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Design-Build at Work

July 28, 2014 By Apex Construction Management Leave a Comment

This client desired to increase the amount of useable area on the main level and create an open floor plan. The catalyst for this project was to expand the cramped kitchen and create more working and serving areas that would allow them to entertain guests more frequently. Their lifestyle needs drove the design objectives to create a new kitchen, dining space, reading/media space, and a fireplace space themed after the north woods Boundary Waters Canoe Area that they both love so much. An additional design objective was to replace all windows and doors for improved energy conservation.

APEX was initially chosen by referral and survived the interview process to become the General Contractor for the project. The relationship was further reinforced when it became evident that APEX not only understood their needs, but more importantly, understood their north woods lifestyle. APEX exceeded the client expectations by designing and building their new two story addition that fit their lifestyles precisely.

In order to understand and meet the design objectives precisely, APEX guided the client through several iterations of the design process before the construction was started. The following design elements were implemented:

A two story addition was built to meet the client need for additional space on both levels
The kitchen was expanded significantly with an open view to all of the main level spaces
Kitchen storage space was increased by over 300% with well designed cabinets and a built-in hutch
A reading/media room was added to the main level, one of the primary design objectives
A fireplace room was created on the main level with a north woods design theme
The new upper level spaces are well defined but softened by arches and complemented by arched windows
Additional windows were installed to maximize the amount of natural light in all areas of the main level
The lighting was designed to provide an abundance of general, task, and ambience lighting at night
An upper level deck was added to create additional exterior space for grilling and relaxation
The lower level rooms were rearranged to provide a view to the back yard when going to the lower level
The additional lower level room became an exercise area which freed up existing space for a master suite
Consideration was given to integrating exterior and interior spaces which drove the landscape design

Of particular interest in this project, the initial budget for the new addition came in at over $225,000. APEX felt that this was an ‘over-investment’ for that property and engaged a real estate advisor who confirmed the potential over-investment and provide some guidance for the future resale value of the property. The advisor also made design recommendations that would increase their return on investment, which the client accepted. As a result, the floor plans for both levels were revised in accordance with the advisor’s recommendations, and the project budget was reduced by over $50,000.

APEX also delivered on its stated goals of Advanced Construction Solutions and Old World Craftsmanship with fastidious attention to detail at every step the project. The new spaces created by the addition far exceeded the functional and aesthetic expectations of the client. The client was extremely pleased with APEX and described the finished project as fitting them just perfectly in every way and are doing more entertaining with guests as a result.

This is another project that was highly successful because of active client participation from the initial design throughout the ongoing decision-making during the course of the project. As a result, APEX was able to improve their quality of life.

Changing Spaces for Changing Lives

July 18, 2014 By Apex Construction Management Leave a Comment

Our client had raised three children in their split level home of 30 years. The kids have now grown into adults and have moved out of the house so their lifestyle needs had changed. They were not happy with the typical main floor plan of that era which consisted of multiple small rooms connected together by long, dark hallways. They wanted a more open floor plan that would better allow them to entertain frequent guests and visits by family members. Their lifestyle changes drove the design objectives to create an integrated kitchen/dining space with a separate reading/media space that was also separated from the living room. An additional design objective was to replace several windows and doors for improved energy conservation. We were engaged and charged with changing their spaces for their changing lifestyles.

The Process… in order to understand and meet the design objectives effectively, we guided the client through several iterations of the design process before the construction was started. The stated design elements were identified and implemented as follows:
• Kitchen Upgrade: The kitchen was completely deconstructed and redesigned with a new floor plan. It was originally separated from the dining room by a wall, which was removed to create a much larger open space. A new floor plan, lighting, cabinets, countertops, appliances and flooring plus the creative combinations of materials, colors, and textures came together to create a beautiful new kitchen.
• Open Floor Plan: The under-utilized dining room was seamlessly integrated into the kitchen space by removing walls and creating a large open and inviting space with much more functionality that satisfies the needs of this client’s new lifestyle. Strong lighting design provided more than enough light for a full range of evening or nighttime activities.
• Increased Interior Privacy: The half bath and master suite were plainly visible in the old plan. The new plan effectively increased the privacy of those spaces with a minimum amount of cleverly placed walls that included an art alcove.
• Increased exterior privacy: The view from the road below into the house was effectively obstructed by the design and placement of the windows and kitchen cabinetry without compromising the amount of natural light entering the space.
• Improved View: The view down to the lake was dramatically improved by the placement of several high performance windows and a patio door along entire wall facing the lake. The lake is now visible from throughout the new space.
• Natural Light: Achieving this design objective exceeded everyone’s expectations! Numerous large high performance windows and a patio door allowed natural light to flood the combined spaces during the day.
The Challenge… the key challenge for this project was managing and balancing the conflicting design objectives of openness and privacy. In the client’s own words, we achieved this and exceeded all of the design objectives by 150% of their expectations.

