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The Contractor Coaching Partnership Blog

Design/Build Questionnaire for Remodelers

Posted by Mark Paskell on Sat, Nov 14, 2009 @ 10:08 PM

In our recent Remodeler Roundtable Forum for contractors we introduced a questionnaire for our 12 members to get them thinking about the subject of running a design build company. It was interesting to hear some of the comments during the session.  

One member said "the questionnaire reminds me of the things I know I should be doing but somehow I got sidetracked. This is a great tool to get me back on the right track"

Sometimes we get so busy, lose focus and forget some of the basics we know are necessary to run our design build contracting business. Now is a great time to get back to basics and start planning for next year. I am providing the list for your use. I hope it helps as you analyze your contracting business in preparation for 2010.  Please let me know if you find this information helpful.

mark the coach

The Contractor Coaching Partnership Design/Build Questionnaire 

#

yes

no

 

1.

 

 

I/we bid other people's plans?

2

 

 

I/we provide design services for a fee?

3

 

 

I/we are qualified to provide design services?

4

 

 

I/we employ or sub-contract with a qualified designer or architect?

5

 

 

I/we use a design/build lead form to capture lead information?

6

 

 

I/we provide design ideas and concepts and bid for free?

7

 

 

I/we provide cost/plus bids?

8

 

 

I/we have determined that what type of clients we will work for?

9

 

 

I/we have determined what type of projects we will take on?

10

 

 

I/we will walk away from projects and homeowners that don't meet our model?

11

 

 

I/we will run an appointment with only one decision maker present?

12

 

 

I/we will not run an appointment unless all decision makers are present?

13

 

 

I/we have an accurate estimating system, that yields pricing that cover direct costs, indirect costs, overhead, marketing costs, sales costs, owners salary, equipment and profit?

14

 

 

I/we are proficient in explaining the budget to the homeowner?

15

 

 

I/we have a well defined sales process for design/build?

16

 

 

I/we have a well defined sales process for scope development?

17

 

 

I/we have a well defined sales process to complete an accurate written contract to build the project?

18

 

 

I/we have a stable of qualified subs and vendors to assist in the scope development of our projects?

19

 

 

I/we rely heavily upon allowances to complete the build contract?

20

 

 

I/we allow for time to assist the homeowner in the selection of products to be used on the project before the contract is finalized?

21

 

 

I/we try to eliminate all allowances in the build contract?

22

 

 

I/we require written scopes from subs and vendors that reflect the final scope of work in the build contract?

23

 

 

I/we have a well defined production process?

24

 

 

I/we use carpenters trained in the lead carpenter production system?

25

 

 

I/we have a written change order policy?

26

 

 

Our carpenters are trained to follow the contract and write change orders?

27

 

 

I/we prepare the job binder for the lead carpenter?

28

 

 

I/we conduct pre-construction meetings with the lead carpenter and the homeowner?

29

 

 

I/we provide a schedule for construction and hold weekly meetings with the homeowner?

30

 

 

I/we conduct weekly job cost reviews of our projects?

31

 

 

I/we create estimated versus actual job cost reports and review them weekly?

32

 

 

I/we have an accounting system with a chart of accounts that separates direct and indirect job costs, and produce the necessary financial reports needed to run my business?

33

 

 

I/we conduct forensic reviews of completed jobs?

34

 

 

I/we actively market our ongoing projects to the neighborhood?

35

 

 

I/we consistently ask our customers for referrals?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tags: Contractor Business Coach, design/build, Remodeler Roundtables