From quote to finished building,
in six phases.
Every project moves through the same set of steps. The timing stretches or compresses depending on whether you are building ag-exempt or county-permitted, but the order is the same: quote, visit, bid, contract, build, closeout.
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Phase 1
Quote request
What you do
Tell us what you want to build, where, and what scope you have in mind. Use the quote form or call.
What we do
Read your request, ask a few clarifying questions if needed, and schedule a project review.
Timing: Same or next business day
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Phase 2
Project review
What you do
Be available to go over your project for 30 to 60 minutes. Have an idea of where the building goes and what you want to keep inside it.
What we do
Review your project, visiting the property when it helps — access, slope, and any existing structures. Talk through options, eave heights, doors, and the differences between ag-exempt and county-permitted paths if relevant.
Timing: Scheduled within 1 to 2 weeks
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Phase 3
Written bid
What you do
Review the bid. Ask questions. Request adjustments to size, doors, finish, options.
What we do
Write a formal bid as a clear base price plus itemized additions. No opaque line items. Every option is listed so you can see what each one costs.
Timing: Typically within 1 week of the project review
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Phase 4
Contract + plans
What you do
Sign the contract and pay the initial deposit. Confirm site readiness. On county-permitted projects, submit the permit packet we prepare to your county.
What we do
Countersign. Prepare the full plan set — including engineer-stamped structural plans on county-permitted projects — and hand it to you to file with the county. Coordinate concrete and any subcontracted trades.
Timing: Plans: about 2 weeks for ag-exempt; on county-permitted jobs, county review after you submit adds time that varies by county
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Phase 5
Build
What you do
Clear site access. Coordinate any owner-supplied items. Stay reachable if a question comes up.
What we do
Schedule materials delivery and dispatch the in-house framing crew. Build to the contracted spec and to the stamped plans the county inspects against.
Timing: 1 to 10 weeks on-site depending on size and complexity
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Phase 6
Project closeout
What you do
Flag anything that does not match the contract.
What we do
Close out against the contracted spec, resolve any punch-list items, and hand over final paperwork.
Timing: At build completion
The two permit paths
The biggest single factor in how long a project takes is whether it qualifies for the agricultural exemption or needs a full county permit.
Ag-exempt
Faster, simpler
- Qualifying parcels in agricultural use
- No structural permit required (county varies)
- 2 weeks from contract to materials
- Total project: 1 to 10 weeks
County-permitted
Full structural process
- Required for non-ag, commercial, residential use
- Engineer-stamped plans, county review, inspections
- County review time varies by county
- Total project: 2 to 12 weeks
Common questions about the process
How long does the whole process take?
For an ag-exempt shop on a ready site: typically 1 to 10 weeks from contract signing to finished building. For a county-permitted build: typically 2 to 12 weeks, depending mostly on how fast your county reviews the plans after you submit them. Larger commercial or equestrian projects can run longer. The written bid includes a project-specific timeline.
What does the contract look like?
Standard projects use a base-plus-additions contract: one base price for the building configuration, then every addition (door, window, insulation, vapor barrier, slab coordination, etc.) on its own line so you can see exactly what each upgrade adds. Commercial projects with architect or lender involvement can use a milestone-billing contract format with a Schedule of Values structure instead.
What deposit is required?
Initial deposit at contract signing covers the engineering, plan, and materials commitments we make on your behalf. The exact percentage depends on project size and scope and is spelled out in the written contract before you sign.
Do you handle the concrete slab?
We coordinate the slab; the pour itself is by a concrete subcontractor. Most customers want the slab specced and sized as part of the bid, so we line it up to be ready when the framing crew arrives. You can also bring your own concrete contractor.
Do I need an engineer or architect?
Not for an ag-exempt build on qualified parcel. For county-permitted projects, an engineer-stamped structural plan is required and we coordinate with our engineer to produce it. Architect involvement is optional — most private projects skip it; commercial and residential projects often want an architect of record.
What if the site is not ready when the crew arrives?
The contract includes a site-readiness clause. If the site is not ready by the agreed start window, we either hold the schedule (and you pay any associated holding costs) or reschedule to the next open window. We tell you exactly what "ready" means at contract signing: access for trucks, grading complete, any utility locates done.
Ready to start your project?
Tell us about your land, your use, and your timeline. We typically respond within one business day.