Contact your local AIA (Architect's Institute of America), www.AIA.org Ask neighbors, work colleagues, or friends who recently renovated their home.

PLAN Development If you have preliminary plans and know roughly what you would like to spend, our cost analysis services expedite a budget, phase-to-phase project schedule and value engineering for “Ready for Construction Drawings“. Our 3-page contract can help you expedite these plans.

Schedule allowing, GCI can participate in an invitation to bid. We recommend property-owners retain a contractor based on their merit and professionalism, never on a bid number. Prior to soliciting bids from contractors one should interview each candidate and resolve to employ them based on their integrity and capacity to perform the work.

Contact the Better Business Bureau, bbb.org for Consumer tips: Hiring a Home Improvement Contractor

Mapping out the cost of Architectural Drawings requires research, site visits and data analysis. A “preliminary estimate” might give you a ball-park figure, however your construction plans must include detailed architectural drawings and comprehensive specifications to receive a concise price from any contractor.

"For Construction Drawings" are required for building permits and a contract with a reputable builder. It is best for all concerned to know the cost and the duration of construction. Either your contractor or architect can obtain the necessary building permits for your jurisdiction.

Your contractor should give you a schedule of values (the project costs) and a construction schedule (trades flow-chart and billing schedule). GCI prefers an AIA Stipulated Sum contract and insists on the governance of AIA, General Conditions Contract #107 for all work we perform.