Our Process

What you can expect from Richmond’s experts in outdoor living construction.

Our Process

What you can expect from Richmond’s experts in outdoor living construction.

Our Personalized Process

As professional residential remodeling contractors, we use arful engineering to create beautiful outdoor spaces that are customized to fit your family’s needs. Our tried-and-true method is personalized to your installation type. You are included in every part of our process to make sure you are happy with the results.

1. Initial Virtual Consultation

We are very excited to help you plan your outdoor paradise. The first step in our design/build process is to have a high-level discussion about your project where we will discuss features, scope, design, and budget. We will ask that you submit photos of your space so our team can provide the best feedback on what’s possible and how much it might cost. Your virtual consultation with one of our expert designers or project managers is free and requires zero commitment.

2. Onsite Design Review

After we’ve agreed to a high-level scope and budget, it’s time to meet onsite with our professional design and estimating team. We will show you inspiration and products that we think are a great fit and begin the creation of your project’s vision board which kicks off our Detailed Design process. It’s an exciting time to be planning your project and we are glad to be along for the ride.

3. Detailed Design

A detailed design is a key component of executing the build of your paradise. Most of our projects require one before we can provide a written proposal. CleanStone has a team of expert designers for all types of outdoor projects. We will personally select the designer best suited for your project, and they will walk you through each iteration of your design until it’s perfect. Design work fees typically range from $1200 – $2500 depending on the size and scope of the project.

4. Proposal, Acceptance, Deposit

An important part of the construction process is communicating expectations clearly. We know that is the best way to ensure your satisfaction. Our contracts are written plainly with the sole intent of conveying information we believe helpful and informative. CleanStone is a Class A contractor governed by the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational and Regulation, whom require that all customers receive a written proposal to include fees, terms and conditions, exclusions, and scheduling time frame.

Our typical deposit schedule is 25% at signing / 25% at project start / 40% at substantial completion /10% at completion of any punch list items.

5. Pre-Construction

Once the design is set, contracts are completed and the plan has been mapped out, we’ll communicate with you to schedule the construction, order materials and obtain permits. We know you are excited to get your project in the ground. We are too. We will communicate with you often to let you know how the production schedule is progressing and inform you well in advance of any changes to your start or completion date.

6. Construction

Now for the easy part. The care and planning that went into your project before breaking ground is another key component in ensuring a smooth build. At this point, we’ve provided you with information on what to expect during the construction process, how long it should take, and what considerations to be aware of during. We emphasis safety and communication.

Construction typically consists of the following phases:

Excavation (dig and dispose).
Plumbing, gas, and electrical rough-in.
Footings and base installation.
Vertical feature builds such as pools, fire features, walls, and kitchens.
Horizontal features such as pool decks, patios, walkways, and driveways.
Final connection and startup of all equipment and lighting.
Irrigation, landscaping, and cleanup.
Quality control inspection and final acceptance.
Care and maintenance.

CleanStone Customer-Centered Values

1. World-Class Customer Relationships through trust, honesty, integrity, and transparency.

a. Trust: We build our client relationships based on the foundation of trust. It starts with doing what we say we will do, when we say we will do it and always keeping our commitments.

b. Honesty and integrity in project scope and costs: Our goal is to deliver the right project for our best price without any hidden agendas. We will never recommend something that goes against our better judgment for the sake of appeasing a customer and getting a sale. We may not always have all the answers, but we will honestly communicate our opinions that we’ve developed from years of experience. We want our clients to make purchases that we believe will add value to their outdoor living experience and will exceed their expectations without spending unnecessarily. We will make recommendations and communicate their costs, pros and cons, and the value added. We don’t upsell for the sake of getting the customer to spend more unless it makes sense for them and their needs and preferences.

c. Transparency: Our detailed proposals clearly explain the scope and costs. We include our Class A contractor’s license number, our business insurances information and educational information about warranties and material tolerances. It’s important to us that our client’s know exactly what they are purchasing and there are no misunderstandings about what is included and what is not. This helps ensure that expectations are clear from the beginning.

2. Punctuation, and Cleanlinessa.

a. We provided regular start date and completion date updates. We pride ourselves on our ability to coordinate the pre construction and construction activities to ensure that we keep our schedule commitments. Since inception, we have not missed one start or completion date. Typically, we start projects and complete projects earlier than we originally stated.

b. When we start a project, we stay on that project until it’s completed.

c. Our goal is to leave the customer’s property better than how it was when we started. We do this by keeping a clean and safe jobsite and repairing adjoining areas that may be impacted during construction.

3. Experience, Quality, and Warranty

a. Our team of project managers, installers, engineers, and designers has over 75 years of combined experience in construction. We take a collaborative approach to the design-build process and leverage each other’s strengths to execute our projects seamlessly. The behind-the-scenes planning and organization that we do as part of the design and pre-construction process is not often seen by our clients, but they feel it when their project is executed flawlessly

b. We primarily install low-maintenance products that are of the highest quality and have the best service representation. Our product partners are available to assess any potential product issues in a timely manner.

c. Our installers carry industry-leading certifications (Techo Pro, Wolf Pro, ICPI and NCMA Certifications and training) and are recognized by our product manufacturers for our superior workmanship and design.

d. Our designs and installations meet the latest best practices provided by ICPI, NCMA, and the Residential Building Code.

e. Our team is always on-call for any warranty related issues. When something comes up, we make it our priority to address. It doesn’t matter what the issue is or what the cause is, if it’s related to a project we did or a customer of ours, we make it a priority.

f. Our two-year craftsmanship warranty provides confidence to our customers that we are equally invested in the longevity and quality of their installation. The products we use have industry-leading warranties, backed up by years of experience in their industry.

4. Safety

a. We provide frequent education to our team about the means, methods, and importance of applying industry best practice regarding safety and personal protective equipment. We want our team to always work safely, which is one of our key values.

5. Care

a. We genuinely care about the happiness and well-being of our clients. We provide custom thank-you gifts at the end of each project reminding them of how thankful we are of their business. CleanStone would not exist without our amazing customers. On several occasions we have hosted or participated in the planning and coordination of post-project events. We’ve grilled freshly sliced rib-eye sakes on newly installed gas grills, we’ve roasted oysters in a gourmet table-top dual-fuel pizza oven, and have gone for swims in newly opened pools that we’ve built.

Free Consultation

Isaac | Richmond

“Great quality work and customer service. Our new patio looks professional and is an impressive addition to the house. The communication and updates were consistent throughout the process”