The process
A clear path,
start to finish.
Every WS Builders job runs through the same five steps, and the same person runs all of them. Here is what happens at each one, and what you will have in hand when it is done.
Design is coordinated with local architects and engineers. Permits, construction and the final inspection are ours.
Five steps
Five steps,
one contract.
Site walk and feasibility
Your goals, your budget and a close look at the lot: setbacks, slope, access, utilities and zoning. You leave with a realistic range.
Design and planning
Layouts worked out with local designers and engineers, checked against structure, code and the house you already have, before permit drawings begin.
Permits
The full permit set, plan check comments and revisions, carried through until the permit is issued.
Construction
Foundation, framing, mechanical, electrical and plumbing, insulation, drywall and finishes, with inspections at every stage and the site protected throughout.
Walkthrough and handover
Final inspections, the punch list and a check of every system, then the keys and the completion documents.
Open books
What the
estimate covers.
Estimates are built from a defined scope, named materials and the conditions we found on the site walk. Allowances are listed as allowances.
Costs change for three reasons: a design revision, a condition nobody could see until the wall was open, or a permit requirement. When one of those happens, it is written up, priced and signed off with you before the work continues.
If a number cannot be known yet, we say so, and we tell you when it can.
Before you start
Before you start.
How do you handle estimates and hidden costs?
Estimates are based on a defined scope, materials and site conditions. Costs can change with design revisions, unforeseen site conditions or permit requirements, and when they do we identify and document them with you before moving forward.
How long does a major renovation or whole-house remodel take?
Typically several months, depending on size, design scope and permit timelines. Structural changes, inspections and material availability all affect the schedule, and you get a detailed timeline before work starts.
What does it take to build an ADU in Scotts Valley?
Your project has to meet local zoning, setbacks, size limits and permit requirements, plus account for utilities, access and parking. State ADU law adds flexibility, but each project still has to meet city-specific development standards. We check all of it during the feasibility review.
What is the difference between a general contractor and a design-build firm?
A general contractor builds from completed designs. A design-build firm handles design and construction under one contract, which gives you a single point of coordination for design decisions, timelines and budget.
Start a project
Start with a
site walk.
Tell us where the property is and what you are hoping to build. We will tell you what the lot allows, what it will take, and what we would do first.