FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Value: In today’s business, where budgeting is critical, a full service design-build company like Totalplan Inc. can offer you (the client) the best value available in the marketplace. Our day-to-day involvement in the construction industry, keeps us informed on the constantly changing construction values and issues allowing us to save you money!

2. Convenience: With our ‘Totalplan Inc’ approach to your project, we minimize the number of issues and people you have to deal with. We handle the details, allowing you to concentrate on running your business.

3. Savings: Through our control of all the individual phases of the design / build process as a whole, we are able to expedite our projects, and in turn, save you time and money. In addition, this controlled aspect in a design-build project enables us to target the budget on the initial design and eliminate costly redesign charges that can often arise as a result of finishes specifications and construction modifications.

A typical office project of 5,000 – 10,000 sq. ft. takes approximately eight to ten weeks from the beginning of the design process to the completion of construction and tenant occupancy. This time frame is wholly dependent upon the level of finish selected, but, as project time lines can be controlled relative to the specifications of materials and their availability, some projects can be completed in as little as three weeks.

The value, or ‘cost per square foot’, of any project is determined by a wide variety of factors, and is difficult to present with accuracy until a project’s scope has been reviewed. A typical “cost per square foot’ range would be between $30 and $75, but, as the type of finishes used in the project effect this cost, these estimates should only be used as a guide. Some of the project finishes that determine this cost include; the type and quality of doors, carpets, lighting, wall coverings, feature millwork selected, and others. Totalplan provides planning, budgeting and estimating services that allow us to predetermine a ‘cost per square foot’ for your project, and then carry the project through to completion.

Space considerations have always been a priority of all business owners and always will be. Shared positions have demanded mobile workstations for office users. Flexible work schedules have given rise to the demand for new amenity areas such as relaxation areas or exercise areas. The changes in computer technologies have created new configurations of workstations. Ergonomics issues are prevalent. Generally, there are numerous and often complex issues that must be considered when planning for client moves or expansions. Growth in some industries has been exponential and therefore planning considerations are not always well defined. In short there is a growing number of challenges for all designers to take into consideration.