Our Process
Here at Stonewood, LLC we’ve built our processes around simplicity, transparency, and common sense.
We price our homes on a cost-plus-fee basis, fully disclosed to our clients. We competitively bid every aspect of our projects with time-tested contractors that have proven their quality and expertise. Many have worked for us for nearly 30 years. We operate on a fully open-book basis – all bids and invoices are open to client review. We bill monthly for work done, materials delivered or invoiced to us, and as our vendors require. We’re paid as work is completed. We manage payments & lien releases through a 3rd party title company. Your payments are disbursed directly to those that have invoiced and done the work.
We employ a forward-thinking application of technology – we’ve developed an online system that allows every member of the team to access project information, 24-7. Plans, specifications, budgets, finish selections, change orders, schedules, and all project communication are accessible to the entire team at any time.
We don’t ask our clients to sign a construction contract until we have a final home design, material selections, and a budget that meets our client’s expectations.
Sven works with all of Stonewood’s clients from the inception of their project – assisting in architect interviews, aiding in the selection of a building site, and overseeing the project throughout construction.
The Five Stages
Stages of Success
We have refined and defined our processes, and continue to scrutinize every step we take, every day.
Stages of Success
We have refined and defined our processes, and continue to scrutinize every step we take, every day.
1: Selection of an Architect
We assist our clients in interviewing several local architects that we feel are the best in the business. While we’ll work with whoever you feel is the best fit for your project, there are several architects with whom we’ve developed trust & strong relationships. We’ll help you interview architects to determine who is the best fit for your project. Sven is involved in the interviews with architects and in all design meetings to help keep your project on track and on budget.
We’ve found that the selection of the architect generally comes down to three factors:
- Design aesthetic/portfolio of past projects. While the architects we recommend are able to conform to any particular architectural style, it’ll be clear after looking at their portfolio that they have a passion & skill within a specific field.
- Fee structure – fees are based on the project’s scope and vary, to a degree, based on the chosen architect.
- The architect’s rapport/personality. Clients often comment that the chosen architect “seemed to get it” or “understood how we live.”
Once the architect is selected, our clients contract directly with the architect – keeping you in control of the process and in ownership of the work that is done.
2: Design Development
a: DESIGN SCHEDULE
Once the design is underway we’ll meet every couple of weeks to review and discuss the design of your home. Typically, the design will take 3-4 months but this process can be drawn out over as many months as you have available. We encourage our clients to begin design early and spend plenty of time in between design meetings to consider the concepts – to “live in the design”.
b: DESIGN PREPARATION
Contemporary, cottage, craftsman, French provincial – these terms may mean different things to you than to your architect. The best way to communicate is with photographs. We encourage you to create a collection of photos that appeal to you. Organize it by room – exterior, kitchen, master bathroom, etc… The more prepared and organized you are, the better your architect will understand your goals for your new home. Create a wishlist, room by room. Include features, your plans for using the room, special pieces of furniture you intend to bring, and anything else that will help the team understand your vision.
c: CONCEPTUAL DESIGN
These hand-drawn, artistic translations are fun to look at and even more, fun to play with. They capture the initial statement of a lifestyle quickly and inexpensively. Every architect has their own process, but most will present hand-drawn, loose concepts at the first design review.
d: PRELIMINARY BUDGET
At this early stage, it’s too early to solicit actual bids from subcontractors. Instead, we’ll target the budget by identifying an expected cost per square foot. We’ll determine this cost based on our experience and our conversations regarding your home’s amenities, finishes & features.
e: DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
After perfecting the conceptual design, the architect will proceed with CAD drawings. The design will proceed to a set of drawings that can be bid by subcontractors – the ‘bid set’. Once we reach this point, we’ll pause the design process to prepare a formal budget to make sure we’re on track with your budget expectations.
