, confirm unspecified materials, and review billing to date.

A Remodel Does Not a New House Make.

• Baltimore is full of unique and special homes, we appreciate this, but a new set of cabinets will not repair the plumb of your walls.
• A remodel can help improve the structure and appearance of your home but will not solve that foundation issue (unless of course, you’ve asked us to solve that first!).
• Sam Adams & Co. will work with you to uncover what is possible when improving your home.

It is Unrealistic to Set a Cut-off Date?

• Set a goal, aim toward that goal, but please remain flexible.
• Our process requires specific approvals by certain dates by the client to keep a project on time. Many items in a project have extensive lead times that are out of the control of our control if approved, changed, or added during construction.
• Unknown challenges can affect your project timeline. We pride ourselves in thoughtful work, not rushed work. Sam Adams & Co. is invested in keeping your project on time and on budget.

There Will Be Days When No One Is There.

• Or it may feel like little progress has been made. We keep records of what was accomplished each day, feel free to ask!
• There is an order in which tasks need to be completed for a successful installation. We try to be efficient with our scheduling to save the crew time and your money. At times, we need to wait for fabrication.

Delays Happen.

• We develop our schedules with cushion time for delays in mind. Sicknesses happen. Sub contractors get behind with other projects taking longer than expected
• Your construction schedule will change, and we will update you when it does. We will also let you know if these changes adjust the overall timeline or create a significant delay.
• Sam Adams & Co. anticipates delays to keep your project on time or ahead of schedule as much as possible.

Substantial Completion is not Finished.

• Sometimes finished can mean ready for client use. We want you to have access to your space as soon as possible, but we will not be completely done until all tasks are complete.
• Dings and dents happen. All of these will be addressed in a comprehensive Punch List to close-out the project.
• Sam Adams & Co. looks forward to the successful completion of your project as much as you do.

Construction Sites Are for Construction Workers.

• While we take extensive measures to mitigate risks (including safety kits, fire extinguisher, and personal protection), construction sites are NOT safe. For insurance reasons, we can not have the homeowner or anyone else in the space while the contractors are working.
• It’s important for us to maintain control of the space until we are 100% complete so we can maintain ownership of issues before the homeowner receives the space. Areas released back to the client’s control before 100% are excluded from the final punch list.

Management without Micromanaging.

• We are a prime contractor, and we manage a network of skilled subcontractors. Our crews are not our own employees and we do not have the capacity to over manage them. We find the right skilled tradesman to complete the necessary work with proper tools at their own discretion and rely on their expertise to get the job done efficiently and properly.
• Shoe Covers and other protections are worn on an as-needed basis as they present a slipping risk when carrying materials and tools over wood/stone floors. (In the case of an accident the property owner may be held liable).
• We are open to making special accommodations for noise/area/tool constraints on an as-needed basis with the expectation of an increase in cost and decreased performance.
• You can expect Sam Adams & Co.’s Project Manager to spend at least 1-2 hours on-site on working days. However, even behind the scenes, they are working diligently to keep your project moving forward effectively.

Construction Dust Takes Time to Settle.

• Construction can and will be dirty and dusty. Our construction sites should be found broom swept and organized daily depending on the task at hand.
• We strive to mitigate dust and debris; however, we are not perfect. You will find dust in every corner of your house… even with walls of plastic, HEPA filters, and closed doors. We are not responsible for cleaning dust in areas outside of the construction site.
• However, along with our builds, we provide house cleaning as a part of the service. This should be part of your construction expectations. We will send a cleaning service to you, up to three weeks after job completion. Sam Adams & Co. wants to make sure your finished project looks amazing!

Project Managers Know Your Schedule.

• Though the crew on-site may make optimistic projections on timing, your project manager and our main office will know best.
• Your project manager is like your very own orchestra director, knowing how all the notes come together and when. Sam Adams & Co. has an amazing project manager dedicated to finishing your project.

Manage Emotions.

• Managing your emotions can be key in setting construction expectations. Try to plan some time off for yourself during the project. It is an ideal time to visit family, or take a vacation away from your home, or even a staycation in a nice hotel near your home. But do something that will help you renew your emotional bandwidth and recharge.
• Construction projects are exhausting, and you must know when to step away and take care of yourself. Clients often feel like it’s an indulgence to take time for themselves like this since they’re spending so much money on the luxury of remodeling. Some time away will help you feel better and keep you in the right state of mind to keep your project on track.