Frequently Asked Questions
| Question What type business is Schickel Construction Company? |
Answer Schickel Construction is a general contracting firm. We manage all aspects of a construction project from beginning to end. We supply the manpower, materials, and subcontractors necessary to accomplish the job. We provide the work force to achieve the majority of a project's tasks and may hire specialty trades people (such as plumbers, electricians, drywallers, or painters) as needed. |
| Question What is the history of your company? |
Answer Schickel Construction has been in business for over 15 years. We've successfully completed hundreds of building, remodeling, and renovation jobs throughout the community. We have over 110 years of combined construction experience. For a more detailed look at our company please read the About Us page. |
| Question What areas of New York does Schickel Construction work in? |
Answer The majority of our projects have been in and around the Ithaca New York area. |
| Question What type of projects does Schickel Construction undertake? |
Answer Our company undertakes all phases of residential and light commercial work - remodeling, renovations (standard and historic), additions, and new construction - anything from hanging a storm door to a million dollar custom home. |
| Question What does your company provide that other contractors may not? |
Answer We feel our attention to detail and quality workmanship give us an edge in accomplishing your project and exceeding your expectations. We pride ourselves in delivering any job on time and on budget! |
| Question Is your company fully insured? |
Answer Yes. We are a fully insured corporation and use only licensed and insured subcontractors to protect you, the customer, and ourselves. |
| Question What sort of warranties does your company provide? |
Answer All our materials and workmanship are warranted for one full year after project completion. Any and all material warranties carry over to the homeowner as well. Any defects in workmanship are promptly addressed and corrected to the homeowner's satisfaction. |
| Question Do you give free estimates? |
Answer Yes. Currently all are estimating services are free of charge whether you decide to hire us as your contractor or not. An estimate is in no way a contractual obligation. |
| Question Can I get other prices on my project once Schickel has given me an estimate? |
Answer We encourage our customers to get "bids" or "price out" their project to ensure they're getting a fair deal. We would like to caution you, however, to make sure you're comparing similar scopes of work. |
| Question How do I get an estimate on a project I wish to build? |
Answer All you need to do is call our main office or email us and set up an appointment for our estimator to come out and look over your project. Within a few days to a week you should have a price quote and a written description of the work it covers. |
| Question Once we agree on a price, what is the process for starting work? |
Answer After the signed contract is received, we will contact you to set up a "pre-construction" meeting where we will discuss particulars about your project (starting times, access to the work area, special requirements, etc.) and introduce you to the job foreman and project manager. Then, the work begins - all contracts have a "will begin in" and "will be completed in" number of day's clause to ensure you your project is scheduled. |
| Question What are a "Change Order" and an "Allowance"? |
Answer During the course of a project, the homeowner may want to eliminate or add other work to the scope of the job. This will result in a "change order" - simply put, a document requiring your signature to proceed with the changes to the job along with the credit (if work is to be eliminated) or the additional sum required (if work is added). An "allowance" is a cost placeholder in a contract that represents a sum of money dedicated towards an undecided aspect of the job. For instance, if a contract is signed and the type of carpeting in an addition hasn't been decided upon, an "allowance" may be placed in the contract telling you we have allowed a certain amount of money towards the expense of the undecided selection. When the selection is made, any amount under the allowance is credited towards the customer, and any amount over, is due the contractor. What an allowance does, is 1) help you see the true cost of your project without having to remember to set aside money for a certain item, and 2) permits a job to begin without every detail being decided beforehand. |
| Question Can you estimate a cost from a set of plans I already have? |
Answer Yes. On many occasions homeowners already have a set of blueprints or even sketches from which they want to get a feel for the expense of their project. |
| Question Does Schickel Construction provide design services? |
Answer Yes. On smaller projects such as remodels or renovations, we're happy to provide you with assistance designing your project - as much or as little assistance as you desire. On larger scale projects, we can recommend one of many local architects we've worked closely with through the years or with any architect you've already chosen to go with. We can also help out with the engineering aspects of a job such as beams or truss design. |
