How We Do Business

FULL-SERVICE DESIGN-BUILD HOME CONTRACTOR

Where innovation meets professionalism and precision

Since 2005, Swiss Appeal has delivered high-quality craftsmanship with a collaborative approach to construction and design with precision in every detail.

As a full-service design-build, general contractor, and construction management specialist, Swiss Appeal will oversee your home remodeling projects and home additions with care and attention to detail.

We offer full design services and serve as a general contractor to execute complete professional design plans, whether you bring them to us or we create them collaboratively.

We offer two options to help you with your project:

You Need Help with the Design of Your Project

You Have Professionally Completed Plans

This is how we do business if you need plans

How we can help with the design and specifications of your project

If you do not have completed plans and specs, we can help you:

  1. Determine a realistic budget you can commit to
  2. Develop a design concept
  3. Evaluate and identify appropriate materials and detailed specifications
  4. Discuss and confirm the sequence of construction activities
  5. Discuss and create a realistic start and completion schedule for your project
  6. Prepare a fixed price proposal with detailed specifications
Initial call to our office

Our relationship starts with a phone conversation to confirm the fit between your needs and our services. We’ll discuss what we both want to accomplish should we agree to meet at your home.

 We’ll ask you to commit to openly and honestly discussing:

  • Your reason for this project and what’s important to you about project construction.
  • Your deciding factors in choosing a contractor and your expectations.
  • Your anticipated budget (we can help you if you’re unsure of a realistic budget), which will help select products and finishes, and eliminate surprises.
  • Your decision-making process for the project.

 If we agree, we’ll schedule an initial meeting at your home.

Initial Meeting

We require all decision-makers in the project to attend this and other meetings. We are happy to reschedule between the hours of 7am – 7pm Monday thru Friday if someone involved cannot attend.

 We’ll discuss the items from our initial call and use this meeting to confirm that our services and way of doing business is a fit for your project needs.

 If we decide to move forward (see next step).

Creating a fixed fee design agreement for your project

Following our initial meeting, if we decide to work together, Swiss Appeal Design + Construction will enter into a fixed fee design agreement to develop the design and specifications of your project. If the project scope requires, we will also involve our trade partners at this stage.  We’ll schedule the first design meeting when all decision-makers can participate.

Our initial design process and what to expect

At Swiss Appeal Design + Construction we only offer design services to those who intend to have us build their project. This allows us to streamline and reduce the total cost as well as the time it takes to complete the design, and you’ll only pay for project design and construction plan sets once.

 The first phase of project design does not include any of the architectural or structural blueprints required for actual construction or permit application. In most cases, we can provide fixed pricing for your project from our concept drawings developed during the initial design process.  Our fixed price proposal will include the cost and creation of a final set of plans for construction and building permit applications. Final plans will be created only after you commit to the project.  With our process, the initial design of your project will never exceed your budget, without your express decision and approval.

Choosing products and materials

During the initial design and specification process, we will help you choose products and materials that support your purpose and are within your targeted budget.  We can direct you to the vendors we partner with to make sure you get the information and support you need to make the best selections and decisions. Material and product selection is required before we complete the design process and prepare a fixed price proposal.

Moving from design to construction of your project:

As we finalize your design concept and written proposal, we will again schedule a meeting of all involved decision-makers to make a final decision about working together. 

 At this point, to proceed, you’ll sign our proposal and provide the required deposit to put your project on our schedule.  We will then prepare and execute a MA HIC compliant Construction Agreement.

 Should you decide to go forward, we will apply your initial design deposit to the total cost of your project.  Because design is an integral piece of our construction process, it is only natural that we include the cost of design in your target budget, as well as in the final fixed price proposal. 

 If you do not commit to proceed with us at this meeting, our fixed price proposal will remain the property of Swiss Appeal Design + Construction. However, after the meeting, we can send a brief project summary indicating the total project cost.

Establishing and confirming the project schedule

Establishing and adhering to a construction schedule is of utmost importance to Swiss Appeal Design + Construction. The exact project start date of your project is conditional on the selection and confirmation of the availability and/or ordering lead time of all products and materials. This is required to control costs, protect the fixed price for your project, reduce construction delays, and minimize the impact of construction activities on you and or your family. It also helps us make sure we can deliver on our promise to other customers to start their projects on schedule as promised.

