Our Process
The steps below explain how we work together to bring your plans to life, from our first conversation through construction. Whether you’re planning a remodel, addition, or custom home, we’ll guide you through the steps that fit your project.
1. Initial Consultation
Reach Out
Call, text, or email us to tell us what you’re considering. We’ll discuss your goals, answer your initial questions, and determine whether Green Coast Living is a good fit for your project.
For home additions and new construction, the first site visit with Lance is typically complimentary. Projects requiring specialized evaluations, measurements, or documentation may begin with a paid service package. We’ll explain the scope, fees, and what you’ll receive before scheduling.
Scope of Work
We’ll discuss your plans, priorities, and the amount you’re comfortable investing. This helps us understand what you’d like to accomplish and identify whether property research, measurements, or preliminary planning would be helpful before moving forward.
Share Your Ideas
Photos, a wish list, or existing plans can help us understand what you have in mind. Share the features and styles you like, along with anything in your current space that isn’t working well. These give us a useful starting point for exploring options together.
2. Property & Budget Review
Understanding Your Property
Understanding your property helps us explore what’s possible for your plans. Depending on the project, we may need to research zoning, setbacks, easements, flood-zone requirements, HOA guidelines, or utility information.
When more detailed research or preliminary site planning is needed, we’ll recommend the appropriate service package and explain its scope, fee, and deliverables before proceeding. This helps identify potential limitations and explore alternatives before you invest in detailed design.
Establishing a Budget
With a clearer understanding of the work and property, we can discuss how your plans fit the amount you’re comfortable investing. We’ll help you weigh choices in scope, materials, and finishes, including where adjustments could bring the project closer to your budget. The goal is to establish a practical direction before investing in more detailed design work.
For a starting point, explore our remodeling and addition cost ranges.
3. Planning & Design
Developing Your Project
With a clearer understanding of your goals and what’s possible for your property, it’s time to start bringing your ideas together. Our Planning & Design services help you explore layouts, design possibilities, and the details that will make your home work for you.
When you’re ready for detailed plans, we’ll explain the drafting, architectural, and engineering services your project needs. These will be outlined in a separate design and development agreement, so you’ll know what’s included before moving forward.
Refining the Design
We review the proposed plans with you and discuss how the layout, features, and finishes fit your everyday life. Your feedback helps us refine the design before preparing the plans needed for construction. We coordinate with our draftsman and Alabama-licensed engineers for drawings and engineering appropriate to your project.
Your design agreement will explain the services and revisions included. If requested changes involve additional fees, we’ll discuss those with you before proceeding.
Your Construction Agreement
With the plans complete, your project is one step closer to construction. We’ll review the work involved, materials, and anticipated costs to develop a detailed construction estimate, giving you a clearer picture of what it will take to build.
If you decide to move forward with Green Coast Living, we’ll review the construction agreement, payment arrangements, and next steps together so you feel comfortable and informed before construction begins.
4. Permitting
Preparing for Construction
Permits and inspections help protect your investment by providing a record of the work and checks for compliance with applicable building codes. We confirm the requirements for your project with the appropriate city or county departments and coordinate the plans and documents needed for permitting. If your property has HOA or architectural review requirements, we’ll help coordinate that process as well.
Work requiring a permit begins once that permit has been issued.
During construction, we coordinate required inspections at the appropriate stages. If the reviewing department or inspector requires clarification or adjustments, we work with the appropriate trades and design professionals to address them. We’ll keep you informed about any effect on your plans or schedule.
5. Construction
Planning the Schedule
Before construction begins, we review material selections and delivery times, coordinate the trades, and establish a start date and estimated completion date. Let us know about important events or deadlines early so we can discuss what’s practical. We’ll explain the expected timeline and keep you informed if conditions change.
Caring for Your Home
Respecting your home is an important part of the work. We protect surrounding surfaces, use dust-control measures, and clean work areas regularly. If you’ll be living at home during construction, we’ll discuss access, any interruptions to utilities, and when rooms may be unavailable so you can prepare.
Keeping You Informed
Lance remains your point of contact throughout construction. We’ll keep you updated on progress, answer questions, and discuss decisions that need your attention. If unexpected conditions or requested changes affect the work, we’ll explain the options and any effect on cost or timing before proceeding.
Final Walkthrough & Project Completion
As your project nears completion, we’ll walk through the work together, review the finishing details, and take care of adjustments along the way. Our goal is to address concerns as they arise so there are fewer items remaining at the final walkthrough.
If you’re out of town, we’ll share photos and videos so you can take part in those reviews, too. Once the work is complete, we’ll provide applicable final inspection documents and warranty information.
If your project includes FORTIFIED certification, the certificate may arrive after construction is finished. We’ll coordinate the remaining paperwork and keep you updated on its progress.
Ready To Talk About Your Project?
There’s a lot to consider when planning a project, but there’s also so much to look forward to. Tell us what you’d love to change, add, or create, and we’ll help you explore what’s possible.