Building Your Dream

When you decide to build a new home, thousands of items and details come into play. M.J. Smith Builders Inc. offers a comprehensive custom design/build approach with a personal touch for your future home. Mike Smith, president of M.J. Smith Builders Inc. and his team will provide you with the paper process needed to take your concepts into schematic design through design development and into contract documents.

Concepts

Mike Smith meets with you, the client, to develop a "concept for the design" and budget. At this time, discussions range from your wants and needs to what your future plans are. How many bedrooms/baths do you need or anticipate? Want extra space for a computer media room, workshop, study or storage? Do you live in your kitchen? Or is it the family living area? A 3-car garage? Do the kids each need their own bath? Does the house sit on the site? Is there a statement to be made?

Planning ahead, are your family needs met? Are there teenagers needing their own space? Will you be "empty nesters" wanting to convert a bedroom into a cozy retreat? Are you professionals working from home?

With these and many more questions answered, a sketch development program and budget are assembled. Then a budget and concept sketches are presented for your review and comment.

Schematics

Drawings and sketches begin to flow back and forth, comments, questions, answers, probing and developing the look. This allows the designers the chance to interpret your dreams and wishes with paper, building codes and systems. We work with planners, structural and HVAC engineers to determine the feasibility of that 8-foot bathtub, 4 headed shower you've seen in the new home magazines, while reviewing major cost items and maintaining your budget. The budgets and designs are assembled and made ready for review. Then confirm whether or not the team is on track. We also ask that the future homeowners begin to look at the big picture items such as exteriors, windows and roof systems.

Design Development

Your plan is coming together, your interests and likes are on paper. It’s time to review the exterior and the look, prior to the building permit being applied for. Review room sizes, ceiling heights, window sizes and systems, location on the building lot. Is the outdoor profile to your liking? Do the computer center/network or home entertainment center sizes fit? Are the interior concepts to your specifications and liking? The exterior hardscape and landscape packages need to be designed, the local Building Department may need information to review for permitting. Local neighborhood covenants should also be reviewed for compliance with the site planning.

Contract Documents

We have now reached the goal, a set of documents that reflect your dream, a budget that is reflecting the scope of work and is realistic. Next, Building Department applications are submitted for permits. Successively, we will need to develop the interiors of your new home. This part of the process is when the Interior Designers get involved to put your personality into the home.

Decisions have to be made there are schedules to keep, suppliers to meet and subcontractors making product presentations all for your benefit.

The Building Permit is issued!

Construction begins. The site is cleared, machines begin to push and move the sand and earth. The plumbers set the pipes, concrete trucks place your foundation, masons begin to strike the blocks, walls go up, your vision takes form. Carpenters set the trusses and roofing materials are in place. The windows and doors flow next, air conditioning mechanics, plumbers and electricians perform their tasks. Meetings with the building Officials take place, and insulation and drywall arrive.

The finishes on both the outside and the interior begin. Coordination of your rooms begins, the craftsmen are at work. The tile setters, millwork and cabinetmakers, painters, interior specialists, lighting, plumbing and acoustical systems all coming together to complete your interior. The outside of your new home is busy with the masons, carpenters, landscapers and the hardscape crews finalizing their work. Inspections, details the quality checks, last minute changes your dream is ready!