GENERAL
How long have you been in business?
John Skolfield has had a construction company in Winter Park since 1987. Anthony Rizzo joined him as a partner in 2003 when Skolfield Homes in its current form were incorporated.
How big is your company?
We currently have a staff of six in the office and 14 in the field, including three working superintendents. Revenue in 2007 was approximately $4 million.
Where do you work?
The majority of our work is in the established neighborhoods of Winter Park.
What kind of work do you focus on?
We are a full-service renovation/remodeling contractor focusing on all aspects of altering your existing home. Although we have experience in building new homes, our true passion lies in working with existing structures. The type of renovation work matters less to us than the type of client. We like jobs we can perform for clients who desire and appreciate the benefits of a professional remodeling firm as opposed to “Chuck and a Truck.” We find ourselves doing quite a variety of work from whole-house remodels to rotted-wood repairs to master suite additions to complex structural reworking. We also do a large number of kitchen and bathroom remodels.
How do I start the remodeling process?
The beginning of the process can be as simple as a phone call to our office and discussion with John Skolfield. If you are certain that your project will require engineered drawings and you do not have a current relationship with an architect or designer, we would encourage you to contact one of the design professionals listed on our “Resources” page. Have with you as many ideas and concepts that speak to what you want to do. Clipping pictures or taking photos off the Internet will also help Skolfield Homes understand what you’re trying to accomplish. From that first meeting, we will clearly articulate the steps to accomplish your vision.
DESIGN
Can you help with design?
We can assist with design on several levels. We have relationships with several designers and architects and can recommend one that would be a good fit. Less complicated projects are often outlined very successfully by John Skolfield or Anthony Rizzo.
What if we have an architect already?
Excellent! We always welcome the opportunity to expand our business relationships.
Do I need to have an interior designer?
The short answer is no. This being said, the real question needs to be: Is the scope of work, along with your skills at selecting products and colors, commensurate with the demands of the project and your expectations of the final result? We often see the use of a talented designer to be a tremendous benefit to everyone.
ESTIMATING
Do you provide fixed-price contracts?
Our process involves a no-cost, no-obligation meeting to determine if we are a good fit for you and your project. At this first meeting, we will provide you–to the best of our ability–a very rough budgetary range. If it is determined that it would be mutually beneficial to continue to the next step, we would receive a small deposit to create a comprehensive proposal. If you choose to have us do the work, the entire deposit will be credited to the first draw on the project.
What is a cost-plus contract?
A cost-plus contract is when we submit invoices on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, including all backup data and a percentage added to cover our overhead and profit.
This is most frequently used when the scope of work is difficult to quantify, when a long-standing client wants the simplicity of just requesting us to do the work, or when we are engaged to take over projects that are being mismanaged.
How much will the work cost?
The right price for high-quality workmanship managed well. Put another way, it will be a bargain compared to poor-quality work mismanaged and corrected multiple times. Square-footage pricing for budgetary purposes has little value without discussions about complexity and the level of finishes.
What are your preconstruction services?
Our preconstruction services consist of all the feasibility determinations such as the setbacks, floor area ratio calculations, building coverage calculations, height limit calculations, along with counseling as to what constitutes a reasonable investment in your home. Furthermore, preconstruction services include all the steps necessary to get to permitting. These can include getting engineering for windows, getting stress engineering, ensuring that the plans are fully engineered, and filling out the extensive forms involved in preparing for the permit application.
CONTRACTS AND PAYMENTS
What type of contract do you use?
On small projects (roughly under $50,000) we have a “Service Work” contract thoroughly itemizing the scope of work to be completed along with payment terms. For larger jobs, we have a custom designed contract which goes into great detail outlining all the selections, allowances, draw schedule, timeline, etc.
What is a typical payment schedule?
On fixed-price jobs, we have a draw schedule in the contract which outlines from 3 and 10 draw points. These are tied to milestones such as completion of drywall or completion of block-work. Typically we require 5% at contract signing, 5% at permitting and initiation of work, then various 10% to 20% draws culminating with a 5% or 10% draw due upon completion of the final punch list.
What about change orders?
On fixed-price jobs, change orders occur as a result of one or two events. One is when the owner requests a change in the scope of work, and the other is when a latent defect is uncovered necessitating a remedy which requires additional work. At this point, the customer is consulted and a change order is created with a clear scope of work and associated costs. It is then scheduled, signed, and added to the next scheduled invoice.
When do I pick out fixtures, flooring, etc.?
The selection process should begin as soon as possible. After we sign a contract, we will get a list to you with the associated allowances. Then we will set up a meeting in which we discuss the various fixtures and components necessary for your job. At that point, we will set up meetings with particular vendors with whom we have a good working relationship or if you desire, any other supplier. See a list of suppliers, subcontractors, and design professionals on our “Resources” page.
PRODUCTION
Who will be managing my job?
One of our three working superintendents will be assigned to your job. This selection will be made based on many factors including the likely fit between super and client, job schedule, skill-set match, and workload.
Do you subcontract some of the work?
We subcontract most of our specialized work such as plumbing, mechanical (air-conditioning), and electrical. This is standard in the industry, as these specialties require their own licenses and permitting. Where we often differ from our competition is that we self-perform most of the other tasks, hence our strong, dedicated in-house workforce.
How long will the job take?
For many reasons, it is in everybody’s interest to produce your project quickly and efficiently. The irony is that we really want you to like having our crew at your house but we never lose sight of the fact that you would really rather us be done and gone. We create a full schedule on Microsoft Project and provide this to you prior to starting. This will enable you to track our progress and know when particular stages are coming up.
How do I find out more?
You may call our office at 407-647-7730, send us an e-mail, or drop by our office at 118 West Comstock Ave
