Our Design Build Process

Every great project starts and finishes with a great client.

Fostering a wonderful experience for our clients is at the forefront of what we do. We value transparent and honest client relationships and foster open communication between clients, designers, and builders. This starts with our focus on listening to and learning from our clients.

We draw the best out of your home or work space with a functional and intentional aesthetic driving our design process and extraordinary attention to detail and craftsmanship in our construction process. 

Our magic formula is simple: a great partnership between an award-winning architect and an award-winning builder based on mutual respect and years of successful collaboration that drives a seamless design build process.

Click on image to see project.

Alloy’s Founders, Dan Zimmerman & Zach Snider talk about their Design Build Process and the advantage of fixed price contracts.

Click on an image to see full project.

Our Design Build Process

Every great project starts and finishes with a great client.

Fostering a wonderful experience for our clients is at the forefront of what we do. We value transparent and honest client relationships and foster open communication between clients, designers, and builders. This starts with our focus on listening to and learning from our clients.

We draw the best out of your home or work space with a functional and intentional aesthetic driving our design process and extraordinary attention to detail and craftsmanship in our construction process. 

Our magic formula is simple: a great partnership between an award-winning architect and an award-winning builder based on mutual respect and years of successful collaboration that drives a seamless design build process.

Alloy’s Founders, Dan Zimmerman & Zach Snider talk about their Design Build Process and the advantage of fixed price contracts.

The 3 Stages of the Design Build Process

1. DREAM

This is the high energy/high output portion of the process. Ideas are generated, turned upside down, and inside out until we are satisfied. Sketching, photographing, measuring, documenting, revising, and then crafting all of this information in to the first incarnations of your dream.

Dream Stage
 

Home Visit

  • Discover & understand your needs
  • Client Questionnaire

Office Visit

  • Proposal Review

Existing Conditions

  • Define Project Parameters
  • Measure Existing Property
  • Existing Conditions Drawings
  • Site Plan
  • Code & Zoning Research
  • Building Performance Assessment

Schematic Design

 

  • Create Initial Design Concepts, Scope of Work & Ballpark Estimate
  • Design & Review Floor Plans
  • Review Refined Floor Plan & 3D Model
  • Review Schematic Design Drawings & Budget Estimate

2. DEVELOP

Once the general scope of work is defined, we are ready to move forward with developing the specifics. This includes interior elevations, finishes, millwork, and details. We do this through conventional two-dimensional drawings, digital three-dimensional modeling, and an online project management application. We also meet with you to assist in the selection of materials, finishes, and fixtures.

Upon your approval of the construction documents, we develop the construction cost.

Development Stage

Design Development

  • Develop Bid Documents
  • Create Construction Documents
  • Create Material & Equipment Specifications
  • Incorporate Your Feedback
  • Refine Design & Issue to Construction Team

Construction Cost Development

  • Define Scope of Work, Schedule, and Cost
  • Site Visit by Construction Team & Trade Partners
  • Issue Bid Request to Trade Partners
  • Develop Labor Costs
  • Collect Bid Requests
  • Develop Project Schedule

Value Engineering

  • Identify Cost Saving Options
  • Develop Material Options
  • Develop Phasing Options

3. BUILD

There are hundreds of decisions to be made, items to consider, orders to process, schedules to coordinate, and surprise conditions to puzzle through. Our goal is to handle all of that for you.

Our processes are designed and our team is trained to minimize disruption and make your project as easy, clean, and enjoyable as possible. Open and frequent, communication is key, which is why we provide you access to our online project management platform. This lets you monitor your project from your computer or smartphone. 

Build Stage

Mobilization

  • Project Hand-Off and Debugging
  • On-Site Planning
  • Meet Crew
  • Establish Communication Channel
  • Pre-Order Materials

Demolition/Site Prep

  • Remove the Old
  • Protect Non-Work Areas
  • Install Dust Barriers
  • Save Items for Re-Use
  • Remove Old Finishes & Fixtures

Framing & Rough In

  • Make Room for the New
  • Build Structure to Define the Space
  • Install “Behind the Walls” Systems

Drywall, Trim & Paint

  • Install the New
  • Wall Finishes
  •  Tile
  •  Flooring
  • Cabinetry

Buff & Polish

  • Complete Project
  • Walk Through
  • 1-Year Warranty

Alloy’s Project Dashboard

Alloy Workshop | Design Build Charlottesville | Process | Coconstruct logo

CoConstruct is our online project management platform. It is the central nervous system of our production department. For each of our projects, we build a Specification Sheet, a Schedule, and a Budget in the online system. As an Alloy client, you have access to your project and can read specifications, make selections, track the budget, and monitor the schedule from your computer or smartphone.

Online project management systems are new to the residential construction industry and Alloy has been an early-adopter of this technology. We began using this system 2014 and now serve as product experts.

Alloy’s 3 Pillars:

Clients are the most important component of successful projects.

Design should be simultaneously beautiful, intentional, efficient, and practical.

Construction should make efficiency, expertise and quality its goal.

The Alloy Advantage:

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Clean Job Site

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Professional Crew

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Professional Trade Partners

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Open & Clear Communication

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Updated & Dynamic Schedule

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Fixed Price Contract

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1-Year Warranty

What Our Clients Say

What Our Clients Say

“We are very pleased with our experience working with Alloy. We were especially pleased with the ability to monitor the progress of our project online. We had piece of mind that the project was progressing as planned and we were able to ask questions and make changes and receive timely feedback.”