Understanding your lifestyle is the most important aspect of our design process; and during our initial meeting we like to learn more about you. Listening to your requirements with regards to space, functionality, aesthetic, and budget informs and directs our initial brush strokes. By placing your goals and ideas within a flexible, preliminary plan we identify and highlight the most important aspects of your project.
The consultation is relaxed, organized, and efficient. It allows us the opportunity to channel expectations and goals into the Merten Proposal.
The Merten Proposal aligns our combined expectations and goals into a preliminary scope of work, which includes: estimated timeline, method of construction, and budget.
a. Timeline
Depending on complexity and scale of project, Merten will present a carefully prepared timeline to design, build, and complete your project.
b. Method of Construction
There are many Green Building materials and technologies available today; and it is very common for Merten to present you with options. For example, different wall systems, insulation, and window selection can have a profound effect on building performance, aesthetic, and cost. Moreover, installing a variety of different products under one roof is very typical. (For example, when insulating a home, we frequently include these different products: insulated concrete forms, spray-in soy-based insulation, and SIP's.) Based on your goals and budget, Merten will assemble a balanced, client-specific construction program.
c. Budget
Merten is knowledgeable and precise with material, labor, and permitting costs. We spend a significant amount of our time preparing the estimate. If applicable, Merten will also inform you of any local, state, or national incentives for energy-efficient building materials and/or building technologies.
Upon execution of the proposal, Merten will transform and refine the preliminary plan into a schematic design, including: sketches, floor plans and, if applicable, renderings. Systems and technology requirements will also be discussed and, if appropriate, third party suppliers will be introduced. The design stage is especially crucial with regards to items such as passive-solar orientation, HVAC selections, radiant heating, and others because retrofitting these complex (and oftentimes, site-specific) technologies and design standards can become cost-prohibitive, counter-productive, or even impractical.
Iterations are part of the process, and by listening in and weighing options with budget, we are able to channel our collective goals into something creative, functional, and tangible. Merten also has a design library that you may access for inspiration, general overview, and ongoing conversation points. Plus, if during your daily travels you come across a home, architectural detail, building system, or website or blog that catches your eye -- snap a photo…send a link…or give us a call. We are a research-driven company, and thrive on outside ideas.
Green Building is a win : win : win. It’s good for you. It’s good for us. And it’s good for our environment. We want you to receive the most green for your green. Whether we collectively choose a light, medium, or dark green building program, our commitment is to provide you with the most sensible, innovative, and energy-efficient designs.
We will be in constant communication throughout the construction process, and we will update you with bimonthly, written progress reports upon request. Our knowledge of county and city building codes; the breadth and depth of our subcontractor base; and our overall passion and expertise with all aspects of the construction process gives us an edge when it comes to managing your project.
As completion nears, we will walk you through all aspects of the completed project.
This is a very important part of the process. It gives us both the opportunity to evaluate the overall success of your project. Moreover, we like to keep you informed of company milestones, new green building materials and technologies, and any relevant news and information which we feel might be of interest to you.