3: Interior Design & Detailing
a: REFINING THE DRAWINGS
At this level, the concept sketches go to a Computer-Aided Design (CAD) system in the next step toward final, refined construction blueprints. We also draw a front elevation to see how the home will look on the exterior, as well as a floor plan for each floor.
b: LISTENING TO CRAFTSMAN
While most builders wait for final plans, we have subcontractors review plans early on in the process to provide an early opinion. It gives mechanics and carpenters an early look at the feasibility of the design to identify challenges or better ways to achieve the desired results.
c: MANAGING YOUR BUDGET
We competitively bid every aspect of the budget. We enlist the best contractors available, competing against peers. Bidding keeps them on track and competitive. We take our fiduciary responsibility for our clients’ funds very seriously and ensure the entire project is cost-effective.
d: FINE TUNING SELECTIONS
The Selection/Design Process is a detailed yet fun time during the home building experience. Our clients begin working with the Interior Design team immediately following the budget review. Selections include interior and exterior materials and finishes, lighting, furniture, window coverings, paint colors, and more. There are so many elements that go into our homes and we pride ourselves on working with designers that can successfully manage the process while also making it fun for our clients!
4: Budget Review
Stonewood, LLC is known for exceptionally detailed specifications and budgets. Once we’ve developed the Bid Set of drawings, we’ll develop specifications for the project – a description of the finishing of the home that is not yet included in the drawings. We’ll compile the drawings and the specifications to solicit competitive bids for every aspect of your project. With preliminary bids returned from contractors, our clients have an early look at real pricing and can go forward confident about the cost of the project. At this stage of design, we’re able to make changes to the design without significant expense. Once we’ve refined the preliminary budget, the architect will begin the working drawings. This stage of design typically takes 1-3 months, depending on the size and design of the home. While this final design work is being done, we’ll work on interior design and materials selections. Once the working drawings are complete and your selections have been finalized, we’ll repeat the budgeting process. The final budget will be based upon your final plans & selections. Our final budget will largely be composed of firm bids – all from competitive bidders. Stonewood is known for our comprehensive budgeting & accuracy. Our competitive process delivers a lower cost per square foot than our competitors and can save hundreds of thousands of dollars for our clients.
5: Construction Management
a: QUALITY ASSURANCE
Throughout the project, we oversee the quality assurance of your home every step of the way. Our project managers pride themselves on keeping an open line of communication throughout the process with not only subcontractors but also the homeowners, keeping them informed and answering any questions that may arise.
b: PERFORMANCE TESTING
Well-developed building practices are only the first step in building a quality home. No matter how well a project is managed, things can slip through the cracks. To minimize this, we performance test all of our homes throughout construction to verify that procedures have been followed and the details have been attended to.
c: WALKTHROUGHS AND OCCUPANCY
The project manager will perform several walkthroughs prior to occupancy marking concerns that need to be addressed prior to moving in- we call this the “Punch List”. A final walkthrough is then conducted with the clients to make sure the home is as close to perfect as man and nature can provide. We follow this with a white glove cleaning before we welcome you into your new home.
d: AFTER COMPLETION
As a new home settles over the first year, along with daily use of fixtures and finishes, concerns can arise. We provide our clients with extensive warranty coverage on the workmanship and material quality. To ensure the quality of your new home, we will provide a thorough inspection at 1 year, addressing any issues our clients may have.
Stonewood, LLC – Your Handcrafted Custom Home Builder
Stonewood, LLC has spent years developing its processes. The refined result is an amalgam of state-of-the-art technology and old-fashioned know-how. We pride ourselves on transparency, communication, and uncompromising listening skills. When you are ready to discuss your new home build plans and aspirations, we are here for you with several ways to connect, please visit our Contact Page to begin your new home journey with Stonewood, LLC.
Contact Us
Schedule a Consult to begin your journey from inspiration to reality. As a custom home builder, we understand the process intimately and will successfully guide your project from start to finish. It all begins with, “hello.”
About Us
Learn of Our History. We have been a Minnesota builder for generations. Experience is a strong suit of ours.
Process
Understand our Approach. We believe that transparency is the foundation for building a successful relationship.
Portfolio
Explore and Discover. We have built countless homes around the lakes area and throughout our greater metropolitan area. Take a few moments to browse.
Stories
Our Blog. From client experience to latest projects to Award-Winning completed homes, you will find plenty of interesting reads here.
Renovations
Revision, LLC is the Renovation and Remodeling division of Stonewood. A team focused on additions, and whole home remodels. Same great philosophies, experience, and processes with the focus on updating your existing spaces.
