What to Expect On Your Path to a More Comfortable Home

Phase 1 – Discussion and Discovery

Initial Contact and Project Discussion

After completing our online contact form, we will follow up via email within 1-2 business days. This is your opportunity to describe your project, ask questions, and gather some basic information about our process. If we seem to be a good fit for one another, you can schedule a phone call with Matt Williams (owner/general manager) to further discuss your project.

Onsite Consultation and Estimate

During this step, the Straight Line team will visit your home for a complimentary on-site consultation. We will gather additional information about your project, assess for any structural and logistical challenges, discuss general layout options (including design opportunities and limitations), provide a general estimate, and explain our process including our Design Retainer Agreement.

Design Agreement and Deposit

When you decide to move forward with our company, we will schedule another on-site meeting to guide you through our Design Retainer Agreement and discuss the next steps. At this time, we request a 5% design retainer fee to proceed with the next phase of the project.

Phase 2 – Design & Planning

Field Measure Meeting

Our team will take detailed measurements of your space to ensure accuracy. We will also take "before" photos to document the initial condition.

Design Consult and Qualification

The initial design meeting will be in your home with our interior designer. We will also ask you to fill out our design questionnaire to gather more details about your wants and needs for the space.

Design Concept Drawings

At this meeting, the designer will present 1-3 layout options. These may include computer renderings and/or hand sketches that are drawn to scale. With your input, we will start refining and re-sketching the layout and design features. The number of meetings required for this process can vary from 2 to 5, depending on the speed of the client's decision-making.

Interior Material Selections

We carefully select interior materials such as flooring, tiles, cabinets, paint, plumbing, electrical fixtures, and decorative pieces to perfectly match your style, meet your specific needs, and align with your budget.

Finalize Design and Contract

The purpose of the final proposal meeting is to review the design details, product and material specifications, and final proposal prior to contract signing. This meeting is typically attended by the contractor, interior designer, and structural designer. We will also discuss in more detail the payment process and preliminary project schedule. The contract signing will be scheduled within 1-2 weeks of the final proposal meeting. At this meeting, we will review the contract in detail and both parties will sign an agreement. The first payment is due at this time and we will present you with a proposed project start date and schedule.

Obtain Trade Building Permits

Our team has a comprehensive understanding of the Portland permitting process. We will expertly navigate through all the required steps to secure the essential building permits for your project.

Phase 3 – Production

Site Care and Demolition

Before demolition starts, the area is prepped to prevent unnecessary damage. Our skilled carpenters will carefully remove unwanted fixtures, walls, and flooring to make room for the planned construction. During the demolition process, we strive to maintain the integrity and comfort of your home with weatherproofing and zipper walls to prevent excess dust and debris.

Construction

Depending on the scope of your project, the construction phase will take anywhere from 6 to 16 weeks (on average). This phase includes structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing installation, followed by drywall, paint, flooring, and cabinets. During construction, we will maintain weatherproofing and zipper wall barriers to ensure that your home remains as comfortable as possible during the transformation.

Final Cleanup

In the home stretch of the production phase, we’ll run through our detailed checklist to ensure that no loose end is left untied. From doorknobs to light bulbs, all of the finishing elements come together in this exciting step.

Phase 4 – Post Production

Final Walk Through and Touch-ups

After the dust has settled and you’ve had some time to get comfortable in your new space, we’ll return for a final visit to ensure that all of your household’s needs have been met, and plan for any touch-ups or adjustments (as needed).

Client Survey and Reviews

We highly value your feedback and would greatly appreciate your input. We are eager to hear your thoughts and suggestions in order to continually improve our services.

Professional After Photos

Our in-house photographer will capture high-resolution “after” images of the completed project for you to share with friends and family.