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Q & A
Whether it is creating a new custom home, designing a remarkable renovation to a current or historic home, or building a lakefront vacation or retirement home, managing the details is often a challenging task. To make your experience as pleasurable as possible and to give you important information, we have provided you with the questions and answers that are most frequently asked. If you are considering building a new home, or have already begun the process, the information contained here will undoubtedly help you along the way.
Q.
I'm looking for land and want to build.
A.
Midlothian, Inc. own two tracts of land totaling 100 acres available for 3+ acre building sites 8-15 minutes from the VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital. We also own lots in various price ranges at Lake Gaston including Main Lake and Interior Lots with deeded boat slips. Gaston is located just one and a half hours down from I85 from Richmond and about 15 minutes from South Hill.
Q.
If I already own a piece of property, how do I go about contacting a builder to develop plans to build a custom home on my property?
A.
All you need to do is CONTACT US.
Q.
How does the design process work? How long does it take?
A.
We meet and discuss your ideas, desires and budget. The owner remits a fee of $500-$3500 for the design services. .
We will design the floor plan and meet to "fine tune" it. We'll make changes to that as necessary and review those with the owner and design the elevation for review. Once we are settled on a floor plan and elevation, we will bid a "turn key" job. If that price is more than your budget, we'll make suggestions for savings as far as amenities and design that can lower your cost but still give you a "WOW". These changes we suggest are not going to cause someone to look at your home and say "wonder why they didn't do..." or "that looks like they ran out of money." We will rebid and work to get your home within your budget.
Upon signing the construction agreement, the fee is refunded to the owner, virtually making the design services free of charge.
Our plans may not be used by owners or other builders from which to build.
The design process is and important one and can often take several months. It's never too early to start. We are also happy to work to place your special pieces of furniture and rugs.
Architects design great street appeal and things that look proportionate. Engineers make it sound and sturdy. We combine and coordinate those professions for you but go a step further. We add our creativity, product knowledge, and experience to give your home an overall aesthetic appeal on your budget that's breathtaking and makes everyone say "WOW!"
Q.
I've not looked at plans and I have some magazine pictures I like. How do I proceed?
A.
Call us at 1.888.461.2300 and we'll schedule a meeting. Bring your pictures and your ideas and desires. We'll discuss the design phase and go from there.
Q.
What do I do if I have my own plans drawn by an architect?
A.
Great! We can look at your property and bid from those plans and specifications.
Q.
How many months does it usually take to build a home?
A.
Six - ten months depending on size and detail. We schedule with our suppliers well in advance and assist with your selections if you so desire. Therefore, all runs smoothly with little or no "down" time. We want your building experience to be a pleasurable one.
Q.
How does the free decorating service and assistance work?
A.
We will set up appointments and accompany you or your spouse to our various suppliers early during the building process. Or, we can discuss your tastes and bring you samples, whichever is more pleasurable and fits your time constraints. We'll share preferences of past customers pertaining to functionality. We'll share the suppliers feedback on various products and their quality and durability.
Q.
How did you decide to become a general contractor?
A.
I never planned to be a general contractor. Having been an art major, I enjoyed teaching art (K-6) for several years. I quit teaching when our children were young.
About the time both of our children were school age, a Dr. and Mrs. Blackwell Evans from New Orleans knocked at my door in Kenbridge, VA. Mrs. Evans is a geneologist and explained that the Blackwells, who built our home "Midlothian" in 1790, were their ancestors. The Evans, while tracing their "roots", were also looking for a builder to restore their 1800's family home they owned just 3 miles from my antebellan home, "Midlothian". After a few weeks of contacting builders of no avail that we had recommended, my husband and Dr. Evans decided I should become a general contractor! I "geared up" to meet the challenge with a used 4-wheel drive pick up and the help of four wonderful retired gentlemen, one consulting and guiding me, one teaching me to bid, and the other two working as skilled and very experienced carpenters. (All of these had retired as owners of and/or employees of a large commercial construction company in Kenbridge). I was, at first, really just a glorified "gopher" in a pick up truck. I would have been lost without these senior citizens as they taught me everything I know.
So, my first job was restoring and renovating "Bryn Derwen" for the Evans. I drew my plans and designs for additions, porches, baths, closets, etc. and faxed them to Mrs. Evans. She drew on them and faxed them back. As a team, we achieved their goals for design, construction and remodeling. From that point forward, we continued with renovation work and new home construction. I received my Class A license, my company grew by word of mouth and I have been in the construction business since 1988.
