A Simplified View of our Process

See below this module for the fully detailed view and explanations.

1. Vision/Discovery Meetings

Together, we determine if your vision aligns with the allocated budget and your intended level of investment.  (See also our post on clear budgets in our Learning Center)

We will discuss your Needs/”Must Have”, Wants/”if we can”, and “absolutely not” list.   And will review  any inspirational documents you can provide so that we can more clearly understand your visions and intent for your unique project.

2. Concept Design/Agreement

A preliminary, brochure type plan is created for your new home that will show the front and rear elevations and a floor plan layout for each of the finished levels.

We will provide our “No Less Than” Estimated Ballpark cost and if  agreed upon will move into the next phase of the process.

This pre-planning stage typically cost approximately $6,000 depending on the design.  This includes our guidance, initial design planning by a chosen architect, property feasibility study and initial boundary surveys.

3. Pre-Construction/Preliminary Building Agreement (PBA)

In this stage we will fully develop the project for the final design and true cost.

The scope of the project will be fully determined and documented for sign off.

Bids from our trade partners and suppliers are obtained.

Final selections and specifications are chosen and included in the budgets.  Architectural, Civil, and other required plans are completed and  ready for permitting. These will be submitted by ACH or the Architect on your behalf at a time that works for the project depending on relative timelines.  Permitting could take upwards of 2-3 months depending several factors.

In the end, you will be provided with a very clear and comprehensive “construction proposal” to make a truly informed and comfortable decision on moving forward with Construction.

This provides a great opportunity to value engineer for savings if needed, or it can be used to add additional aspects from your “wants” list if the budget allows for it..

Our clients have found great value in our process and are able to make this large decision with complete comfort knowing that they have a fixed price contract!

We like to ask… “When would you like to know what’s included and how much it will truly cost? Once you are at the end and are most likely upset and over your intended budget, or BEFORE enter into a large contract and start site work?”

4. Secure Financing

Once you have an approved proposal you can secure your final financing with your lenders. (see our blog on Financing Options in our Learning Center)

5. Construction

By now we have an approved Fixed-Price Contract that reflects everything worked on and approved in the previous stage during the PBA.

We will start work on site prep and placing orders for materials.

Communication is clear throughout the build via your 24/7 online portal powered by BuilderTrend which allows client access to schedules, emails and other massaging, budgets and balances in real time, available selections, photos/videos, daily activity logs by our team, and onsite meetings to ensure no detail is missed.

6. Handover

Our thorough 300+ point quality control handover process is completed by our team over typically a 2-week process.

We will then schedule to meet you at your new home to not only congratulate you, but also to provide you your keys, talk you through specific documents inside your new home file binder we provide, and walk through each area to inform you of the use of the homes equipment and other aspects to keep an eye on throughout your life inside your new dream home.

7. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed

Any items that are not completed or do not meet the expectations of ACH, or you the client will be noted during the handover meeting.  We will then schedule a time and day(s) to return to complete these listed items as soon as we have the proper materials, and we can efficiently schedule all the work together to keep the process less invasive to your schedules.

All other items noted throughout your living in the home over the next 8-10 months will be reviewed in the 4^th quarter of ownership and handle accordingly in the same manner as explained above.

We pride ourselves on the fact that we feel our true reputation is determined after delivery.  We feel that all of our clients become part of a family and we treat you as such.  We proudly stand behind our products and services and love to stay in touch with our great clients long after delivery of your new home.

A Detailed Explanation Of Our Process

Phase 1: Pre-Construction Planning

Qualification:

Get started by answering a few basic questions to ensure that we are not only a proper fit for each other, but that the project can be completed successfully.

• What neighborhoods are you interested in living and lot size?
• If you already own a lot, we can design a home specifically for it.
• What type of home do you want to build?
• Is it feasible to build what you want, where you want to live?
• What is your intended level of investment (your budget)? See our post in the Learning Center on our site for important information regarding clearly defined budgets.
• What types of materials to you want to use in the construction?
• How will the project be funded?
• What fears do you have about the building process and what are the most important aspects of the process to you and your family.
• Review lot setbacks and coverage so that we can design a home that meets the local requirements.
• Discuss Planning, Permitting and Construction Timeline.

