FAQ
Residential Projects
R.P. Valois understands the multiple concerns residential clients have about their project. Below are some of the most frequent questions we receive.
It depends on the size, scale and complexity of the home design.
A no-cost initial consultation, that takes into consideration your building site, the cost and quality of materials, and expectations will provide good preliminary estimates of both concerns.
Building site preparation is paramount in avoiding costly problems and achieving total project satisfaction. We’ll conduct a comprehensive site evaluation for conformance to codes and regulations and advise you on the best locations for siting your home and outdoor amenities.
We make sure all features function correctly and provide long-term service and support. New homes also receive a standard one-year warranty. Furthermore, we pride ourselves on having maintained ongoing relationships with clients for over thirty years. Please contact our office if you have an interest in the on-the-property management services we offer.
Yes, we do. Our unique custom builder and designer qualifications often enable us to adapt available home plans to accommodate alternate custom design ideas.
Most people underestimate the complexity, enormity and risk of building a new home. Incomplete plans, untested subcontractors, etc. will cost you more than any saving - not to mention the inherent stress and tension already associated with the building process.
The company has been in business since 1983, well over thirty-five years.
Yes! While we do specialize in new home construction, we will also take on projects that include additions, remodeling, and renovations. No job is too big, no project is too small! Whether you want to add on a new bedroom, expand an existing bathroom, or completely renovate your home, R.P. Valois can help you to achieve your goals and provide you with beautiful results. Please contact our office for a free evaluation.
This is a difficult question to answer as it will depend on several points that must be explicitly considered about your home. Remodeling and renovation are the best choices if you like your current home but want to make a few changes. This work can also be the best solution if you have an emotional attachment to your existing home. Another point to consider is if the home is in good physical condition to the point where it would be more affordable to remodel and renovate than to tear it down and rebuild. You should choose to build a new home if the cost of the required remodeling and renovation will be more than the resale value of the property.
As the focus of our first meeting is more of an introduction and opportunity to learn more about what you want, there is no charge for the meeting. Our goal is to get to know you, let you get to know us, figure out what your home needs, develop an initial budget, and discuss the feasibility of your project. A visit to your home can help us to get a better perspective on the situation and provide you with a more realistic budget and plan.
Absolutely, yes! R.P. Valois partners regularly with architects on our projects. We will work with you and your architect to ensure that we are covering all of the details that you want to be included in your new home.
Because each project we work on is unique, the only way to provide an accurate estimate of cost is to ask each client a series of questions. This will help us to determine a ballpark estimate of what it would cost to build your new home. Some questions include whether you want the cost of a garage and unfinished basement in the budget estimate. What about costs for excavation, lot clearing, running the utilities, well, and septic, obtaining all permits, engineering, and putting in a driveway? Do you want a simple layout or something more complex? Once we know what you want and what you expect to be completed in the project, we can provide you with a more accurate figure. Everything from the exterior of your home to the materials used, the type of windows, plumbing, flooring, unique features, and even the cabinetry will go into the final cost per square foot.
We are unable to complete a cost per square foot over the phone without discussing the details with you further. Please contact our team for an appointment so we can meet with you, review your ideas, and provide you with a more accurate estimate. Even if you don't decide to work with R.P. Valois for your project, it is worth going over these details to gain a better perspective of what you want.
When we provide you with a fixed contract price, that's precisely what you are receiving - a fixed contract price. If we complete your project exactly as it is written in the contract without any changes or alterations, this is exactly the amount that you will pay. We provide our clients with a clear and realistic budget.
It is important to note that nearly all custom home building projects will change due to upgrades and alterations made by the client. Budgets can fluctuate due to changes in the materials that are used. For example, if you decide to upgrade your kitchen part way through the project, increasing the budget from $38,000 for cabinetry to $42,000, you would pay the difference. However, if you make changes on the other end of the spectrum and get a deal on cabinetry with savings below the initial budget, you will receive a credit.
Other changes may not be as apparent, such as issues that may occur during the build requiring additional work. Change orders are widespread in the custom home building industry. While we take great care to create a very accurate estimate for the project, if changes are made on either side of the relationship, adjustments will need to be made. That being said, if you decide to make changes to the project, the sooner you notify our team, the better. It can usually save you both time and money.
It is essential to understand as much about the custom home building industry as possible so you will know what to expect. A fixed-price contract is where everything is fully fixed and determined before construction begins on your new home. What that means is that everything from the plans, specifications, materials, and finishing will be set before anything gets done. With a cost-plus contract, the budget takes all of the costs for the home and then adds a percentage of the costs or a flat fee for the management and overhead costs for the builder.
