“The way I work
is just as important
as the work I do.”

I share my name with my company. I work directly on every project from beginning to end, and I stand by my results. My team of trusted trades people, suppliers, and designers help to transform homes into comfortable, healthy environments.

What makes CCH Construction unique?

• I develop your project so that it can be designed and built within your budget. We provide cost of construction estimates as the project develops. So when a design or product changes, you know how that decision affects your budget.
• As your project's designer, I understand all of the details required to complete it on schedule. A construction schedule is part of every contract. Clients know when critical decisions have to be made according to schedule. This avoids delays and eliminates the stress of having to make a rushed decision.
• You have the convenience and certainty of my being the sole supervisor on your project. I am responsible for every aspect of your project and the work done by my team.
• As a Certified Green Building Professional, I can consult with you about the latest products and methods to improve indoor air quality, provide attractive, long lasting finishes and conserve energy in your home.
• As a member of NARI, I am bound by a code of professional ethics. I align my entire business to this code.
• My business is built upon referrals from satisfied clients; and therefore I always strive to leave you 100% thrilled with our work.
• I have earned a reputation for minimizing the stress associated with remodeling and for positive long-lasting relationships with homeowners.

Who are my clients?

Oftentimes people call me because something about their home is causing them frustration. Perhaps there is not enough counter space or storage in the kitchen. Maybe the cabinet drawers stick and the doors look tired. Sometimes family members are bumping into each other in the mornings because they share a single bathroom.

Whatever the reason, they are ready for a change to their home. What we have in common is an appreciation for the intersection of art, design, and utility. They trust me to create a new space that is comfortable, beautiful and practical as well.

My clients also appreciate green building. I am a consultant to my clients on green techniques and materials. I strive to reuse as much as possible in each project and to help you make choices that are smart and practical about long lasting materials/products and energy efficiency.

How do we get started?

We usually spend about 20 minutes on the phone discussing your hopes for the project. We exchange basic information and schedule a visit to your home.We discuss who will be there and what information we need to go over during the first one hour meeting in your home.

Our introduction

I visit your home and meet everyone who shares the decision-making. For the hour-long meeting we turn our cell phones off and allow ourselves uninterrupted time to get acquainted.

We ask each other questions and you show me your home. We discuss your hopes for and frustrations with the space, and what you would like to achieve through remodeling. We discuss budget issues and what you're planning to invest.

During our meeting I will tell you if I think the project, schedule, and budget are compatible. If we feel we can work together, we outline an agreement. I will request a design retainer and begin work on your project.

What is the design retainer?

The retainer is a fee charged to make preliminary drawings and develop the design. On larger projects, such as higher end kitchens and room additions, a feasibility study is sometimes done to qualify zoning issues and budget constraints. The fee is applied to the total budget of the project. The preliminary drawings are useful to communicate and visualize, and especially to prioritize.

The budget for every project, no matter what size, is affected by the design. I aim to satisfy both the spatial priorities (your goals for space) and the budget costs.

What if you already have plans and a designer?

I often work closely with an architect or even a whole team of designers including architects, interior decorators, lighting consultants, and art consultants.

I recommend bringing a contractor into the design process from the start, and if not, as early as possible. What I can bring to the table is expertise on materials, feasibility and cost. That way, as the architect draws up the plans, I provide feedback on how it would be done and the current cost of materials. That insures that the designs stay within your budget and you get what your want.

Estimates/Bidding Process

I am available to meet with homeowner’s who are planning a remodeling project or room addition to see if I might be a good match for your project. I am also able to provide a simple estimate: a range of what your project might cost based on my previous experience.

I do charge for detailed estimates or project cost estimate analysis. I have found that most of the estimates contractors submit in the bidding process don’t include enough information to be accurate and therefore lead to frustration for the client.

Most bids are based on assumptions made by the contractor based on drawings that are not quite complete. These bids aren’t very accurate and are therefore of limited relevance to selecting a contractor.

An accurate bid must take into account all the specifics of the project, such as:

• The materials and products to be used
• What is to be saved, what will be replaced
• What techniques and processes will be used
• Any special challenges to the site or home, such as a hill that needs to be reinforced or specimen trees that need to be protected
• What kind of provisions are needed if you will be living in the home during construction
• What will be the specific sequence of construction events. How the project plan will be completed

To give you an accurate bid I spend many hours working out the details. I provide information on available materials and check out the feasibility of your plans or develop plans. Only by doing a detailed cost estimate analysis can I come up with an accurate project estimate.

Therefore, I recommend that prospective clients pick their contractor on the basis of trust, experience, and good communication, rather than the bid. After you select a contractor, you and they will then work together on a plan that takes into account your needs and desires, your budget, and the feasibility as judged by the contractor.

An outline of The process

• 1 st meeting topics
• priorities
• budget strategies
• initial scope of work
• design retainer
• design development
• initial project cost estimate
• tentative schedule/project duration
• pre-construction agreement
• agree to make construction drawings for permit process
• begin to specify products, finishes, materials
• submit for permits/design review
• project proposal/revise estimate cost 
• construction contract
• all the specifics 
• cost
• schedule
• permits
• construction begins

Is Cameron available now?

Please phone me, Cameron Habel, at (510) 531-4090 or email me at cameron@habelconstruction.com.

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