Professional Service Agreement
Our Professional Service Agreement (PSA) ensures clarity and accuracy in your construction budget. Unlike the Cost-Plus model prone to surprise costs, we operate as a Fixed-Price builder, guaranteeing an accurate budget you can trust. Through our PSA, we offer a transparent process, allowing you to understand the exact cost of your project before committing to a construction contract.
How Does it Work?
When you reach out to us, a Project Planner will set up an Initial Consultation at your home to discuss your vision for the project. If you are planning a Custom Home, your Initial Consultation will be at our office. Be prepared to talk budgets, layouts, and timelines! Our team will use this information to help set expectations for how your anticipated investment aligns with the project scope, feasibility, and potential time frames. If you both feel that Ferguson Builders is a good fit, the Project Planner will provide you with a Professional Service Agreement.
The Professional Service Agreement (PSA) is a contract between you and Ferguson Builders stating that we will dedicate our team’s time to finding a custom solution to your project goals. This requires significant labor on the front end, so the contract includes a retainer fee that is credited toward your project if you decide to move forward.
What Do I Get?
For a remodel PSA, we conduct a Site Measure to inspect, measure, and record the space. For a Custom Home, we will conduct a site analysis of the lot purchased for topographical details such as slope, fill dirt, trees, and shrubbery. Once all the necessary information has been gathered, Our Team works behind the scenes to provide you with the following:
- Our Design Team’s expertise in structural technicalities, layouts & custom features
- As-built, Demo, and Remodel Floorplans (or Complete Floorplans for a Custom Home)
- Elevation Views of Finished Space
- Color Renderings of Finished Space
- A Comprehensive Lump-Sum Quote for Entire Project
The PSA also includes up to 2 revisions. Our Designers will work with you to add or remove scope and determine materials to fit the design to your needs and budget. Once you are satisfied with the design and the bottom line, we will proceed with the Construction Agreement!
Why Do We Use a PSA?
Many builders will advertise a “free” estimate – but this quote will only be accurate if it is based on a detailed design and thoroughly planned. The contractor must decide whether to throw a plan together in a few hours or invest weeks in the planning process. In both scenarios, this "free" design time must be covered by someone. Unfortunately, without a PSA, the clients who sign a construction agreement will experience higher costs to cover the planning time for everyone’s projects. This can quickly accumulate to thousands of dollars.
At Ferguson Builders, the PSA allows us to dedicate time specifically to your project. Your investment in the PSA covers the time required to thoroughly plan your project, and other clients invest in the time to plan theirs.
What Happens If I Do Not Move To Contract After The PSA?
Some clients use a PSA to develop a budget for planning, then come back to complete the project months or years later. In cases like this, all we need to do is update material and labor costs when they return to start their project! Other clients find the PSA process helpful in determining if the project exceeds their current budget. Because it contains all materials, labor, and permitting costs, the PSA helps them make an informed decision before moving forward with a project that will stretch them too far financially. Other pricing models, like the Cost-Plus model, could give you a low cost upfront and then add on costs after construction has already begun.
The upfront planning of the PSA empowers you to make a more informed decision for your home and ensures peace of mind throughout the construction process. Whether you move forward to construction or not, you will have a comprehensive plan, budget, and time frame for your project!