Lot Search

• Locating the right lot is often the hardest part of the entire process. Working with Ambition Custom Homes you will have the opportunity to work with our Award-Winning Real estate Liaison Ana Dubin with Long and Fosters Dart Homes in Bethesda, MD.
• If you know the neighborhoods that you are interested in, we will also send out letters to owners within them to see if anyone is interested in selling their home without going to market and listed on the MLS. Often, homes that are on the MLS and open market have already been viewed by other local builders and deemed undesirable to build on.  By working with Ambition Custom Homes to review these listings, we will be able to guide you in completing your own feasibility study before you decide to make an offer.
• If you already have your own lot, this is preferred, and we will plan appropriately to build on your lot.
• Feasibility Study. During this short timeframe we will have our surveyor determine the size of a home that will best fit the lot.
• Ambition Custom Homes along with our realtor will review and put together the lot contract with you.
• Ambition Custom Homes has relationships with several Banking institutions that offer great products for Lot Loans that can be rolled into the Construction loan and then into your final loan for the project.

Discovery:

• This is when we do a Deep Dive into the details of the project.
• We will meet to thoroughly discuss your intentions for the project
• Review your pre-developed list of:
  • Needs (absolutely NEED to have these included)
  • Wants (Really WANT these items if they fit into the design and budgets)
  • Wish List (Items that would be really cool to include if your budgets and design allows it after “needs” and “wants” have been managed)
• Review the Concept and Design Agreement and moving into the next steps.

Our Agreements

#1 Concept and Design Agreement (CDA)

Our first step would be our Concept and Design Agreement (CDA) so that we can start the initial design work for your new home.  This will provide you with a basic floor plan drawing and two high end renderings for the front and rear elevations of the home design discussed.  If the initial design is approved, ACH will then be able to provide a “No less than” estimated cost.  This is a paid stage which typically cost around $6,000 depending on the design and architect selected.

We will schedule our first design meeting in our office to start discussions regarding overall design, desires, and budgets for the new home. This meeting usually takes 2-3 hours depending on the level of information provided or uncovered in the meeting.

The information obtained in the design meeting will be sent to the proper Architectural Design firm for the project.  We have relationships with several great architects which each have their own styles and level of detail.  They will take the details that we provide to them, as well as site information and local codes to develop a budget proposal for their work and preliminary concept drawings.  This could take a several weeks to obtain.

Once a preliminary sketch plan is completed, will review these drawings with our clients to determine if the design fits their visions.  If so, we will provide 3D renderings of the front and rear elevations to help envision the finished product better.  Our “No Less Than” estimate will be presented and we will discuss how this aligns with your budgets to move forward or take a step back.

After the concepts and our architectural design agreement have been approved, the architect will start working on more detailed, working drawings that we will use to accurately price the project in the next stages of the Preliminary Building Agreement.

#2 Preliminary Building Agreement (PBA)

We use our PBA  process so that we can obtain true, accurate cost for our clients in advance.  This process allows us to work closely with our clients to develop working architectural and civil drawings, make necessary selection choices to be priced and included, obtain labor bids from our trusted trade partners, material cost from suppliers, and other vital information so that we can produce a Fixed Price Contract for construction BEFORE we sign a large contract agreement and get started.

When would you like to know what is included in your new home and how much it is going to cost?  Before you sign off on a large contract and still have control over cost or during the process only to find out your actual cost are way more than you expected?

We do charge for this process due to the amount of time and expert knowledge required to develop a high-level proposal like this.  We will not provide any “estimates” or “ballpark” numbers at this stage as they are extremely arbitrary and truly unethical to provide not having the details needed to uncover true cost. 

This process typically cost around $40,000+ depending on the design, architect/engineers selected, topography and complexity of the site, and other relevant details.

In the rare case that the project does not move forward, any information developed to that point will be yours to keep. 

This pre-planning process can take anywhere from 5-12+ months depending on many factors.   The PBA stage includes all of the architectural work and materials, Civil and Structural engineering work and materials, and ACH fees to produce such a high level document which takes our team upwards of 50+ hours to do.

• During this phase we will initiate the civil engineering field work needed for more detailed plan development and permitting.
• As soon as we have a clear understanding of the design elements such as rooms and layouts, we can begin the selection process.  This is where our clients are put in touch with all our trusted vendors to make all the choices for materials and finishes that will be included in their new home.  These choices, once approved, will be used for the fixed price construction proposal that we will provide and review in the end.
• Many clients decide to hire an outside designer to assist with this process since it can be very time consuming for busy professionals.  Others decide they would like to handle making all their selection choices on their own over a few weeks.  We do have great design resources in several of our partnering showrooms that are great and free to our clients.  Or you can choose to use the Ambition Custom Homes standard inclusions and minimize the selection process altogether.
• Once the final permit ready plans are complete Ambition Custom Homes will be able to provide a very clear and comprehensive, fixed price construction proposal for your new home that is based on actual cost of included items, details, and subcontractor bids. NO surprises once we get started!!

