McNamara Contracting

We follow a structured process designed to establish clarity, confirm feasibility, and eliminate surprises before construction ever begins.

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It Starts With a Call

 We take time to discuss your goals and how you want to live in the space. We gather information about the existing home; we discuss goals an appropriate budget for the project being described. ​

By the end of this call, we’ll both know whether the project possible and whether our values and expectations generally align. If it does, we schedule a site visit.

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Site Walk & Real-World Evaluation

The site visit allows us to evaluate what actually drives cost and buildability:

• Land, topography, access.

• Existing structures, walls, utilities.

• Zoning, setbacks, and technical constraints

After our site walk is complete we move into preliminary estimating. 

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Preliminary Design & Budget Alignment

With the information from the call and site visit, we move into early planning. Depending on the project, this may include:

• Developing a conceptual floor plan

• Reviewing similar existing plans to establish layout and scale

• Discussing the general level of finishes and design direction

At this stage, we’re not specifying exact materials, assemblies, or product selections. We’re defining scope but reducing the number of assumptions made. Using this information, we prepare a project estimate that is within approximately 5% of the final target number.

This allows both sides to confirm that the project can be built within budget before deeper design begins.

By this point, If we’ve built rapport, established trust, and confirmed that the project is viable we move to pre-construction. ​

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Pre-Construction: Defining the Project Before We Build

Once we agree to move forward, the project enters a formal Pre-Construction phase. This is a paid professional service where we replace assumptions with clarity.

During pre-construction, we:

• Develop permit ready plans in-house

• Finalize layout, structure, and building details

• Define materials, assemblies, and construction methods

• Coordinate with engineers, designers, and subcontractors

• Establish detailed specifications and job-specific pricing

• Identify allowances versus fixed-scope items

• Develop a project schedule that can be adhered to. 

This is far more than a set of building plans; it's a plan for success.

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Construction With Confidence

Because the planning is complete, construction proceeds with:

• Fewer change orders

• Clear expectations on both sides

• Better quality control

• A smoother, more predictable build experience

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Why Our Process Works

We don’t believe in quick estimates or vague assumptions. We believe in doing the work up front, so your project is built intentionally, not reactively.

If you want the fastest possible number, we’re probably not the right fit. But if you want accuracy, transparency, and a builder who takes responsibility for the details, our process is designed to protect both your investment and your experience.

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If you’re ready to start with a conversation, we’d be glad to talk.