Frequently Asked Questions

Why do many of our customers choose OPB as their General Contractor?
  • We are responsive, reliable, respectful and knowledgeable
  • We deliver a comprehensive design plan appropriate for full and complete remodeling projects
  • We set clear expectations for ourselves and communicate them to you
  • We take the time necessary to educate and explain the materials choices you want
How do you price jobs?
Short answer, through focused effort. Longer answer is that we take the time necessary to clearly define and design what you want for your project. This is accomplished with increasing accuracy when we take the time to break the project down into “bite-size” chunks throughout the Design Process. Oftentimes, one decision will domino into another decision either from a design perspective or an install perspective. While discussing these decisions everyone becomes increasingly clear on the deliverables for the project. This process is similar for most types of projects.  Learn more about our team and our process > About Us
Fixed pricing vs other methods?

We utilize fixed price contracts, also called lump sum pricing, this method ensures that the price you sign on the contract is the price you pay for the work that we define and clarify during the Design Process. Naturally, there are other pricing models that you may be familiar with but we deliver a fair price for the job that will not change for our clients unless the scope of work or material selections are changed.

At what point in the Design Process will we know the price?
We provide a target budget range after the In Person Consultation and before you sign the Design Agreement. The range is not normally an acceptable range to make an actual decision to move forward into a Construction Contract but it does provide insight and overview for the items that are included in the cost range. Phase II of the Design Agreement is where most decisions are made, at the end of Phase II we can clearly tell you which items need additional clarification and what the cost is at that point. This process is similar for most types of projects. Learn more about our team and our process > About Us
How do we know we are getting a fair price for the project we want?

This question normally presents itself in multiple ways and we answer it the same way every time. Once we clearly define and design the project that you want, we can clearly define the costs.

We aim to provide a fair price for the work we are performing and you deserve a clear understanding of what you are buying. No one wants to over pay for their project and we work hard to keep our reputation of not overcharging our clients. Changes in cost/budget normally happen when the project details are not clear. Taking the time to go through the Design Process affords us all the opportunity to define the project details.

System vs Process
  • Systems as defined by Merriam Webster: a regularly interacting or interdependent group of items forming a unified whole
  • Process as defined by Merriam Webster: a series of actions that produce something or that lead to a particular result
  • We use our systems to define your project while we rely on our processes to document and clarify the details for your project
  • Custom remodeling projects are created from ideas and those ideas are formalized by careful consideration and conversation. We take the time to define your ideas so that we can deliver the project that you want
Utilizing technology
  • Technology, specifically in construction, has come a long way in the last 20 years.
  • In 1999 Brian was working on a house framing crew with a new pager
  • Today, material orders are processed with the click of a mouse and payment is confirmed with a 2FA
  • Delivery drivers have an overhead map view of the property and turn by turn instructions with their built in GPS inside the truck or smartphone. This is a far cry from printed map quest directions not so long ago.
  • We utilize cloud-based communication for many business functions from client schedule to on-site communication
  • We are consistently leveraging new technologies with proven business practices to provide our clients with information for their project in a format they already use in their daily lives
  • Not everything is handled with tech and there won’t be any robots working in your home – yet 🙂
Common misconceptions in remodeling

Everything you have heard or learned about remodeling from other people is 100% applicable for this project

  • I researched online and I know exactly what the cost is for this project
  • My parents remodeled both bathrooms in the home that I grew up in for 10k, 10 years ago
  • Our neighbor built his fence with free pallet wood
  • I know a guy who would do it – “this way or that way”
  • In my last house we did ______ therefore, this project should be exactly the same

Blind trust is a good move when you don’t know what you want yet

  • Anyone who does remodeling will do it the way it works in my head, therefor, all contractors are alike
  • Since I don’t know how to do this, I’m just going to hire someone and let them figure it out
  • They have a truck and a website, so I assumed they were a professional
  • I don’t need to see proof of insurance, the salesperson said they are licensed bonded and insured
  • I don’t need to be involved in the process for making decisions, I know they will take care of it
  • I don’t care about all the details, I’m selling the house soon
  • I don’t care about all the details, I’m just interested in the lowest price
  • I’m too busy to arrange my work schedule to meet with anyone, I’m sure it will work out exactly the way I want it without much of my involvement

I already basically know what I want so I don’t need a formal Design

  • This can be a bit tricky but the bottom line is, there is either a design or there isn’t.
  • A complete Design has all the details for all the materials being installed; sku numbers, lead times, color variations, shipping/tax/assembly factored into the cost, orientation in the space, temporary storage accounted for, installation details, etc.
  • A complete Design should encompass a construction timeline and/or schedule of events
  • A completed Design will allow for Ohio Property Brothers to begin working on the project with the necessary materials on a predetermined date. Without these details, the design is incomplete.
  • Design only companies exist, as do architects and engineering firms. Those companies are normally explicitly clear that they are not providing the construction or cost of construction for your project.

 

What to expect and when
  • However you have found us, you will likely reach out by phone, email or submit your contact information on our website. The next step is for us to discuss your project in more detail and discover the next logical steps. This is accomplished during a 20min introductory phone call.
  • After our phone call, typically the next logical step is for us to come over to your home and discuss the project in more detail. This is accomplished with our in-person consultation, which normally ranges from $100 – $500 depending on the amount of information we need to gather.
  • Once we have gathered the necessary information for the areas that you want us to remodel we compile this information in the form of a Design Agreement which is specific to your project only. This typically takes us 1-3 days
  • Next, we bring the Design Agreement to review with you. This will have all the high-level details and cost range for the project as we understand it. If no revisions are necessary, we will discuss scheduling and you will sign the Design Agreement.
  • Phase I of the Design Agreement: When we are ready to work on your Design, our Designer  will come back to the home and take more detailed field measurements to prepare us with the necessary information to order the materials selected during the Design process.
  • Phase II of the Design Agreement: We will visit multiple specialty showrooms and start identifying the materials that you will want us to install. We call these field trips! Oftentimes our clients come on field trips with us but we are happy to shop for you and bring options to your house for review and approval.  Based on what you select we are working behind the scenes to create the scope of work directives that will allow for installation and scheduling.
  • Phase III of the Design Agreement: This is where scheduling and confirmations and final pricing is formalized. Normally we present a gantt schedule for your approval to make sure the invasive work executed in your home aligns with your schedule. The contract is presented, then signed, and you are one step closer to a finished project.