Our Process

It starts with your dream. You may be able to draw it in great detail or you may not even be able to put it into words. Either way, it is important that we spend time together understanding the concept and vision, so that Banks Development Co. (BDC) can be your partner in creating a beautiful home.

If you do not have a property to build on, we can help. Whether it's by pointing you in the right general direction or introducing you to a savvy realtor or a specific seller, we'd be happy to help get you started.

Specifications are a written description of what will be created. Along with the construction plans, the specifications form the blue print of your home.

We can work with highly detailed, exacting specifications or we can help you to create a degree of detail that fits your comfort level. We enjoy participating (if asked) in the design process.

It is important to work with an architect who fits your needs and requirements. Some of our clients come to us through an architect and others come to us directly. We would be happy to refer you to a firm based on your specific needs. We always encourage collaboration among the entire building team. If we are involved from the start of design, we can help build value by lending our experience to every phase of the process.

If you already have plans, we can help 'Value Engineer' the project. In other words, once you have a design, we'll help with a detailed review of the designs and drawings, with an experienced perspective on materials, costs and timing. This is what we refer to as Value Engineering. It can also be called 'Surprise Mitigation' because it helps avoid cost and timing surprises later in the project. It also helps you get the most out of your investment.

When the plans and specifications are finalized, we undertake a formal costing phase, which generates firm estimates. We'll review and discuss the costs in detail, as they form the basis for your financing and our formal agreement. We have an open book policy which is entirely transparent. We are proud of our record of bringing projects in on budget. General Contracting Fees are usually defined in one of two ways:

1. Cost plus a fixed fee: All Building Construction Costs plus an agreed upon fee (usually a Percentage).
2. Cost plus a fee with a maximum price: We can work with you to achieve your total desired costs.

At this point, we enter into a formal agreement. We like to use the standard American Institute of Architects (AIA) contract. This contract defines and protects the rights and obligations of all parties involved.

Prior to construction we will provide a schedule of events which will layout the entire timeline of the project. Additionally, we will provide you with a homeowner selection schedule so that we can order/purchase certain materials in a timely manner. We will push you to make decisions as needed!

BDC will strive to exceed your expectations from the permitting stage to the last stroke of paint. We pride ourselves on professionally run projects, with orderly, clean and safe job sites. We employ the best people and subcontractors available, and don't hesitate to hire specialty craftsmen to bring special details to life, no matter how far we have to go to find them. We find that people perform their best work when they look at a project as an artistic endeavor.

Sometimes it is difficult for owners to visualize certain details from a set of plans. We encourage owners to visit the project and get a feel for their new or renovated home regularly. Building is an interesting process and we like to have you involved in it.

Our goal is to have the Certificate of Occupancy and have you move in on schedule, hassle-free. Some builders pride themselves on responding to minor issues after occupancy (often called punch lists); at BDC our goal is to not have punch lists.

Upon move-in, BDC will provide you with a detailed homeowner's manual. This manual will be your one stop reference for all operation, maintenance, and warranty issues for all the systems and features of your new home.