How We Work - CCC OF SWFL

Creative Custom Carpentry of Southwest Florida (CCCofSWFL)

Serving Southwest Florida · cccswfl.com · cccofswfl@gmail.com · 239-898-6162

Every project is different, so every quote is built just for you. Here is what happens along the way, so you know what to expect and everything that goes into doing the job right.

We are not a “one-trick pony”

One-trick pony: a company that does only one thing, the same way, every time.

Many companies do just one simple kind of job, so one contract fits every job they do. A trim company might count the doors and charge a price per door. A flooring company might measure the square feet and multiply by a price. Their work is repetitive, so their contracts are too.

CCCofSWFL is not a one-trick pony. We do custom work, and custom work takes extra effort that repetitive work doesn’t. One client may want a tongue-and-groove ceiling, the next a coffered ceiling, new floors, or a media wall, and those are just a few of the services we offer. That’s why we design, price and write every quote and contract individually, to fit YOU and your project.

1. Getting to know your project

Initial phone call. You reach out to us by call or text (8 AM to 8 PM, any day; we like texting because it keeps everything in one place). If you have them, share pictures of the space as it is now, pictures of the look you want, and a description of the project.
Setting up a meeting. We find a meeting time that works for both of us.
Initial meeting at your home. We talk through the project in the space itself and take measurements, so we can confirm everything you shared on the phone.
- Our company motto: Our goal is to provide a finished product that EXCEEDS your original project concept. During the meeting, our designer talks through your project with you and may suggest changes or additions that could make the end result even better. Your wishes always come first, and we build what you decide. We simply enjoy helping you get the very best result, so we’ll share ideas that you’re welcome to include in the project.
Is it a good fit? We work under a roof, never where Mother Nature can rain on us. That means we’re primarily interior, and we can also work on your lanai or entry as long as there’s a roof over it. We focus on all-new work in a whole area or room rather than small repairs.

2. Gathering the details

Your information: names for the quote and contract, the project address, an email for the contract, and the best phone number.
Your goals: what you want in your own words, when you hope to have it done, which floor the space is on, any materials you already bought, and, if you’d like, a budget idea (it helps us design to fit).
Photos: the whole wall with a bit of the ceiling, floor and walls on each side, plus windows, doors, vents and trim. One photo at a time with a short description works best.
Measurements and ideas: a floor plan or sketch with numbers if you have one, and any inspiration pictures (Pinterest is great). Many clients have AI-generated pictures of the look they want; we gather those too, along with all your other information.
Far away or simple projects: for some projects (media walls, ceilings, beams, or homes farther away), you can send us the photos and measurements instead of a site meeting.

3. Design

Drawings on your actual room. We clean up photos of your space and draw the design right onto them, to scale, with measurements.
Design steps you can see. As ideas change, we save each version, so you can look back and choose what you like best.
Finishes that match your home. We pick colors and finishes that go with what you already have in view, like your kitchen cabinets.
Quality cabinets, fitted to your space. We use quality factory-made cabinets and fit them to your room with our own custom fillers, panels and trim, so it all looks built-in and seamless. The cabinet doors keep their durable factory finish.
Countertops. We don’t make countertops, but we give you a list of trusted countertop makers. You choose one and work with them directly, and we coordinate the fit.

4. Pricing your project

We shop around for you. We request prices and delivery times from many suppliers for each kind of material, so your quote is accurate and competitive.
Comparing suppliers. We compare price, delivery time and reviews to pick the best options.

5. Your quote

A quote built for your project. It describes the work and any options, the scope step by step, the materials we supply, what we ask of you, and what’s not included.
Everything that goes into the job. Besides the building itself, your quote includes the days and work that make a project go smoothly:
- Shopping days: going store to store to pick out, check and buy materials.
- Delivery days: bringing the materials to your home and unloading them into your garage.
- Garage set-up: protecting your garage floor and setting up our tools and materials there. Your garage becomes our workshop for the project.
- Protecting your home: floor protection, drop cloths and coverings for the work area and the path from the garage.
- Taking up the protection when the work is done.
- Cleaning the floors after the protection comes up.
- Garage breakdown: removing our tools, leftover materials and the garage floor protection.
- Waste removal: hauling it away if included in your quote, or leaving it neatly piled for your trash day.
- Scaffolding when needed, and workshop time.
Payments. Each part of the quote has a to-start amount (materials and everything needed before work begins, due at signing) and payments as each phase of the work is finished.
Clear pricing. Our price is already our best price. If you’d like it lower, we can change the scope before signing. Once work starts, the price doesn’t change unless we both sign a written change order.

6. Contract

Contract and cost sheet. When you accept the quote, we turn it into a detailed contract with a simple cost sheet and, for some projects, a to-scale drawing, signed by both of us.
Terms and conditions. Please read the terms and conditions posted on cccswfl.com; they’re part of every contract.
Getting started. The to-start payment is due at signing.

7. Ordering, shopping and delivery

Ordering. We order the items that are made for your project, like cabinets or ceiling planking. They’re shipped to our workshop when ready.
Shopping days. We go store to store for lumber, trim, hardware and supplies, check the quality in person, and load our trailer.
Delivery days. We bring everything to your home and unload it into your garage. Nothing is shipped straight to your home without us.
Garage set-up. We protect your garage floor and set up our tools and materials. We build your project right there at your home.
Before we arrive: please clear the work area and the path to it, take down wall hangings and breakables, and make room in the garage.

8. Building your project

Protecting your home before any work begins; scaffolding if needed.
The build. Removal of anything old, careful layout, then building in your garage and installing in your home, phase by phase.
Finishing. Filling, caulking, sanding and painting for a smooth, seamless look, with cabinet doors and fronts put back on last.
Electrical work is done only together with your licensed electrician.
Changes are always written up and signed by both of us.
Phase payments as each phase is finished.
Countertops are measured and installed by the maker you chose.

9. Finishing up

Final touches: fixtures put back, scaffolding taken down.
Protection comes up and floors get cleaned.
Garage breakdown: our tools and leftovers out, garage floor protection up, garage swept.
Waste removal as agreed in your quote.
Walk-through together and a final punch list.
Before-and-after photos of the finished work, and your final invoice.
Final payment, and a thank-you. We’d love a review if you’re happy with your new space!

Every project is done with CCCofSWFL honor and integrity. We’re insured, and we treat your home like our own.