Pre-construction
Click to below to download a visual overview of our TBL2 (table 2) process!
Our TBL2 process has been developed with your needs in mind. We approach the pre-construction process in several stages, so that you don’t feel pressured to commit to building the entire home before you have some idea of the costs involved.
Discovery
Everybody wants a home built for comfort, health, efficiency, and durability. But few builders stand out from the crowd and truly deliver! At R-Value Homes, our passion is a commitment to excellence and amazing home performance.
During this stage we will take the time to learn about your goals, our capabilities, and find out if we are a good fit for one another.
We strive for a successful project from the very beginning, this means you as our client need to understand us, and we need to understand you. Explaining how we do it differently is our "5 Reasons" brochure for download below.
Stage I: Create
We begin this stage after you own the property, discussing your budget, feature, finish, and size goals for the project; then help you determine a target size. Nobody else can do this! We explore the build site, create a concept design, and assemble a concept budget.
The design then progresses to include preliminary versions of all drawings needed, and along with that the budget becomes more granular.
You begin this stage with a dream. You leave with a clear picture of what is to come.
Stage II: Customize
This is where things get fun! While the drawings progress through a couple stages, you are working with optional members of the design team to provide structural and HVAC engineering, interior and landscape design. Their work is incorporated into the drawings, and a full set of specifications for the project is drafted.
Meanwhile you make all your selections: kitchen cabinets and tops, lighting and plumbing fixtures, flooring, and every other detail required to make this house your own unique home; beautiful, comfortable, and exactly what your lifestyle needs.
Now the drawings and specifications are finalized, final pricing is assembled, and you are presented with a Construction Proposal.
Next Level Collaboration
Financing
- The specifications and budget we agree upon in Stage 2 is submitted to the bank or your choice, who will provide an “on-paper” appraisal of the completed home.
- A down payment to the bank is required, ranging by bank from 5% to 20%. Any equity in your property can usually be counted toward the required down payment.
- Overall this process usually runs 4-6 weeks.
Permitting & Scheduling
All required permits are applied for. In West Michigan, permitting typically takes 2-4 weeks; longer if building on an environmentally sensitive property, such as the Lake Michigan shoreline or near wetlands.
With these details attended to, R-Value Homes schedules the start date for your home, and the fun begins!
Site work
Lot clearing, driveway, and excavation are usually the first major changes you see on your building site.
Foundation and Framing
Your home begins to take shape! You are invited to stop by after working hours as often as you like. We will host a framing review meeting before progressing further.
Scheduling and Timeline
While there are many factors that impact how long it takes to build a home; size has the greatest impact. Our average home takes 9 months to build; from excavation to move-in. As you might expect, smaller homes are quicker, while larger homes take longer.
Our scheduling process prioritizes quality over speed. For example, concrete cure times aren’t only about strength development, adequate time also allows more moisture to move out of the concrete; reducing moisture-related problems later.
Our schedule also considers the custom nature of our homes. No two of our clients select the exact same materials for their home; so we don’t force a one-size-fits-all schedule on a unique home.
We've put some actual numbers to the timeline of our process in this helpful and free download:
