Skip to content
PHR Design Build — home
Butler's pantry cabinetry, an example of detailed preconstruction planning

Design + Preconstruction

Plan before demo.

Layout, selections, scope, and estimate — settled before construction begins. PHR Design Build helps homeowners make the big decisions on paper, where changes cost the least.

For homeowners who want to get it right the first time.

  • You're considering a kitchen, bath, whole-home renovation, or addition and want to understand scope and cost before committing.
  • You're thinking about moving walls, changing the layout, or adding space, and need to know what's feasible.
  • You've collected bids that don't match each other and aren't sure what's actually included.
  • You have ideas or plans, but no clear path from design to construction.

This is the part of a renovation most homeowners never see priced separately, and it's where projects are won or lost. Design and preconstruction is where the layout gets resolved, the selections get made, the scope gets written down, and the estimate stops being a guess. Every hour spent here is an hour not spent making decisions in a torn-open house.

What’s Included

  • Existing-conditions review and measurement
  • Space planning and layout development
  • Design direction and material palette
  • Visualization and drawings
  • Selections management — cabinetry, stone, tile, plumbing, lighting, hardware
  • Scope development and written specification
  • Detailed estimating
  • Trade partner coordination and preliminary scheduling
  • Permit documentation

What actually matters on this work

Decisions before demolition
Selections finalized in advance let us order long-lead items early and keep the schedule from stalling on a backordered fixture.
A scope you can actually read
A written scope is what makes a number meaningful. Without it, two estimates for the same project aren't comparable.
Design informed by cost
Because we build what we design, cost implications surface while the drawing can still change — not after it's been priced.

The most expensive decisions are the ones made too late.

Moving a wall after framing, changing cabinets after they're ordered, or finding a structural issue mid-demo adds weeks and cost. Most of those problems trace back to a scope that was never fully defined.

Preconstruction moves those decisions to the beginning, when they cost the least to make. Selections are finalized before demo, so backorders don't stall the schedule. The scope is written down, so the price actually means something.

How It Works

From first conversation to construction-ready.

  1. 01

    Consultation

    Understand the home, project goals, priorities, and desired outcome.

  2. 02

    Design & Planning

    Develop the layout, project direction, scope, selections, and visual concepts.

  3. 03

    Preconstruction

    Finalize scope, estimate, trade coordination, scheduling, materials, and construction planning.

  4. 04

    Construction

    PHR manages the construction process, trades, schedule, communication, and quality control.

  5. 05

    Completion

    Final walkthrough, project closeout, and turnover.

You’ll know the scope, the selections, and the number before construction starts.

Start Planning Your Project

Projects We Plan

Planning for every kind of remodel.

Design and preconstruction led by Jennifer Valdes, CRD — NARI Certified Remodeling Designer. Meet the team

Related work

All projects

Common Questions

Before you start.

Start Planning Your Project
Do I need plans before I contact you?
No. Many clients start with ideas, photos, or a list of what isn't working. If you already have plans, we'll review them for buildability and cost.
Am I obligated to build with PHR?
No. Planning gives you a clear scope and direction either way. Most clients continue to construction with us because the team that planned the work is the team that builds it.
Why not just collect three bids?
Bids built on different assumptions can't be compared. A written scope means the number reflects what will actually be built.
How long does planning take?
It depends on scope — a bathroom moves faster than an addition. We'll outline a timeline after the first conversation.
Can you handle structural changes and additions?
Yes. Wall removals, layout changes, and additions are planned with engineering and permitting in mind from the start.
Can I talk to a designer before starting a project?
Yes. A paid 30- or 60-minute consult with our NARI Certified Remodeling Designer is available by video or in person, and the fee is credited toward a Design + Preconstruction agreement signed within 90 days.

Not Ready to Start a Project?

Book a 30- or 60-minute consult with a certified remodeling designer.

By video or in person. Your full consult fee is credited toward a Design + Preconstruction agreement signed within 90 days.

Book a Designer Consult

Start Your Project

Tell us about your home.

Share a few details about the space and what you'd like to change. We'll follow up to schedule a consultation and walk the project with you.