Working with JM Riehl Builders

If you are considering working with JM Riehl Builders on your next construction project, you might wonder what it’s like to work with a professional contractor. Whether you’re looking to build a pole barn, horse barn, home addition, exterior remodel, or re-roofing, our process remains generally the same. At JM Riehl Builders, we value transparency. That’s why we’ve provided this guide on how our process works.

Define your Vision or Problem

When you first reach out to JM Riehl, be it a phone call or contact form online, describe what you’re trying to accomplish. You could have a problem, like running out of storage space in your home or garage. You could have a vision to change the look of your home with an exterior remodel. Either way, we’ll come up with a list of standard questions depending on your project. These questions help us better understand your end goal and propose a solution. For more custom projects, like a remodel or addition, we’ll schedule an on-site evaluation.

We’ll Propose a Solution

After we have a clear understanding of your goal, we’ll propose a solution. Standard projects, like a pole barn, are much simpler to determine. We’ll recommend a size that will solve your problem and give you the standard price for that size. For custom projects, we’ll design a tailored solution after our on-site evaluation and then present the solution to you.

Determine What Materials Will Be Used

Before the final quote is given, we do need to determine the materials that will be used for your project. Standard projects, again, are much simpler to determine. Metal pole barns come in 25 normal colors plus 9 choices of textured colors. Vinyl siding can be used on pole barns or remodel and have virtually unlimited color options. Custom projects, like additions, have many more materials to choose from, both interior and exterior. We’ll help you achieve your vision by recommending materials for these projects.

The Quoting Process

Now that we know what materials will be used, we give you our final quote. For standard jobs, like pole barns, we’ll give you a quote within one business day. Custom projects take more time but you should still receive our quote within a handful of business days. For pole barns, horse barns, and new construction projects, our quotes are final. No hidden fees with JM Riehl Builders. For remodels and additions, we strive to keep the final price within our quote but there are unexpected occurrences whenever working with an existing structure. After starting, we may encounter hidden decay that must be addressed before continuing with the new construction. We try to reduce these unexpected costs during our on-site evaluation, however, so that our quotes are as accurate as possible.

Once you review our final estimate and everything is satisfactory, you’ll sign and date the contract. Upon signing, we require a 25% deposit to confirm a spot on our schedule and begin ordering materials. If you’d like to make any changes to the project after signing, we’ll create a change order with its own cost and contract to be signed.

The Permitting Process

Before construction begins, permits are often required by your local municipality. Typically all new construction, additions, and alterations need either a zoning or building permit. Pole barns might not need a permit if it’s under 1,000 sqft. To acquire these permits, you’ll need to contact your local zoning office and work with them to fulfill all of the requirements. You can request JM Riehl to acquire permits on your behalf for a small additional cost.

All of the building permits you acquire will list its own inspection requirements. There will be a few inspections throughout the building process which JM Riehl will schedule. After the construction is complete, the inspector will visit the site to do a final inspection to ensure everything is completed. We will schedule the inspection on your behalf for no additional cost. If your project only needs a zoning permit, then no inspection will be required afterwards.

Scheduling the Job

The scheduling process begins when we provide your estimate. We’ll provide you with an estimated start date and then officially schedule the date once you sign the contract and make your deposit. Different jobs will take different amounts of time. Pole barns will take 3 to 4 days. Roofing typically takes a day or two to complete. Full exterior home renovations take 1 to 2 weeks. Any new construction, like a home addition, varies depending on the scope of the new construction.

What Happens Before and During Construction?

Our building materials are ordered in advance and delivered on the first day of work. Before we begin construction, we’ll mark off the dimensions of your structure and verify with you the location is correct.

During construction, we aim to be flexible around your lifestyle. We do, however, need a relatively flat area to keep our building materials during construction, whether it’s your driveway or yard. We ask that you prepare that space before the first day of construction. This might mean moving vehicles a safe distance away from the work area or moving yard/flower bed ornaments. Our on-site hours are generally from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. so we won’t be disruptive to your evening activities.

The Risk of Complications During a Job

No one likes to talk about them, but there are always risks of complications during construction. At JM Riehl Builders, we are upfront with our customers about any complications we could foresee so that there are no surprises. That being said, complications hardly ever occur. When they do, they’re often minor problems that are fixed immediately without any noticeable delay. On the rare occasion that there is a larger complication, we’ll meet with you to explain the problem and determine the best option to correct it.

One of the most common statements from customers on new construction projects is, “We did not realize our yard would be damaged.” We have to use heavy equipment, so damage to your grass is expected. This is easily fixed with a small tractor using a rototiller attachment and spreading grass seed. Add some landscaping around the building and it will make it look like the building was always there.

How Payments and Financing Works

As mentioned above, we require a 25% down payment upon signing of the contract. Projects over $40,000 require another 25% deposit before the project begins. Final payment (50-75%) is always due upon completion of the project. Any additional costs due to design changes or additions made by the customer are the responsibility of the customer and due on completion. Any unforeseen costs due to weather or incorrect materials ordered are covered by JM Riehl.

At this time, JM Riehl Builders does not offer any financing options. The 25% deposits and final payment are due in full with no deferred payments. We’ve worked with plenty of third party financiers in the past, however, so contact your local banks to review their offerings.

Contact Us with any Further Questions

If you have any further questions about how the construction process works, we’d be happy to answer! Contact us online or by calling (717) 756-0308 with any questions and we’ll get back to you shortly. We look forward to working with you!