Depending on your situation, either a fixed-price or a cost-plus contract can be used. Our costs for the project and the price you pay can differ due to the risks associated with each type of contract, so it is important to choose carefully.
Advantages of a Fixed-Price Contract: The clear benefit to this type of contract is that the price you pay is fixed and set regardless of whether the materials or the labor costs go up or down. If the cost for the materials drops, or if the cost for labor decreases, the builder gets the best deal. However, if the cost of materials goes up or if the cost of labor increases, then you get the biggest benefit. In this type of contract, the builder assumes full responsibility for any risks associated with the cost of your project. Many homebuyers feel more comfortable with this type of arrangement and don't mind paying extra for the sense of security that comes with it.
Advantages of a Cost-Plus Contract: The homeowner pays the actual costs for all labor and materials, plus a builder's fee in this type of arrangement. The advantage comes when building a more substantial home where many things will change during the building process. The fee for overhead and management costs will either be a percentage of the overall cost or a flat fee, depending on the terms of your contract. Your initial cost estimate is an estimate, something that can and will likely change throughout the project. However, the homeowners will know exactly what their costs are in this type of contract on an ongoing basis due to updates from the builder.
Our goal is to work with the best interests of the homeowner in mind, as they will ultimately absorb the cost of changes and choices that are made. We have worked with both types of contracts. As a client, you need to know that we are working for you regardless of the type of contract. If you feel more comfortable with the security that comes from knowing exactly how much you are paying, then a fixed-price contract is best for you. However, if you understand the flexibility that is available with a cost-plus contract, it might be a smart choice.
We do! Contact our team for more information about all of the professional services we provide.
We work with a wide range of professional projects, but over the years we have earned a reputation for our work on custom homes, historic restoration, prominent commercial construction, and other one-of-a-kind projects. R.P. Valois is proud to have been awarded a Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist designation by the National Association of Home Builders, as well as being designated as a Graduate Builder, Green Professional, and Lead-Safe Renovation Contractor.
We do! This is an especially important service during the home design phase. Our team can help you with the selection of paint, fixtures, and materials, along with furnishings, window treatments, and more. Contact us for more information about all of the services we provide.
Yes! Browse our website to view some of the recent work that we have posted to our Projects page. Additionally, we can provide you with more examples of our work when we meet to discuss your needs and requirements.
Yes! Our team can provide you with multiple references to help you learn more about the work that we do. We are very proud to have such a large network of satisfied past clients who are willing to speak with prospective homeowners about our services.
We begin very early in the process of discussion to establish a very realistic budget. This will help you determine if you are comfortable with the costs before moving forward. We will work with you every step of the way to design a home that satisfies your dreams and your budget.
This is a two-part process. The first part concerns the completion of your architectural plans. This will depend greatly on the timely decisions that you can make, as well as your availability to meet with everyone involved in design meetings. Some decisions and meetings can be done via e-mail or over the phone to accommodate a busy schedule. However, we strongly recommend that you make yourself as available as possible during the architectural process. Good planning is essential, and getting the plans ready for permits can take from three to six months depending on how quickly everything comes together.
The second part of the process will depend upon the complexity of the design and the size of the finished project. Custom homes that range from 3,000 and 5,000 square feet can take between seven to ten months for construction. Larger homes (over 5,000 square feet) can take between ten to thirteen months or more for construction time. Of course, these times are estimates, and it can take longer or go faster, depending on weather, decision delays, backorder products, and materials, as well as the amount of detail that is added into the design. Our team will keep you updated throughout the entire process and tell you what to expect as we work through each phase of construction. Contact our team directly to discuss your timetable for designing and building a custom home.
Just call at 508-994-6506 and speak with one of our team members about your needs. We will schedule a time for an initial consultation. You can either come to our office, or we can come to your location to discuss your remodeling, renovation, or construction project in detail.
The more work we do together during the design phase of your custom home project, the less likely you will be to make changes during construction. However, if you do have something that needs to be changed, the sooner you can contact us, the better. It is reasonable for there to be a few changes throughout the process. We will let you know the cost of each alteration and will also tell you how the change will affect your timetable for completion. Every change that we do will require a signature to ensure that you are not surprised at the financial and schedule changes at the end of your custom home project.
