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Our Philosophy
At Maryland Heritage, it is our desire to educate our clients, not only during the construction phase, but during all phases leading up to a signed contract. We hope to alter age-old misconceptions and set new standards for our industry concerning not only workmanship, but communication and customer relations. This education begins with a dismissal of some poorly used terminology. We don’t like to “bid” work. This infers that the most important factor is price. There is often a separation between what the client thinks a job will cost and what it actually may. Too often this difference is presented as a “…oh, by the way” charge from a less reputable, experienced and professional contractor. We take into consideration all factors, from location and size of current utilities to job site conditions, age of house, structural challenges and of course special needs or desires of the client. We try not to use the word “cost” too often. Again, this infers that price is the most important factor. Your new home or home renovation project is an investment, not only in money but in time, for both you and the contractor, and should add positive value to lives as well as financial portfolios. During the initial contact, Maryland Heritage will ask you if you have a budget in mind. It’s important to ensure that we are on the same page and that any misconceptions are met and dealt with up front. Our proposals are derived from accurate construction drawings, product selections and other pertinent information. The key elements that we use to build your number are based on the following information:
Note: Overhead and Profit figures for both home building companies and remodeling companies are public knowledge and are available through NAHB through The Cost of Doing Business Surveys. Our preliminary estimate is based on in-house historical data along with some subsidizing from readily available cost estimate periodicals (available to the public). Our 5% proposals are based on more accurately defined in-house historical data, information from cost estimate periodicals, contact with other non-competing contractors, contact with pertinent trade contractors (often through site visits or review of conceptual drawings) and contact with vendors obtaining quotes for product and material selections. When we make the initial contact with one another you may already have done your “homework” and have weeded-out the other contractors. We don’t pretend to compete against fellow professional contractors. Maryland Heritage sets the standards high and continually works towards raising the bar. Perhaps you are still in the “interview” process when we first converse, but after the initial site visit, it is our desire that you will be confident in what Maryland Heritage is prepared to offer in the way of craftsmanship, business processes, design services, customer relations and added value to your home and life. |