Our Process

Our process is detailed by design, so that our clients are fully tuned-in to what they can expect week by week before and after their project begins.

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This Is Our Trusted Process

Starting from the first time we get a call from you, we ask lots of questions including your location and a bit of background about your project. We ask if we can come out to meet with you to discuss your goals and to learn where you are in your decision making. We’ll take a detailed look to see what you’d like to do and mentally begin to design the area. We look deep … to determine if anything needs to be upgraded to code. This initial consultation usually is approximately 30 minutes (for a bathroom remodel) or 45 minutes to an hour (for a kitchen remodel). However, we’ll answer all your questions no matter how much time you need!
We’ve learned that most people know what they want – what they want to remodel or renovate, the style of cabinets and countertops, so we listen to get a better understanding of their taste, timing requirements, and budget.

OUR PROCESS

Research First

We recommend that you do some research in the early days and we will give a Materials Selection list form that details everything that you may want to include in your project – floor tile, light fixtures, backsplash, faucets – along with internet links to various suppliers you can check out. Many of our clients want to purchase directly from the vendors they have selected … and that is fine. Others don’t want to be bothered. They will make decisions, let us know and we’ll take it from there! This initial consultation usually takes about 30 minutes (for a bathroom remodel) or 45 minutes to an hour (for a kitchen remodel). However, we’ll answer all your questions no matter how much time you need!

OUR PROPOSAL

Our proposal is not like the others

The next step is for us to take our notes and craft a proposal for your review. No matter what the scope of your project, your proposal will be detailed and will include construction costs and material allowances, based on an item-by-item list of materials, rather than a lump sum, as is the practice of some other construction firms. In this way, you can make more educated decisions when selecting the materials you want. (We do NO LOW-BALLING just to get the job!)

We’ll give you some time to review our proposal and then we’ll follow up with an email to see if you have any questions. We’ll call you or set up a time to visit to discuss the proposal with you if you’d like.

Let’s get started!

If you decide you’d like to proceed with A.W. Puma Remodeling & Restoration, we’ll set up an in-person meeting to go through start and end dates. We will present you with a folder that has a Project Timeline, the original Proposal and an Agreement (MA Home Improvement Contract), and a copy of our Materials and Suppliers List. We’ll go over all materials and answer any questions you may have.

We’ll advise you on which materials we will need first so that you can begin to make decisions on key items. For instance, cabinets and flooring come first … before countertops. A.W. Puma will handle all necessary permitting. We do not ask you, our client, to do it. Note that unlicensed contractors are not allowed to pull permits for construction work.

What needs to happen first?

In addition to all this, we go over your responsibilities as the owner and client. We need to know how to access your home while you may be working or out-of-town. We can set up a lock box with a code that only you, A.W. Puma, and our sub-contractors can use.

If you are working from home, we’ll talk about how we can coordinate with you for the least disruption of your day. Pets? You’ll want to make arrangements for them, so they are not stressed or able to get out during times when workers are coming and going.

We’ll explain about your responsibilities to empty out cabinets. We’ll help you with obtaining a dumpster or temporary storage if needed.

All your notes can go into your A.W. Puma folder. You’ll have all the information you need all in one place.

What we hear about our process from clients

Our clients tell us time and again that they appreciate how we stay in touch with them during the entire project. You will know what is going to happen and what to expect each week. After we do any necessary demolition, we come in and discuss with you anything unexpected that we discovered. We’ll talk with you about anything you’ve decided you’d like to add to the project. You have the opportunity to make changes to the original plan during these conversations.

Changes to the plan

Plumbing? Do you want to add a water line for the refrigerator? Any changes to the layout for the cabinets? We’ll confirm your original decisions … just to make sure you are still on-board with them.

While it seems like a lot to talk about, this getting-started meeting takes about an hour and is chock filled with information you can add to your A.W. Puma folder!

Communication by app too!

In a world where technology can be an excellent way to stay in the loop, A.W. Puma has an app which includes a to-do “punch list” of what needs to be touched up – grout, hardware, or other finetuning that is a central messaging device between A.W. Puma, our crew, and you, our client. You’ll have access to a portal where you can view construction notes and this to-do list. There is even a chat feature!

Final inspections

When the project is done, we arrange for all final inspections and we make sure that the project area is completely cleaned and ready for living.

But we are not finished until we follow up with you to ask how everything is functioning and how you are enjoying your new space.

At A.W. Puma, we are not happy unless we’ve exceeded your expectations.

Remodeling Awards and Certifications

Our team of craftsmen include carpenters, electricians, plumbers, architects, and engineers. Each A.W. Puma project is unique and requires the expertise of various specialties. When a specific skill is needed, we call upon our network of professionals to attain the services called for.