Keeping you informed and involved during construction

To help us reduce construction delays and minimize the impact of construction activities on you and or your family, we require that you commit to attend and participate in scheduled meetings during your project. Meeting types and quantities will vary depending on project size and scope, and your participation ensures that we can complete your project with the quality you expect, in a timely fashion.

Working together to wrap up your project:

As we near the close of your project we will meet once more to review and complete our Pre-completion Quality Control Checklist, identifying all the work that still needs to be completed before we pack up our tools and equipment, do a final job site clean-up, and request final payment.

This is how we do business if you already have plans

What does it mean to have professionally completed plans?

We consider plans and specifications to be complete if the design of your project and the products to be used have been finalized and every required construction detail is included so our company and our trade partners can assemble a fixed cost for your project without making assumptions.

Are you willing to share a realistic budget for the project?

We require clients to share a realistic budget (if it’s not, we’ll let you know), so that we can assist you. If your plans and specifications are not complete, we can help you using our proven design-build process.

Initial call to our office:

Our relationship starts with a phone conversation to confirm the fit between your needs and our services. We’ll discuss what we both want to accomplish should we agree to meet at your home.  

We’ll ask you to commit to openly and honestly discussing:

  • Your reason for this project and what’s important to you about project construction.
  • Your deciding factors in choosing a contractor and your expectations.
  • Your anticipated budget (we can help you if you’re unsure of a realistic budget), which will help select products and finishes, and eliminate surprises.
  • Your decision-making process for the project.

If we agree, we’ll schedule an initial meeting at your home.

Initial Meeting:

We require all decision-makers in the project to attend this and other meetings. We are happy to reschedule between the hours of 7am – 7pm Monday thru Friday if someone involved cannot attend.

We’ll discuss the items from our initial call and use this meeting to confirm that our services and way of doing business is a fit for your project needs.

If we decide to move forward (see next step).

Creating a fixed price proposal for your project

Following our initial meeting, if we decide to work together, Swiss Appeal Design + Construction will coordinate with you to schedule any return visits to your home required to properly price your project. If the project scope requires, we will also involve our trade partners at this stage.  If you still need to make certain decisions and product selections before we can prepare a fixed price proposal for you, we can refer you to our vendor partners for the help you need to confirm product selections.

Committing to the construction of your project

After creating a fixed price written proposal from your plans and specification, we will schedule a meeting of all decision-makers to review our proposal together and make a final decision about working together. 

At this point, to proceed, you’ll sign our proposal and provide the required deposit to put your project on our schedule.  We will then prepare and execute a MA HIC compliant Construction Agreement.

If you do not commit to proceeding with us at this meeting, our fixed price proposal will remain the property of Swiss Appeal Design + Construction. However, after the meeting, we can send a brief project summary indicating the total project cost.

Establishing and confirming the project schedule

Establishing and adhering to a construction schedule is of utmost importance to Swiss Appeal Design + Construction. The exact project start date of your project is conditional on the selection and confirmation of the availability and/or ordering lead time of all products and materials. This is required to control costs, protect the fixed price for your project, reduce construction delays, and minimize the impact of construction activities on you and or your family. It also helps us make sure we can deliver on our promise to other customers to start their projects on schedule as promised.

Keeping you informed and involved during construction

To help us reduce construction delays and minimize the impact of construction activities on you and or your family, we require that you commit to attend and participate in scheduled meetings during your project. Meeting types and quantities will vary depending on project size and scope, and your participation ensures that we can complete your project with the quality you expect, in a timely fashion.

Working together to wrap up your project:

As we near the close of your project we will meet once more to review and complete our Pre-completion Quality Control Checklist, identifying all the work that still needs to be completed before we pack up our tools and equipment, do a final job site clean-up, and request final payment.

Here’s what our clients are saying:

Guy Zapolleon and Cathy, Homeowners

Project: Sunroom and Deck Addition

Contact Us

If you have questions, a potential project, or want to know more about what we do,

please send us a message

Open 8 am – 5:30 pm, M-F

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