Our CDA and PBA agreement stages provide excellent value and set the team up for great success!  Not only does it provide us both an opportunity to work with one and other from the start to gain trust, but it greatly reduces the concern for additional cost and missed details after contract signing.  And enables us to offer a “fixed price” proposal and allows us to start ordering materials and scheduling trades as soon as we get started.

In an inconsistent and competitive market, having everything selected, priced, and documented prior to starting is a major factor in the success of the project as we move into construction.  Not just from a budget perspective, but many materials carry large lead times and our trade partners are in high demand.

#3 Fixed Price Proposal for Construction

By the time that we have all the necessary documents, SOW, selection choices, and final cost for the project, we will prepare our very clear and comprehensive construction proposal for your review and schedule a meeting in our office to go through it together in full detail.

We will have taken due diligence in preparing this document and will provide a detailed list and description of items selected by you to go into your new home as well as the fixed price to move forward.

This proposal will include the following details:

• Your Fixed-Price (This will not change unless you make changes to your scope or upgrade selection choices later in the project)
• Detailed Scope of Work (SOW) which is the “Holy Grail” of our proposal.  This document states precisely what is included in the project and in the pricing provided.  This needs to be reviewed in detail so that nothing is missed or mis-represented.  If it’s not noted in this document, it’s not included at all.
• Will show “options” to either value engineer and shave cost by removing scope items if budgets are getting tight.  Or will provide relative cost for other items that you may want to add in if budgets allow increases.
• Architectural, Civil, and any other plans that have been developed for the build.
• List of all Selection Choices approved.
• List of any Open Allowances
  • we will most likely have a few open allowances set up which are related to items or work later on in the project that may not be fully developed yet.  We will work to get as close as we can to these costs based on category cost or historical data for similar structures.
    • These usually consist of areas like Countertops, Landscaping design, Electrical Fixtures, and Fencing
    • ACH holds a couple allowances open based on the market such as Lumber, and Tile (final numbers once tile has been fully accounted for and ordered)

Of course, we realize that there are likely going to be some changes as we progress further into the build. We can provide you with the flexibility to accommodate any changes you require, whether it be changes to the original contract or adjustments to the designated allowance amounts included.

We will provide the flexibility to accommodate these changes throughout the build if needed. We do this by giving you a quote for any variations that you want to make along the way, and a variation change order will be generated promptly, so that there are NO hidden surprises at the end.

Our online management system BuilderTrend will eliminate any concerns you may have as you will be able to follow your construction online and watch your dream home come to fruition.

Additionally, we will be posting photographs at various stages of the project so that you’ll be able to follow along the entire journey with us as well as share the images of your journey with your family and friends. With 24/7 online access to the management of the project, the entire process will be completely inclusive and transparent so that you will always feel up to speed and completely in the loop.

We believe this system will reduce concerns around the common pitfalls of the construction process around communication issues or a lack of progress updates. Instead, you’ll be immersed in the entire journey with crystal clarity on where each stage is at including the budget status, schedules status, when subcontractors are scheduled and when stages are completed.  You will have total visibility that the project is being delivered on time and on budget.

Phase 2: Construction Permits

List of the Residence Permits Required:

Demolition

• Ensure that the lot is clear of debris and other health hazard materials, and that any existing utility connections have been terminated and sealed.

Building

• Generally, takes between 6 to 8 weeks to obtain. But can take longer in certain cases and areas.
• The Civil Engineering Package is needed for any Land Development Permits

Sediment Control

• Sediment Control is intended to prevent sediment from leaving a construction site during construction activity through fencing and other drainage and barrier details required by the governing municipality.
• We must have approved erosion, sediment control and storm water management plans before any construction begins.
• This approval process typically runs in line with the building permit approvals, but other times can take longer and could cause some delays in the timelines.  As of spring 2022 they are taking around 12-14 weeks.

Right-of-Way

• Required when digging or excavating anywhere within the county owned right-of-way, installation or replacement of utility lines or conduits, erection of utility poles, removing or replacing curbs, gutters, sidewalks, driveway aprons or other public improvements.

Phase 3: Construction

Ambition Custom Homes will commence construction once the fixed price contract has been formally accepted, all the necessary permits are obtained, and our team is available to start. On average, construction of a new home takes around 6-12 months. The variation in time depends on the size of your new home, specific selections and design elements, the weather, and post Covid-19 supply chain delays.

Ambition Custom Homes uses a systematized process for job reporting, handling of any potential change orders, scheduling, messaging, and more using Buildertrend which makes the building process nearly effortless for our clients.

During construction there will be a team manager on site each day to direct and manage all the field operations and quality control.  Quality inspections will be done by our site manager and trade foreman during the many different phases of construction. Whenever there is a question or a concern,  Ambition Custom Homes and the rest of the team will respond promptly.

