How We Build Together

How an Authentic Construction project moves from first conversation to signed contract and permits — so you always know what happens next and what it costs.

We sit down at your home to understand the vision, walk the space, and set an honest working budget. This is where we align on scope and money before anyone draws a line.

Questions we'll work through together:

• What are your goals? What do you want this space to do that it doesn't today?
• What's your budget? A realistic all-in number, including a contingency for surprises.
• What's your timeline? Any hard dates — a baby, an event, selling the home?
• How long will you stay? Forever home, or resale in a few years? This drives finish choices.
• Scope: Must-haves vs. nice-to-haves. Where can we flex if numbers get tight?
• Finish level: Builder-grade, mid-range, or high-end? Any inspiration photos?
• Living situation: Will you stay in the home during construction?
• Decision makers: Who signs off, and how do you want to communicate?

You leave this meeting with a shared understanding of scope, a realistic budget range, and confidence that we're the right fit — at no cost to you.

We translate the conversation into a first design — a rough floor plan and layout so you can see the concept, react to it, and confirm the direction before investing in full plans.

• A preliminary floor plan / layout sketch showing the proposed changes
• A rough order-of-magnitude budget range tied to that layout
• One round of revisions so the concept genuinely fits how you live

This is a low-commitment step designed to make sure we're building the right thing before spending on detailed drawings.

Preliminary Plan — Starting at $500, fully credited toward your project when you proceed.

Once the concept is approved, we develop the complete construction drawing set — the documents needed to price accurately, pull permits, and build without guesswork.

The full set typically includes:

• Dimensioned floor plans, elevations, and sections
• Structural details and engineering where required
• Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical layouts
• Selections framework for finishes, fixtures, and materials

These plans become the single source of truth for the estimate, the permit application, and every trade on the job.

Note: Many smaller projects don't require a full set of plans — in those cases, this step and its cost simply don't apply. We'll tell you up front whether your project needs a full plan set.

Full Plan Set — Starting at $2,500, credited toward your project when you build with us.

Before detailed design work begins, we formalize it with a Design Agreement. This protects both of us and keeps the project moving on clear terms.

• Defines the design scope, deliverables, and fee
• Sets revision rounds and how changes are handled
• Confirms how design fees credit toward construction

With approved plans and a firm price, you authorize us to pull permits and we sign the construction contract. This is the green light to build.

• You authorize Authentic Construction to submit for permits with Mecklenburg County
• We finalize the fixed construction price and detailed cost breakdown
• Contract covers scope, schedule, draw/payment schedule, warranty, and change-order process
• Both parties sign — and we schedule your start date

From here, your project moves into construction with transparent pricing, scheduled draws, and open communication at every stage.

Book a free consultation today.

Authentic Construction · Charlotte, North Carolina
📞 (704) 719-9775 · ✉️ info@authenticconst.com · 🌐 authenticconst.com