FAQ

we invite you to read through some of our most common questions and answers before requesting a consultation.

Q: Are you licensed and insured?

**A: Yes.** We are a licensed, General B contractor with full insurance, worker’s compensation, and 100% clean record.

Q: Who manages my job?

A: We assign an experienced project manager to every job and behind this individual is an entire team. You will have direct communication with your project manager from consultation to completion. Depending on the service, we also provide specialized on-site foremen to manage skilled labor. Additionally, we have Quality Assurance '(“QA”) representatives who are like our own version of city-inspectors, but just for ekologe, to ensure a high standard of accountability. Regardless of your assigned project manager and dedicated staff, ekologe executives are always ready to go above and beyond for each client.

**Q: Do you offer free consultations?**

A: **Yes, we provide up to two free consultations, either on-site or remote.**

The first on-site consultation involves a walk-through, discussion, measurements, and possibly immediate pricing or an estimate. A second consultation is free if scheduled within 10 days of the first, with all title holders present.

**Q: Why do you require ALL Title-Holders to be present for the meeting?**
**A: This requirement is to ensure clear and accurate communication with all parties involved in a potential legal transaction.** We understand coordinating schedules can be challenging, but accurate information sharing is crucial for us. There’s rarely a job, big or small, that doesn’t require the direct input of all property-owners, whether it’s about the job itself or the crews behind it. If you prefer to meet with other contractors that don’t place a priority on interfacing directly with each title holder, we encourage you to do so, and book us after the others once timing permits for all title holders to be present for the duration of the meeting. Where necessary for out-of-state title owners we can conduct remote video conferences, such as Zoom. If we book a meeting with a Project Manager and a title holder is absent at that time, or leaves during the meeting, the Project Manager may gather some basic information as needed and then arrange a follow-up on-site or remote 2nd consultation to discuss any findings or pricing.

Q. What happens if I need more than two consultations?

A: Additional consultations cost $250 for on-site and $150 for remote. Such fees may be reimbursed later as a credit against the job cost at the Project Manager’s discretion.
**Q: Do you offer free written bids?**
A: **Yes, but for a service fee. Starting January 1, 2023, we charge for written bids, including itemized ones, to ensure our team is fairly compensated for their efforts.** However, these fees can be credited towards your project if you decide to proceed with us. We've implemented this policy to maintain the quality of our service as demand has grown, ensuring that we can dedicate the necessary time and detail to each bid. This change supports our commitment to providing personalized and accurate bids, reflecting our consultations' depth and our team's dedication amidst a busy schedule of managing projects, crews, and client relationships.
Written bids are priced at $250 for the first trade, $200 for additional trades, and $150 for each required itemization. Following payment, a second consultation is scheduled to review and adjust the bid within the time frame established by the Project Manager.

Q: How long do your consultations typically run?

**A: 1 to 2 hrs.** Your meeting length will vary based on project size and how many questions you have. Hiring a contractor is an important decision so we request that whatever time you book is 100% comfortable for you. If timing doesn’t work for one title holder, note that we may be available for evening meetings and can zoom, as needed, together.

Q: Can you design my project?

**Yes, we are a design-build company.** Our project managers can brainstorm and draft concepts with you during the consultation. For more advanced 3D designs or blueprints, we have a team of talented in-house designers and architects. During your free consultation, you’ll decide if you want to hire us for those advanced designs or plans.

Q: Do you provide ranges over the phone?

**A: Yes, with limitations**. For single-service jobs and with accurate information provided, we can offer a cost range remotely prior to coming out. However, you probably wouldn’t be reaching out if it was so straightforward to begin with. New constructions, speciality remodels, or projects involving multiple trades will likely necessitate on-site evaluations. While some companies may offer full job pricing based on satellite images or photos, this approach often overlooks crucial details that could affect the final cost. If relying solely on such methods seems adequate to you, we respectfully suggest considering other options. Our priority is ensuring the accuracy and comprehensiveness of our estimates by understanding all aspects of the project firsthand.

“do you have a job price minimum?”

Yes, $10,000. We price per the job, not by the hour. Depending on the project, we may be able to provide you with a realistic range over the phone prior to coming out. If you have a specific small job you’d still like us to review, or perhaps many small jobs that may amount to our price minimum, feel free to contact us here and we’ll give it a look and reach out.

Q: How long are your estimated cost ranges or written bids valid for?

A: Up to 10 day, typically. While in the past we could offer up to 30 days to consider jobs, assume it is 10 days due to ongoing nationwide material shortages and international supply chain issues, we experience ongoing changing hard costs and wish to honor all of our estimated cost ranges or written bids at the time of submission. If you’re looking to schedule a consultation for a job many months in advance, we request that you book us when you are closer to starting to ensure accurate pricing and crew availability. There may be exceptions, but do not assume it’s guaranteed.

Q: Can you fix a job that my last contractor botched?

A: We'd love to help transform your project, but it often depends on several factors, including the original work's compliance and your budget. If the previous work was unpermitted or not up to code, we might need to start over. It's also common to encounter unrealistic budget expectations due to previous expenditures or underestimations. We recommend getting multiple repair bids from licensed contractors for comparison before reaching out to us. That said, don’t be shy, send us a detailed message here and if we can be of service, we will reach out.