Our clients are always our number one priority! During this phase, we like to get our homeowners involved to ensure they are staying well informed and feel very comfortable throughout the entire building process. After all, custom homes are just that… “custom,” and we want to ensure that we are meeting the expectations for your new dream home at each stage. Ambition Custom Homes will review everything from window placement to specific electrical needs throughout the process to guarantee a high level of quality for your new home and ensure that no detail is missed.

Stage 1 Site Preparation

• Required sediment controls will be put into place and inspected by the county
• Demo, clearing and excavation
• Footings and foundation installation

Stage 2 Framing

• House framing and roof installation
• Stairs, windows, and exterior door installations

Stage 3 M.E.P. Rough-In

• Utility installations
  • Heating and Air Conditioning rough in
  • Plumbing rough in
  • Electrical rough in
  • FPS Sprinkler rough in
  • Audio and Alarm rough in

Stage 4 Concealment

• Insulation and Drywall
• Siding and exterior finishes

Stage 5 Finishes

• Hardwood installations, Tile, Interior trim, Millwork and Cabinetry installation
• Painting
• Flooring (other than Tile and Hardwood)
• Exterior concrete, patio and driveway installation
• Yard stabilization through SOD or Seed and Landscaping
• Inspections and Use and Occupancy Approvals

Stage 6 Quality Control Review

Ambition Custom Homes 300+ point quality control program procedures which typically takes 1 week to complete and meet our high expectations.

Stage 7 Delivery and Substantial Completion

We will schedule your new home orientation and delivery walkthrough once the home has been completed and all of the required inspections are approved and the occupancy certificate is obtained.

Contacts to setup your utility services one month prior to your settlement date:
WSSC
Pepco
Washington Gas
Xfinity, Verizon FiOS, or other providers
Alarm system provider of your choice or we can recommend one

Phase 4: Post-Construction

Every Ambition Custom Homes home comes with a warranty to safeguard and guarantee your home is kept to the highest standard. Additionally, we will see that any remaining punch items that are still outstanding or noted during our orientation walkthrough are finalized in a timely and efficient manner. Plus, a one-year punch lists in the fourth quarter of ownership to make any necessary repairs and touch-ups noted by our clients during their time in their new home.

Below is a short outline of our home’s warranties and punch lists:

Warranty 1-2-5

Cosmetic: For one year, starting on the Effective Date, the new home is warranted to be free from any defect in materials or workmanship, as defined in the Performance Standards and subject to the limitations and exclusions listed in Exclusions from Warranty Coverage.

Operating Systems: For two years, starting on the Effective Date, the new home is warranted to be free from any defect in the electrical, plumbing, heating, cooling, ventilating, and mechanical systems, as defined in the Performance Standards and subject to the limitations and exclusions listed in Exclusions from Warranty Coverage.

Structural: For five years, starting on the Effective Date, the new home is warranted to be free from any major structural defect, as defined in the Performance Standards and subject to the limitations and exclusions listed in Exclusions from Warranty Coverage.

Punch List

Ambition Custom Homes has found over the many years in the business of building new homes that they actually require more attention and need for minor repairs and tweaks than older homes do.  We have found that these items tend to arise within the first year of ownership due to our new owners’ lifestyles and habits, and the new environment that the natural materials are living in. This is what people refer to as “settling”.

Let me explain the difference between Service and Warranty work:

Service Work relates to items that are more critical in nature.  These items most likely need to be handled in a more timely manner.  These are items such as a door handle malfunction, garage doors not operating, MEP issues, and other such items that can’t wait long to be handled.  For these items we ask our owners to contact the respective trade partners directly while keeping Ambition Custom Homes in the loop on what’s happening in case we can be of any assistance. But by the time they call us, we call the trades, we contact the owners again for dates and go through the entire process on their behalf, days may go by.  Directly contacting them negates those delays.

Warranty work is less critical in nature and although may not look or feel the best, it is best practice to allow the home to go through the seasonal changes before we plan to schedule personnel to come out.

Therefore, we have found that the most efficient process to handle these less critical items that arise is to keep a detailed list of them as they come up and send us this list sometime around the fourth quarter of ownership.  We will then review the list and schedule a day and time for one of our team members to visit the property to review the list provided and determine who and what is required to make the necessary repairs or modifications.

From here we will procure the necessary materials and schedule the required trade partners and managing personnel for two consecutive days that work for our owner’s schedule and availability so that we can handle these punch items in a way that is most efficient and least invasive for our owners.  We do require either the owners be home during the workdays, or at least be willing to provide our teams with access in the morning and throughout the day(s) needed.  Our management personnel will not be required to remain on site all day but will be there to meet the trades in the morning and review their list items for clarity. And will be available throughout the day as needed.