First in a series of posts from Archadeck of Nashville about the ways “Our Process” benefits our clients.
When you work with Archadeck of Nashville, we give you our undivided attention. As your premier porch, deck and patio builder in the Nashville area, we will spend time to make sure we understand your needs. Once in a while, a client will be surprised to learn we ask for a retainer prior to performing in-depth design work. To put it simply, with a design retainer you get our design expertise, our time and resources and our full attention.
It’s Not Just Any Deck, It’s Your Deck (and paver patio, and outdoor kitchen, etc.)
When we design and build your outdoor living space, your project will be unique. We don’t build “one-size-fits-all” decks, porches or patios. We custom design your project specifically to address your needs. We also take care to ensure your new outdoor living structure blends with your home and doesn’t look like an afterthought.
Increasingly, homeowners are contacting us for more than a simple porch, deck or patio. What many of today’s clients have in mind are the more complex projects we call combination projects or deluxe outdoor living space combinations. As you can imagine, it takes more time to design these larger, more complex projects. In some cases, we need to consult with an engineer at Archadeck’s corporate headquarters. Having architects and engineers to consult when needed is a valuable resource you will not get with other local deck and porch builders.
Our initial design consultation is free. During that meeting, we get to know each other. We talk about what kind of structure(s) you want to add to your home. We’ll explain our process, answer your questions and talk about “the Archadeck difference.” You can take this time to form your impressions of what it will be like to work with us. Based on this initial conversation, you can decide whether you want to proceed to the next step, actually designing the project. That’s when we’ll require a retainer in order to continue.
Read more: Why Choose Archadeck of Nashville for Your Outdoor Living Project?
What Do You Get with a Retainer? Value – Lots of Value!
It’s hard to put a price on our design expertise, but we can’t give it away free of charge. Your retainer amount will vary depending on the scope of the project. For example, on a deck project the retainer might be $250 and on a porch project it might be $500. On a deluxe project with more than one structure, the retainer will be higher. Additional considerations may include easement reviews and plot plan discoveries. Every project presents different design challenges, and we factor those into the retainer amount.
Your Archadeck of Nashville design consultant will pour hours into designing a complex project. Not only do we spend time creating the design, we allocate time for a process we call the needs assessment. We need to know as much as possible about how you want to use your outdoor living space. What are your needs for the space? Will you host large gatherings? Will you need a shaded area? The more we know about what you expect from your deck, porch, patio or deluxe combination project, the better. Only by understanding your expectations can we meet them—and exceed them.
The best way to show you the project design is with 3-D renderings. You’ll have the opportunity to examine the renderings and ask as many questions as possible. If you want to make design changes, we’ll come back with another set of renderings.
Read more: With An Archadeck Of Nashville Design — You Know What You’re Going To Get — Down To Every Detail!
You can see why we need to charge a retainer in order to design your project. We are thorough. You receive our extensive design expertise and an opportunity to review your custom design as a 3D rendering prepared by a skilled draftsman.
Once you realize the time, attention and resources that go into custom-designing our outdoor living projects, you’ll see the value a design retainer brings you. The retainer helps us focus on the design aspect of your project as if you are our only client. You’ll have the full attention of our team and receive personal service to ensure your project is unique to your needs, desires, home and property. Other builders just don’t offer the kind of one-on-one service we do.
All of this activity takes place before you make a final decision to work with Archadeck on your project. We won’t ask you to sign a contract until we have worked out the details and made sure everyone is on the same page. While some builders might break ground based on assumptions, we will not. Based on the design, including your choices of materials, we will be able to give you an exact quote for the cost of building your project. Should you decide to have Archadeck of Nashville build your new outdoor living structure(s), we will deduct your retainer amount from the cost of your project.
Let Archadeck of Nashville design and build that amazing outdoor living space you have always dreamed of. Contact us today to learn more by calling us at (615) 547-2333, or send us an email at nashville@archadeck.net.
