Frequently Asked Questions
Below are a list of questions that we are frequently asked that may be helpful in answering one or more of your questions. Have a question that isn’t answered here? Call us at 336-362-7469 or schedule a Ballpark Estimate Phone Call Here!
General Questions
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We specialize in Residential Construction and have 2 separate divisions: Custom Homes and Remodels. The Remodeling Team can meet most home improvement needs from Bathroom & Kitchen remodels to Room Additions.
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Yes, Keith Smith Construction, LLC has a General Contractor's License in the state of NC (#88374).
We are covered under a General Liability policy year-round so that any mistakes or negligence is insured.
Lastly, we carry Worker's Compensation Insurance all year round for our employees so no injuries on the jobsite can be attributable to the homeowner.
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We have been in business since 1997, serving the Piedmont Triad community with high-quality residential construction services.
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Yes, we handle all necessary permits and inspections required for your project. We ensure all work is compliant with local building codes and regulations.
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Absolutely!
For remodels, we have an in-house consultant who can assist with designing your project.
For Custom Homes, we prefer to work with an Interior Designer to make your dreams a reality.
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We have a network of trusted subcontractors for specialized tasks. All subcontractors are vetted to meet our high standards of quality and professionalism.
We also have an in-house Remodeling Team that does the majority of work that doesn't require licensed trades like plumbing and electrical.
Project Planning
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You can get an estimate by scheduling a Ballpark Estimate phone call online or by calling us at 336-362-7469 to get that scheduled.
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During the Ballpark Estimate phone call, you can expect to discuss your vision for the project, ideal timelines, motivations for the project, and a Ballpark estimate so that you can determine if we are the right contractor for you.
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We provide a detailed Job Schedule before starting and strive to meet all deadlines. We keep you informed of any changes that may affect the schedule.
During Custom Home builds, we will conduct walkthroughs during the project as well to keep you updated on what has been completed and our timeline moving forward.
Construction Process
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Yes, each project is assigned a dedicated project manager who will be your main point of contact throughout the construction process.
You can expect your project manager to be assigned 2-3 projects at a time. Yours won't be the only one he or she is working on, but our goal is to never spread them too thin where your experience suffers.
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We communicate any changes or unexpected issues promptly and work with you to find the best solutions. Any changes will be documented and approved by you before proceeding.
We do this by communicating via phone and email to get your approval. After written approval via text or email is given, we will follow up with a formal change order for you to sign.
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Yes, you can request changes, but they may affect the project timeline and cost. We will provide a revised estimate and timeline for any changes you wish to make.
We do this by communicating via phone and email to get your approval. After written approval via text or email is given, we will follow up with a formal change order for you to sign.
Costs and Payments
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Project costs are determined based on materials, labor, project scope, and any additional services required. We provide a detailed Scope of Work showing the work that we are agreeing to complete.
For most projects, we do Fixed pricing meaning that we prepare the pricing up front and agree to an exact price for the total project. This means that you will pay that price by the time everything is completed other than Changes in the Scope of Work or Unforeseen Expenses due to unknown onsite conditions.
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During the Planning Stage, we will produce a Draw Schedule for your project.
Most remodels will require a 30-40% Deposit and then we will break the payments out over the course of the project.
If the project is less than a month, we would do a deposit and final payment with no mid-project draw.
If the project lasts more than 1 month than we do a draw every 4 weeks.
Custom Home Draw Schedules are based on percentage of completion, especially when a Lender is involved.
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Yes and no! If it is a Fixed Cost project where we agreed to a specific number for the Scope of Work, the price will only change for a few reasons:
You request a change in the Scope of Work.
There is an unforeseen expense do to unknown site conditions.
Materials Increase in Price by more than 10% during the project.
If it is a Cost-Plus project (Time and Materials), an estimate will be given, but the final cost will be based on exact labor and materials costs which could be above or below the estimated cost.
Warranty and Follow-Up
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Yes, we offer a 1 year warranty on our workmanship. In general this means that the warranty covers areas of the project where the quality of the install was lacking or installed incorrectly. Specific details will be provided in your contract.
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We stand by our work and will address issues that arise after project completion. Simply contact us, and we will arrange a follow-up visit to analyze the issue.
If it is outside of the 1 year workmanship warranty period, then there may be an hourly fee for the repair. The specifics will be included in your Contract.
Have a question that isn’t answered here? Call us at 336-362-7469 or schedule a Ballpark Estimate Phone Call Here!
