A. Working With Ramstar Builders

1. Our Philosphy—More than Just Building.

2. Why Select Ramstar Builders?

3. How do We Begin a Project with Ramstar Builders?

4. What Happens After the First Meeting?

5. Will Ramstar Builders build on My Lot?

6. What Services does Ramstar Builders offer?

7. What if I have My Own Architect?

8. Will I Know the Cost Before I Begin My Project?

9. How Do We Get Started?

B. Evaluating The Project Needs

1. How is Remodeling Different?

2. How Long Does Remodeling Take?

3. What Can I Expect During Remodeling?

4. What Can I Do to Make Sure a Project Stays on Schedule?

5. What Service Should I Expect after the Project is Complete?

C. Selecting the Right Contractor for Your Project

1. Why Do Some Contractors or Builders Cost More Than Others?

2. How can I tell if my Contractor is Licensed or Qualified to do the Type of Work that My Project Requires?

3. What Happens if I Hire an Unlicensed Builder to do My Job?

4. How Can I know if My Contractor Carries Worker’s Compensation Insurance?

5. What Happens if Someone gets Hurt on the Job and the General Contractor Doesn’t Carry Worker’s Compensation Insurance?

6. My Contractor says that they have General Liability Insurance. How can I Verify it?

7. If I Hire A Contractor Without General Liability Insurance, Who Covers or Insures the Finished Work?

A. Working with Ramstar Builders

1. Our Philosphy —More than Just Building.

Your home is your greatest and most important asset. We approach each project a personal touch in order to maximize your investment into your building project.

2. Why Select Ramstar Builders?

We are quality builders that are committed to high quality construction. We use top grade materials to ensure our clients can maximize their return on investment. Our breadth of experience ranges from customer homes, to home remodels and commercial property. We have more than 15 years of quality building experience.

3. How do we begin a project with Ramstar Builders?

Any project, whether a new home, remodel, or commercial venture, begins with a conference to help us understand our client’s objectives, investment priorities, budget, and overall scope of the project. This is Ramstar’s “Phase One” of our working relationships with all clients. Our approach is to determine the project requirements as quickly as possible so that we can help our customer’s prioritize the project and establish an appropriate budget to accomplish their goals.

4. What happens after the first meeting?

- Phase Two is to determinate the initial parameters of project.

- Phase Three is to match the project requirement with the site conditions and develop a realistic time table and plan of action. Then, as the project moves forward from the conceptual to design phase, a project budget is developed and the scope of work established through a “Project Bid.”

5. Will Ramstar Builders Build on My Lot?

Ramstar Builders is a custom homebuilder, in the strictest sense of the word, building in fine neighborhoods. In addition, our contacts in the industry provide us with the resources to help you design your home to take best advantage of your home site and views.

6. What Services does Ramstar Builders Offer?

As a licensed General Contractor, we offer the expertise to secure properties, direct architects and engineers, coordinate the efforts of interior designers and oversee skilled subcontractors - every phase of construction from concept to completion.

7. What if I Have My Own Architect?

Ramstar Builders offers the technical expertise and experience to translate your architect's plans into the home that you desire. Having worked with a variety of firms over the years, we have developed a rapport with numerous firms and understand the architect's requirements.

8. Will I Know the Cost Before I Begin My Project?

As a general contractor and custom builder, Ramstar Builders provides a full service turnkey operation. Pricing is determined before we begin your project.

9. How Do We Get Started?

It is easy to get your project started. There are three ways to reach us:

Tel (during normal business hours): 415-305-0509

Email: info@ramstarbuilders.com

Or go to our contact page

B. Evaluating The Project Needs

1. How is Remodeling Different?

Remodeling requires careful scheduling and a thorough understanding of the work to be undertaken. When working with an existing structure, there may be unforeseeable conditions (such as rusty pipes behind a wall, water damage, dangerous wiring, mold, termites, wood rot, etc.) that alter the scope of the project and thus the timetable. A good contractor takes care of reducing the overall impact by protecting the home, making sure it is secure, and keeping the job as clean as possible. There should be a clear understanding as to when and how workers will have access to the property, especially if the owner remains in residence through the construction period.

