How Does New Avenue Work?
At New Avenue, we change lives. It's a bold statement, but it's 100% true.
A new home, major remodel or backyard cottage should completely change the way a homeowner lives. The point of our projects is to do just that—change your life and put you in control for the long term. It can be a source of extra income, a source of security for the future, or just extra space to make your life easier. It can even be all three. The point is, we help homeowners make the most of the property they own.
The value we provide comes from 1) the team we assemble for you and 2) the way we manage every project from start to finish.
Here's how it works.
Start with design.
First, you'll need to sign up for a free call with New Avenue. You'll be able to ask your questions and talk with an experienced project manager about the possibilities for your property.
When you're ready to get started, we'll match you with a design–build team with the experience and skills to bring your vision to life.
Get what you want, even if you don't know how to define it. Design is a process. Good design addresses challenges in a logical and simple order. Our design professionals have invested years in studying this process and can guide you through it so you get to the best home for you. It is not your job to know what the process is (you might do this once in your life). A design professional will present ideas to you so that you can focus on choosing from those ideas. You can make your choices one at a time.
That is how progress is made in the creative pursuit of your perfect design.
Sign up for a site visit, and for a flat fee of $600, we will come to your home to discuss your vision, share ideas, and gain a thorough understanding of your site and project.
We will:
1) Meet you at your home, virtually or in person, to assess the house and property
2) Discuss your goals and needs
3) Determine the scope of work and come up with a thorough, detailed proposal
Our goal is to start with the best proposal in the business. Our proposals eliminate the unknown surprises you find elsewhere. They are a list of your design milestones from start to finish. This is the smartest way to start any project, and there is no obligation to accept the proposal or continue.
Once you accept the design proposal, design work can begin. Design work is billed hourly. Your design professional will complete all the necessary construction documents and obtain the required permits, setting the stage for the next phase: construction. (Many of our clients have said that our help in permitting was key in getting their project done—the process is a major challenge for homeowners who try to navigate it on their own.)
A few tips based on our extensive experience:
Save time by planning ahead. Design, soils engineering (if needed), structural engineering, a survey, permits, site work, tree removal, drainage and utility upgrades are the typical hidden costs and delays that may surprise you and make your project take twice as long as it has to. We've studied other
projects and found that projects that are not well-planned take twice as long! Your design professional will make sure you’re informed so you can fast-track your project.
Choose the right type of construction. We've done modular, panels and other forms of pre-fab construction. It ends up being more expensive than onsite custom construction. Well managed custom construction is better quality and a better price than pre-fab. That's why we focus on the best management we can provide, keeping your costs in check while building a custom addition or home
that's designed just for you.
Next, choose a contractor.
Our local contractors know your area and are experts in your type of project. We introduce the contractor that’s right for you. You can also get bids from outside contractors to compare prices. (If you hire someone from outside of New Avenue to do the construction, we can still manage the budget and payments to make sure the project stays on track.)
You'll receive construction bids based on the materials and labor rates at the time of bidding. Costs can range from $200 per square foot to over $1,000 per square foot depending on your particular needs and wants. You can keep track of all your bids on your New Avenue project page.
Once you've decided on a contractor, you'll use New Avenue's contract to secure their services. New Avenue uses a fixed-price contract that ensures that you pay only for completed, quality work.
Construction time.
From the moment you break ground to the day you move in, you have absolute oversight over your project through New Avenue's system. You can keep track of every step of the construction phase on your New Avenue project page, and you'll be able to use our system to communicate with your contractor. You'll receive invoices as work is completed, and you'll be able to approve payments through New Avenue (see How to pay your designer or contractor without the usual risk or headaches).
Keep it simple: Pay as the work is completed and approve changes in writing. New Avenue is the only app built by a homeowner for homeowners. It is also the only app built to be completely fair to everyone—the owner, the designer, and the contractor. Everyone needs a level playing field to play their best. And in design and construction, no one can afford a weak link in the owner– designer–builder relationship.
We simplify proposals, bids, and payments in one simple online form. With our system you will know what you signed up for and what is done, and you'll pay once a month as the work is completed.
Enjoy your beautiful home.
Once construction and inspections are complete, you'll be ready to move in. You may want to host an open house to show your friends, family, and neighbors what you've been working on. Then it's time to enjoy. Take on renters, bring your parents or kids to live with you, or use the space yourself. The process isn't easy—construction is never easy—but it's worth it.
Ready to get started?
New Avenue's system streamlines everything, and our team of professionals ensures that your project runs smoothly. Sign up today to view actual project timelines, plans, and budgets and to get started on your Goals and Ideas questionnaire.
