Frequently Asked Questions
Before choosing a builder, make sure you understand the process, not just the price.
The questions below cover how we work: estimates, preconstruction, pricing, timelines, change orders, and how we decide whether a project is the right fit. If something isn’t covered here, we’re glad to talk it through.
Is ECC Right for Me?
How do I know if ECC is the right fit for my project?
ECC is the right fit if you’re looking for more than a contractor who can hand you a number. We work best with homeowners who want a clear process, thoughtful planning, strong communication, and a builder who can lead the project from early planning through final completion. Most of our clients aren’t chasing the cheapest bid. They’re trying to avoid the expensive mistakes that come from unclear scope, poor communication, missed details, and no real plan.
What makes ECC different from other contractors?
Most construction problems don’t start during construction. They start before it, when the scope is unclear, the plans are incomplete, the budget is unrealistic, or the wrong assumptions go unchecked. Our process is built to resolve as much of that as possible before work begins. We invest heavily in preconstruction, communication, scheduling, documentation, and trade coordination, so you know what you’re building, what it should cost, how long it should take, and which risks need to be addressed up front.
Estimates & Pricing
Do you provide free estimates or a ballpark price?
We offer an initial Discovery Call at no charge, and we can sometimes talk through general ranges. But we’re careful with early numbers, because a real estimate takes more than a quick walkthrough. It requires drawings, scope review, site information, trade input, selections, and planning. Two projects that look similar on the surface can carry very different costs once you account for structure, existing conditions, access, mechanical systems, finishes, waterproofing, permitting, and site logistics. A fast number based on incomplete information can sound helpful, but it creates false confidence. We’d rather be honest early than give you a figure that doesn’t hold up later.
Why do contractor bids come in so far apart?
Usually because the bids aren’t pricing the same project. One contractor may include proper supervision, project management, site protection, realistic allowances, detailed trade pricing, warranty, cleanup, and coordination. Another may leave those same items vague, excluded, or under-allowed. The lowest bid isn’t always the lowest final cost. Sometimes it’s just the least complete version of the project.
Are you the cheapest contractor?
No. ECC isn’t trying to be the cheapest builder in the market. We’re trying to be the right builder for clients who value an organized, transparent, and professional construction experience. Price matters, but the better questions are what’s included, what’s excluded, which risks are still unresolved, and who’s responsible for managing the details.
Is there a minimum project budget?
Our smaller projects generally start around $150,000, and most of our work runs well above that. We share this up front out of respect for your time. If your budget falls below that range, we likely aren’t the right fit, and we’d rather say so early than have you invest time in a process built for larger, more involved projects. If you’re not sure where your project lands, a quick Discovery Call will help clarify it.
Preconstruction & Timelines
What is preconstruction?
Preconstruction is the planning phase before construction begins. It’s where we clarify scope, budget, schedule, selections, trade input, site conditions, constructability, and assumptions before a final construction contract is signed. Depending on the project, it can include site visits, Matterport scanning, as-built coordination, design team meetings, trade walkthroughs, estimating, schedule planning, and proposal development.
Why do you charge for preconstruction?
Because proper planning takes real time and expertise. For a larger remodel or custom home, accurate pricing isn’t a guess. It requires reviewing plans, walking the site, coordinating trades, identifying missing scope, testing assumptions, and helping you make informed decisions. Charging for preconstruction lets us do that work properly, instead of rushing out a number that won’t hold up later.
What do I get from preconstruction?
Clarity, above all. By the end of preconstruction, you should understand your project’s scope, expected investment, schedule, assumptions, allowances, exclusions, and next steps. Depending on the project, that can include a detailed proposal, an updated budget, trade input, schedule expectations, scope clarifications, and a construction contract ready for review.
How long will my project take?
Every project runs on its own schedule, and a real timeline comes out of preconstruction, not before it. Once the scope, selections, and trade coordination are defined, we build a schedule you can actually plan around, with clear milestones and the factors that influence them: permitting, material lead times, design decisions, and existing site conditions. As a general guide, smaller projects run about 3 months, larger remodels and additions about 6–10 months, and custom homes around 12–14 months, though we confirm real dates for your specific project during planning. Our priority is a schedule that holds up, not an optimistic date that quietly slips.
Contracts, Warranty & Protections
Are you licensed, bonded, and insured?
Yes. ECC is a licensed general contractor in Washington, bonded, and fully insured. We’re glad to provide current copies of our license, bond, and insurance certificates on request. We also work only with trade partners who carry their own licensing and insurance, so the entire team on your project is properly covered.
Do you work fixed-price or cost-plus?
We work on a fixed-price construction agreement once the scope is properly defined. That means the plans, specifications, selections, allowances, assumptions, and trade pricing are developed enough for us to stand behind the number. A fixed price gives you more clarity and accountability, but it only works well when the project has been planned properly first.
How do change orders work?
A change order is used when the agreed scope changes. We document what changed, why it changed, the cost impact, and any schedule impact before moving forward.
You will never be charged a penny more than the original agreement without a signed and authorized change order. No surprise charges. No verbal approvals that turn into invoices. No unclear billing after the fact. If the scope changes, you see it, review it, approve it, and sign off before any additional work is billed.
Change orders aren’t a bad thing. They’re the proper way to handle new decisions, unknown conditions, or revised scope on a complex project. The key is that they’re communicated clearly, documented properly, and approved before work proceeds.
Do you warranty your work?
Yes. We stand behind our work with a written two-year workmanship warranty, alongside any manufacturer warranties on the materials and products installed. If something covered isn’t right, we want to hear about it. Handling it properly is part of how we protect both the relationship and our reputation. We’ll walk you through exactly what’s covered, and for how long, before you sign.
Getting Started
What areas do you serve?
We build throughout the greater Seattle area and the Eastside, including Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, Bothell, and surrounding communities. Not sure whether your location is within our service area? Just ask. We’re happy to let you know. You can also explore our Service Areas pages to see where we work and the kinds of projects we take on in each community.
Do I need plans or an architect before reaching out?
No. You don’t need finished plans or an architect to reach out. If you already have drawings or a design team in place, you’re a step ahead, and we can move into scope and pricing sooner. If you’re not there yet, that’s completely fine. We work with architects and designers and can help bring the right people in, so the design and construction sides stay coordinated from the start.
What is the best way to start with ECC?
The best first step is an initial Discovery Call. We’ll ask about your goals, location, timeline, design status, and budget expectations, and what you’re hoping to accomplish. From there, we can determine whether ECC is the right fit and what the next responsible step looks like. That first conversation is simply about understanding your project and helping you move forward with clarity. No pressure, just a clear sense of where things stand.
Still deciding? The best next step is a short, no-pressure Discovery Call.
Book a Discovery Call