Everything people ask before they book

It depends on the size, the finishes, the appliances and how far gas, power and water have to run, so we put a number on it only in writing, after a site visit and drawings. The cost page lists what moves it.

Many clients start about eight to twelve weeks after signing, because permits and materials set the pace. The build itself runs from a few weeks to a few months with the size. Your proposal names a start window and a finish window.

Our contractor license and insurance are listed in the footer of every page, and the certificate of insurance comes with your proposal. Ask which parts of your project a licensed gas fitter or electrician will do.

We walk the yard with you, measure, photograph the house wall and the slope, find where gas, power and water are, and ask how you cook and who sits at the table. You leave with the next step in writing.

In stages tied to the work: a quarter at signing, a quarter when materials arrive, most of the rest when the rough-in is inspected, and the last part after the walkthrough. We take checks and bank transfers.

We don't lend money or arrange loans. Some clients use a home equity line or a loan from their own bank, and we'll give a lender the proposal and the schedule they ask for. The lender sets the rate, fees and terms, so ask for the full terms before you sign anything.

The proposal states our workmanship warranty in writing: it covers the masonry, framing and the gas and electrical connections we install, for the period the proposal names, and says how to make a claim. Appliances carry the maker's warranty. Damage from misuse, flooding or ground movement isn't covered.

Almost always for gas piping, new circuits and any roof or wall attached to the house. We prepare and file the applications for the work we build. Metro Nashville and each neighboring county have their own office and rules, and we confirm yours at the visit.

Many neighborhoods, and the overlay districts in parts of Nashville, ask for approval before anything is built. We prepare the drawings the board or commission asks for, and you or we submit them.

Open flame and gas fire features have clearance and ventilation rules, and under a roof the answer depends on the roof height, how many sides are open and your local code. The inspector has the last word, so we check it at the visit before we draw anything.

A light rain won't stop the crew. Concrete and mortar need a dry day above freezing, so a hard freeze or a wet week moves the date. We tell you the new date and write it down.

Move furniture, grills and planters out of the work area, tell the neighbors on the side where we'll bring equipment, and tell us about pets. We call 811 to have underground lines marked before we dig.

Davidson County and the counties around it: Williamson, Sumner and Wilson. The service area page lists the towns and the places we don't go.