Share the project
Tell us the property location, intended use, approximate size, and must-have features.
Project planning and construction
A Clear Construction Process From Scope to Closeout
The sequence protects the project: understand the use, verify the site, define the scope, coordinate approvals and selections, build, inspect, and close out the agreed work.
- 27 years of experience
- Insured contractor
- Custom project planning
Four major phases
How Nichols Construction projects move forward
The exact steps vary by project type and jurisdiction, but these phases keep important decisions from being postponed until they become expensive changes.
Review the site and scope
The next step is shaped around access, grade, drainage, utilities, permits, structure, and finish selections.
Confirm the proposal
Review the written scope, allowances, exclusions, selections, schedule expectations, and payment terms before work begins.
Build and close out
Construction is coordinated through completion, walkthrough, punch-list items, and project-specific care information.
Detailed sequence
Decisions in the right order
1. Discovery and fit
- Confirm the property address and service availability
- Define intended use, dimensions, clearances, loads, and future needs
- Identify existing plans, surveys, photos, restrictions, and budget priorities
- Determine whether an initial site review or additional design work is needed
2. Site and scope development
- Review access, staging, grade, drainage, utilities, and finished elevation
- Coordinate structure, openings, materials, concrete, insulation, and related work
- Identify permit, zoning, engineering, utility, and inspection responsibilities
- Prepare the written proposal, options, exclusions, allowances, and assumptions
3. Preconstruction
- Approve the proposal and required change documents
- Finalize colors, profiles, doors, windows, equipment, and owner selections
- Confirm long-lead materials, site readiness, access, and schedule conditions
- Coordinate utility locating, permits, inspections, subcontractors, and delivery logistics
4. Construction and closeout
- Protect the site and sequence the work safely
- Communicate material, weather, access, or scope issues that affect the plan
- Complete required inspections and documented changes
- Walk through the completed scope, record punch items, and provide closeout information
Before signing
Read the complete written scope
Do not rely on assumptions that are not in the proposal. Ask for clarification whenever the scope, selection, responsibility, schedule, warranty, or payment language is unclear.
- Included labor and materials
- Optional items and allowances
- Explicit exclusions and owner responsibilities
- Permit, engineering, inspection, and utility responsibilities
- Payment schedule and change-order procedure
- Schedule conditions, weather, access, and material lead times
Process questions
Construction process FAQs
What information should I provide first?
Provide the property address, intended use, approximate dimensions, photos or plans, access conditions, major options, concrete and utility needs, and preferred timing.
When are permits reviewed?
Permit, zoning, setback, engineering, and inspection requirements should be identified before the schedule and final scope are treated as complete.
How are changes handled?
Changes should be documented in writing with their effect on price, schedule, materials, responsibilities, and inspections before the changed work proceeds.
What happens at completion?
The project should be reviewed against the written scope, remaining punch-list items should be documented, and project-specific care, warranty, and closeout information should be provided when applicable.