Our Process
Most builders ask you to commit to the whole project up front, then price it from incomplete information. Ironwood works differently. We move through defined decision points, and at every stage you receive better information and another opportunity to continue, recalibrate, or stop. The objective is to identify conflicts while they are still easier and less expensive to solve—before substantial time and money are committed to design or construction.
A More Responsible Path to Construction
Our process is built around defined decision points rather than one large commitment made up front.
1. Initial Consultation
What happens: We discuss what you’d like to accomplish, your investment expectations, and how Ironwood works.
Objective: Determine whether the project and the working relationship appear to be a good fit.
You receive: A clear understanding of how we work and whether it’s worth moving to the next step.
What it does not promise: This is not a construction price or a commitment to build.
2. Scope & Range
What happens: We develop a preliminary scope of work, identify major assumptions, and establish a preliminary budget range.
Objective: Determine whether your project and anticipated investment are reasonably aligned before significant design expense is incurred.
You receive: A preliminary scope, key assumptions, and a budget range.
What it does not promise: A range is not a fixed price; it’s a check on alignment before you invest in design.
3. Project Development & Proposal Preparation
What happens: Plans are developed, selections are made, and the property is reviewed with the appropriate trades. Actual project information progressively replaces preliminary assumptions.
Objective: Refine scope and pricing using real information rather than assumptions.
You receive: Developed plans, selections, and trade-informed pricing detail.
What it does not promise: Scope can still be adjusted here; nothing is locked until the proposal.
4. Fixed-Price Construction Proposal
What happens: Once the project is sufficiently defined, Ironwood prepares a detailed construction proposal based on the agreed scope, plans, selections, and pricing.
Objective: Give both parties a responsible, fixed-price basis to begin construction.
You receive: A fixed-price proposal for the defined scope, with limited actual-cost items clearly identified.
What it does not promise: Owner-requested changes, concealed conditions, and other legitimate factors can still affect a defined scope; those are identified transparently, not hidden.
Ironwood focuses on custom homes and major remodeling projects (remodeling begins at $100,000). If that’s the kind of project you’re planning, an initial consultation is the place to start.