2. How Long Does Remodeling Take?

The time varies based on the scope of the work and uncontrollable factors such as the weather or unforeseen conditions. A bathroom-remodeling project may take just a few weeks, while a two-story addition may take six months or more. Each job varies with the extent of modifications and availability of products. A good contractor will begin planning the project well in advance of equipment and workers arriving.

3. What Can I Expect During Remodeling?

Your home will become a work site for a period of time. Disruption can be minimized if you prepare. Agree in advance with your contractor on the start and stop times for workers and if working on Saturdays will be permitted. Determine where workers will park and the placement of sanitation facilities. Review all the details of a workday with your contractor to achieve the most satisfactory conditions for your family and your work force. Try to keep your cars clear of the job during work hours to allow tradesmen and their equipment the maximum access and to prevent inadvertent damage to your cars. Make sure phone numbers for you are readily available, and that you have all appropriate phone numbers to contact your contractor in an emergency.

4. What Can I Do to Make Sure a Project Stays on Schedule?

There are three key areas of client responsibility during the project. First, as soon as the project contract is signed, you must quickly select and order any materials that require client’s selection can be made timely in order to meet installation deadlines. Remember that custom or specialty items generally require long lead times to order.

Second, set aside time for regular meetings or telephone calls to review progress and respond to questions from Ramstar Builders.

And, third, realize that any changes you make after the contract is signed can affect the schedule, but also the budget.

5. What Service Should I Expect after the Project is Complete?

Quality control is important to concluding any project. We will provide our client with a “punch list” to help identify items or details that need our attention. Normally there are a few items that will need adjustment as a new home settles in spite of the builder’s best effort to deliver a trouble-free product. Choosing the right contractor makes all the difference, particularly when clients need post-construction service.

C. Selecting the Right Contractor for Your Project

1. Why Do Some Contractors or Builders Cost More Than Others?

Not all builders deliver a high-quality product. Not all builders are licensed or provide mandated worker’s compensation insurance. Ramstar Builders does. We use top grade materials that ensure long-life and performance, which maximizes your return on your investment. We are licensed and provide worker’s compensation insurance to our workers, which protects our client’s from risk in the event of an accident or injury on the job site.

2. How can I tell if my Contractor is Licensed or Qualified to do the Type of Work that My Project Requires? The Contractor’s State License Board has a website to check the status of every legal contractor licensed to do business in the State of California. The web address is http://www.cslb.ca.gov

3. What Happens if I Hire an Unlicensed Builder to do My Job? The old saying is “Caveat Emptor”, or buyer beware. We never recommend work to be performed by unlicensed person. The best price might not mean the best deal, particularly in the event of work site industry or accident occurs.

4. How Can I know if My Contractor Carries Worker’s Compensation Insurance? A Certificate of Insurance for worker’s compensation insurance can generally be provided by the insurance carrier within the same business day. Ramstar Builders will furnish a Certificate of Insurance before any project begins.

5. What Happens if Someone gets Hurt on the Job and the General Contractor Doesn’t Carry Worker’s Compensation Insurance? If a worker is injured and the contractor does not have worker’s compensation insurance, the worker can pursue the entity or person with the most assets, which is generally the property owner.

6. My Contractor says that they have General Liability Insurance. How can I Verify it? If there is a product failure or latent defect in the construction and the contractor does not carry general liability insurance, there may be no recourse in the event that your contractor decides not to fix the problem or is no longer in business. To verify coverage, a Certificate of Insurance should be delivered from the insurance carrier verifying insurance coverage of the builder or contractor, including coverage limits. Ramstar Builders carriers General Liability Insurance and provides a certificate of General Liability Insurance before the job begins.

7. If I Hire A Contractor Without General Liability Insurance, Who Covers or Insures the Finished Work? If the contractor or builders does not carry general liability insurance, the client or homeowner at the time of construction can be held ultimately responsible for the workmanship or defects in the event of failure or latent defects in the construction.