About Dominion Preservation

Dominion Preservation operates as a traditional custom builder and remodeler in the sense that we typically work with the Owner and their design professional as the builder component of the Owner-Architect-Builder team.  If desired, we can also provide design services, either in-house or by teaming with a design professional, to perform a project in a design-build capacity.  Here’s how our process works:

Project Discovery

After initial contact by the Owner, a preliminary meeting is scheduled at the Owner’s home or place of business to discuss the project parameters.  The goal of this initial meeting  is to learn more about the Owner’s objectives and desires in designing and building their project and to determine the scope of design services needed, if any.  If the Owner already has a design professional or design in place, then we would move forward to the preliminary budgeting phase.  If design services are needed, then Dominion Preservation can suggest appropriate Architects or Designers with whom we’ve worked with in the past and ones which we feel would be a good fit for the Owner based on the project parameters and complexities.  The initial project discovery meeting is offered at no cost and no obligation.

Project Design & Budgeting

Once a conceptual design is established, Dominion Preservation moves forward into the preliminary project budgeting phase of the process.  If the design is developed to the construction document stage, we can provide a detailed construction estimate and proposal.  One round of either preliminary or construction estimating is provided at no cost and no obligation.  After this initial round of estimating is completed, should the budget be satisfactory & the Owner wish to proceed with finalized pricing, budgeting, drawings and specifications, a Preconstruction Services Agreement is executed.  This agreement is set in place to list a detailed scope of services to be provided prior to execution of a formal Construction Contract.  Assuming that a Construction Contract is put in place, these Preconstruction Services are provided as part of our scope of work.

Final Design, Budgeting & Permitting

During this phase, the project design is finalized and the final budget is established.  Once these items are set in place, the Construction Contract is executed and the building permit application is submitted.  Depending on the type and complexity of the project and the jurisdiction, the building permit generally can take between 1 day to 3 weeks to obtain.

Pre-Construction & Construction

Once the permit application is submitted, the project team will set up a Preconstruction Meeting with the Owners to review various Owner and Contractor action items as well as discuss project setup and mobilization issues.  Project safety, security, scheduling and clean-up items are also discussed and expectations from both parties are set.  This kick-off meeting is essential in establishing and maintaining the open lines of communication that are paramount to the successful execution of any project.  When the permit is obtained and a notice to proceed is given by the Owner, the project start date, substantial completion date and final completion dates are set.  Then the fun begins and Dominion Preservation moves towards bringing the Owner’s dreams to realization.

Post-Construction

When substantial completion is achieved, the punchlist is completed to everyone’s satisfaction and the final professional cleanup is performed, the project is deemed to be at final completion and the post-construction and warranty phase begins.  By law, any contractor must provide a 1-year warranty on materials and workmanship.  Dominion Preservation doubles that warranty period and provides a 2-year warranty on each of our projects.  And just because the warranty period may have expired, Dominion Preservation will always be there for each of our clients whenever they need our help.