When we meet with a new customer, they typically have lots of questions. Well, so do we. Before we begin doing any drawings or design work, we conduct a new customer walk-through. Also called a “new customer assessment,” it’s a way of “getting to know each other,” and beginning the process of designing new construction, remodeling, or a commercial property. Doing a new customer walkthrough gives us a chance to meet with the new customer and discuss what they’re interested in building and or remodeling. It’s also a chance for a customer to “interview” us to find out if we will be a good fit for them.
This process is also called “project assessment.” The first question is about where the property is located. If the property doesn’t yet have an address, we need the tax map key number to find its location. We need to learn about the zoning requirements and restrictions in the area and the allowable uses in that area.
In most cases, property owners are allowed to have a main house as well as one Ohana, also called a cottage or an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU.) Maui has very strict regulations surrounding Ohanas, including square footage, amenities, and other requirements. But we don’t know until we begin researching the property itself what we’re working on going forward.
We’ll also ask new customers for any information they may already have on the property, such as surveys or site plans. Do you have plans for existing buildings? Bring them with you to our first meeting. Whatever documents, plans, or other information a new customer has available, that’s information we don’t have to find ourselves. It saves the customer money, and we can use the information to better prepare our proposal.
Benefits
Our new customer walk-through helps us ensure that working with someone will be successful by:
- Budget and resource planning
- Building strong client relationships
- Communication and Collaboration
- Design Alignment
- Establishing clear objectives
- Legal and regulatory compliance
- Project refinement
- Quality control
- Risk assessment, feasibility analysis, and project refinement
- Timeframe and scheduling
- Understanding client needs
By taking the first steps with a new customer walk-through, we can work closely with them and ultimately deliver a design that aligns with their vision and expectations.
Let Pro Draft Help With Your Next Building Project
Pro Draft is now offering discounted services to those affected by the wildfires in Lahaina and Kihei. Call us for details.
Pro Draft has been helping bring ideas to life in Maui for 30 years. We’re ready to help with drawings, interior design, “green design” with LEED certification, project management, and permit expeditions.
We can help with architecture, drawings, blueprints, and permits, and answer all your questions before the first day of construction. We’re happy to help and will work to ensure your project is exactly the way you envision.
Call Pro Draft today at (808) 579-9050 or 1-800-499-4699 from the Mainland