While you might think that the architect should always come first, many homeowners find that working with a builder first can help to keep cost estimates and timetables under control. You don't want to waste months on designing a custom home only to find out that it will cost more than you want to invest in building. If this sounds familiar, contact our office, and we can help you either re-draw your plans or review the specifications to make it more budget-friendly.
Builders and architects both play important roles in the design and construction of a custom home. The more we can work together, the better the result will be. If you already have agreed-upon architect drawn plans and you need a builder, give us a call, and we will give you a fair and accurate price to build your home according to those plans. We will communicate directly with your architect to ensure that we fully understand the plans as they have drawn them. Give us a call today to start building your dream home.
When a homeowner works together with a professional architect and an experienced builder, it's very possible. It is important to find middle ground between all of the features, options, and specialty designs that you want and a custom home design that is within your budget. Bringing together the quality that you want in your new home with the size of home that you need, and a price that you can afford is what helps your dreams become a reality. You may need to make some adjustments to bring everything in line with your budget, but when you work with a team of experienced professionals, anything is possible.
Our team will work with you during the design phase of your custom home, creating an estimated budget for the entire project. Each item will be listed line-by-line with an accurate estimate of cost. In many projects, the builder will establish an "allowance" for items that cannot be purchased before construction such as the flooring, lighting, appliances, and cabinetry. It is important to work with our team to identify an allowance that will help you get the materials you want within your budget. Based on your needs, expectations, and budget, our team will establish allowances that will fit into the overall plan. If you don't feel that the allowance set aside for these items is adequate, we can either raise the budget or adjust the allowances for other parts of your new home.
In most situations, extra allowance items will put people over budget. They look great, seem to be exactly what you want, are just affordable enough that you think it won't make a difference, and they appeal to your interests. It is our goal to work with each client prior to building to ensure that we create a sensible budget with enough allowances to keep you as close to your budget as possible.
There are always things to consider when buying a lot, especially if the lot is on or near water. Zoning can sometimes have setbacks, and the DNR may have rules that you need to follow for building. To get approval for construction, we will also need to do soil testing and check suitability for things like septic systems. The overall topography of the lot also might not be suitable for the home that you want to build. For best results, contact R.P. Valois, and we will meet with you regarding your prospective lot purchase and help you make the best decision for your new home.
R.P. Valois is proud to have earned certification as a Green Builder. Our projects are built with energy efficiency in mind, providing you with reduced energy consumption, lower utility costs, and a healthier, more comfortable home. Some of the green building techniques used within the custom home building industry include the use of energy efficient equipment and appliances, sustainable site planning, and overall water efficiency.
We also utilize sustainable roofing and siding materials for low-maintenance and long-lasting durability. The use of sustainable products, including recycled, reclaimed, and low-VOC finishes can also be used. High efficiency LED lighting, enhanced indoor air quality, high-quality filters and fixtures are just some of the things we can do to support "green" construction in the design of your home.
In many situations, custom home building is where many of these "green" construction ideas get put to the test. As newer and better products, techniques, and ideas are developed, custom home builders are typically the first to implement the most valuable options for their clients. If you are interested in "green" construction and energy efficient design, please let our team know when you speak with us about the design of your new custom home.
The homes that we build reflect the wants, needs, and desires of our clients. While we do build large homes that are over 5,000 square feet, we also build smaller homes, based on our client's specifications. We work with each client as an individual, building the size, style, and design of the house that is best for them. So whether you want a very large home, an average size home, or something even smaller, contact our team so we can discuss your interests at length. Our goal is always to create the perfect home for you.
When it comes to custom home building, we can build in just about any architectural style you want. In the past, we have built traditional, farmhouse style, rustic, cottage, craftsman, and many types of contemporary and modern style homes. Contact R.P. Valois to discuss the style that you want for your new home. We will work with you to develop a project that suits both your interests and your needs. Inspiration is key to custom home building, so make sure to let us know more about your style and tastes as we create your plans.
A large majority of the homes we build each year are for clients outside the local area. We have worked with clients hundreds and thousands of miles away. Our home design and construction processes are straightforward, and we have a lot of experience working with busy clients. Some of our meetings can be conducted over the phone or via email. While we would like to meet with you in person to get the process started, we can certainly make accommodations throughout the project. R.P. Valois has many years of experience working with clients from all over the world. Our goal is to meet your needs and build the perfect home for you, providing top quality customer service and value.
Do You Have Any Questions?
Call us at (508) 994-6506 or get in touch with us using the contact form