| Question Does Schickel Construction do work covered by my insurance company? |
Answer Yes. This is quite a frequent occurrence. Typically, before you have settled with your insurance company, we would provide you with a cost estimate and help you negotiate with your insurance company. |
| Question Will Schickel Construction provide financing for my project? |
Answer At this time, we are not set up to provide financing for our customers. However, this service may become available in the future. |
| Question How can I see some of the projects that you have completed? |
Answer We would be more than happy to set up a time to tour some of our completed projects that may relate to your own. We feel it's vital to see some of the contractor's work before making a decision. |
| Question How can I get a list of references that I may call? |
Answer Simply contact us by phone or email usand we'll promptly send you a list of references you may call at your leisure. |
| Question Can I do some of the work on my project myself in order to save money? |
Answer Many of our customers prefer to do some of the work on their project themselves both for cost savings purposes and for enjoyment. Generally, the tasks the homeowners wish to do themselves are left out of the contract - usually stated as NIC (Not In Contract). |
| Question Can I live in my house while the work is being done? |
Answer Almost all of our customers stay in they homes while the work is being done. Where possible, work areas are either partitioned or sealed off from the rest of the living environment to eliminate the spreading of dust, fumes, or noise. Most remodeling or renovation jobs are accomplished this way, and provide a great cost savings to the homeowner. Of course, total living space renovations may require other scenarios. |
| Question Do you work in my home while I'm away or at work? |
Answer Yes, usually the job requirements of our customers preclude them from taking extensive leaves of absences, leaving us to work while you're away. However, our foreman and carpenters are professional in their work habits and will respect your home and its belongings. We have never had a complaint from a homeowner about the behavior or actions of our people while working in their home. |
| Question Who do I contact if I have questions during the course of the project? |
Answer At the beginning of your project, you will receive all the business and cell phone numbers of the foreman on you job, the project manager, and the company owner as well. Usually the homeowner will voice their question or concern to the job foreman, who in turn will turn to the project manager if he is unable to adequately answer your concerns. You may, of course, contact the company owner at any time if you feel there is a problem with your project. Generally, on projects lasting more than a few weeks, we schedule weekly job meetings in order to review job progress, potential problems, homeowner selections, and any and all homeowner concerns. |
| Question What is your standard billing procedure? |
Answer On small-scale projects, the entire job will be satisfactorily completed before a billing is sent out. On larger projects spanning greater time periods, a billing schedule will generally be agreed upon as part of the contract negotiations. |
| Question What if something goes wrong after you've completed my project? |
Answer We will promptly respond to any concern or problem that may arise after your project is complete. It's best to contact the Project Manager or anyone at our main office as soon as the problem arises. |
| Question Who do I contact in case of emergencies during the night or weekends? |
Answer For all off-hour emergencies, call our main office @ 607-844-4790 and select option 4 to get a list of emergency phone numbers. |
| Question Who is responsible for decorating selections? |
Answer The homeowner is the decision maker for all design and most building decisions (the exception would be any structural aspects) for the entire project. On large-scale jobs, we provide the homeowner a list of selections that need to be made and the date they should be made by in order to complete the job on schedule. Job meetings are also used to review these selections and order the necessary items. |
| Question Do I have to choose my decorating selections from certain vendors? |
Answer We're happy to recommend vendors and suppliers we feel provide the widest range of goods that you may be looking for, however, anywhere the homeowner finds what they are looking for is the right place. |
| Question What's done at the end of the project to make sure everything is to my satisfaction? |
Answer Near project completion, a final meeting or "walkthrough" is held, with the homeowner(s), foreman, project manager, and sometimes company owner to review the entire project and note any "punch list" items (items not up to the homeowner's or our quality standards). These items are then corrected, and where projects warrant, a homeowner's manual is compiled, consisting of all product warranties, appliance instructions, paint colors, and other paperwork pertinent to the maintenance of the home or project. Any project is never officially "closed". We're always a phone call away from correcting any problem or addressing any concern you may have. |
