Common questions from our commercial and institutional clients.
Can you handle any job?
We are a mid-sized firm that has been serving Central Virginia for over 30 years. Our commercial portfolio includes projects ranging from small tenant fit-outs to 96,000 sq ft campus builds. We are well-suited for projects that benefit from hands-on management and a partnership approach.
Do you have in-house design capabilities?
We work with architects and have staff skilled in CAD and SketchUp for preconstruction and design-build work. While we do not have licensed architects on staff, our team can develop conceptual designs and manage the design process from start to finish, coordinating closely with your architectural team.
What are your overhead and profit rates?
Our overhead and profit varies by job size, difficulty, and schedule. We are transparent about our rates and discuss them openly during the estimating phase. Every project is different, and we tailor our approach to provide the best value.
How is project management billed?
Project managers are billed at actual labor cost. Our managers work multiple phases simultaneously, which means you benefit from efficient allocation of management resources across the project lifecycle.
What is your supervision structure?
We prefer full-time dedicated superintendents on our commercial projects. This ensures consistent quality control, safety compliance, and clear communication with your team and building occupants.
Do you self-perform or subcontract work?
We strategically self-perform carpentry and general labor, and outsource specialized trades to vetted subcontractors. This approach gives us direct control over quality for core work while leveraging specialized expertise where it matters most.
What types of contracts do you use?
We offer both lump sum and cost-plus contracts. For many commercial clients, we provide cost-plus with a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP), which gives you budget certainty while allowing flexibility for design refinement. We use standard AIA contracts for transparency and legal clarity.
How precise are your estimates?
We use real-time subcontractor quotes rather than historical data alone. The more detailed the information you provide, the more precise our estimates will be. We break down estimates in detail so you can see exactly where every dollar goes.
How do you handle change orders?
If the actual cost comes in under an allowance, you receive 100% of the savings. When schedule is critical, we can proceed on a time-and-materials basis to avoid delays while the formal change order is processed. Transparency is key throughout.
Can you work in occupied facilities?
Absolutely. We have extensive experience completing renovations in occupied hospitals, schools, offices, and worship spaces. We develop phasing plans that minimize disruption, manage noise and dust, and maintain safe access for building occupants at all times.