In the client’s own words, they are 150% satisfied with how we met their design objectives. They felt that we provided a lot of great ideas and options along the way and remained flexible in accommodating the typical changes and unexpected challenges during their project. They liked how we developed a theme around their idea for arches and carried that theme throughout the project, including the arched windows in the new spaces. They were also happy that we opened up the front entryway and installed larger windows that flooded the living room with natural light. They also appreciated the superior craftsmanship and fastidious attention to detail that is evident throughout the project.

One of the reasons this project was so successful was the active involvement and participation of the client. This is a discriminating client who understood what quality and craftsmanship meant and who knew exactly what they wanted. With that guidance, we were able to exceed their needs and improve their quality of life at home. The client was so pleased with the functionality of their new open spaces that they invited our entire company over for dinner to celebrate their project completion!

Successful Remodeling Project Roadmap

May 30, 2014 By Apex Construction Management Leave a Comment

The challenge of undertaking a major construction project in their home can be intimidating for most people. The reasons for this are many. The construction process is not clearly understood and the fear of the unknown sets in, causing anxiety about the project. Budget constraints can add another layer of stress to the process. The many horror stories about troubled and failed projects are, unfortunately, rampant in the remodeling industry. The overwhelming number of decisions and selections that need to be made in a condensed time frame is often more pressure than most people ever experience in such a short period of time. The resistance to change can be paralyzing to the point of indecision, stifling creativity and adding even more stress to the process. The list goes on.

A remodeling project in your home does not have to be a black hole of fear. When you can see how the whole construction management process works and how seamlessly all of the moving parts come together, it can actually be a lot of fun, especially when you are driving the process! What can be more exciting than seeing your vision, one that you’ve dreamed about for years, become a reality? And, the best part is how rewarding it feels when you start enjoying the new spaces you’ve created. Let’s get started on helping you get started on that new project.

Here at APEX, we attempt to demystify the process for our clients with our Project Roadmap and Project Milestones document. Our Project Roadmap is an overview of how your remodeling project gets from vision to reality. There are eight milestones. The first four are in what we call the Preconstruction Phase and the second four are in the Construction Phase. Here is what your roadmap to a successful project looks like:

Preconstruction Phase:

Project Feasibility – Determine if the project can be done
Budget & Timetable – How much it will cost & how long it will take
Design Completion – The back of a napkin becomes a set of plans
Construction Estimate – Detail the scope of work and the total cost

Construction Phase:

Construction Agreement – The contract documents
Framing Completion – The first big milestone
Drywall Completion – The next big milestone
Project Completion – Job well done, time to celebrate!

Our Project Milestones offer a detailed description of what takes place at each one of these steps and helps to simplify the journey for you.

The ideal outcome of working together is a successful project that comes in on time and under budget. We have everything in place to help guide you through the entire construction process. It has taken us many years and hundreds of projects to perfect this process and offer you a journey with a minimum amount of risk and a maximum level of fun as you watch your vision become a reality.

With our Project Roadmap and Project Milestones we can help you avoid the twists and turns and nasty surprises that fuel horror stories, giving you a great experience and a smooth journey throughout your project.

Dream Kitchen & Living Space

August 22, 2013 By Apex Construction Management Leave a Comment

The APEX team treated our project as if it were their number one priority; they listened, offered suggestions, provided timely solutions, and were always generous with their time. The personal attention they extend is second-to-none in this industry. ‘Building on Integrity’ isn’t just a slogan, it is a commitment that APEX takes very seriously. They made our dream kitchen and living space!

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