Because of the challenges of the poorly built original summer structure and the steep slope down to the lake, we assembled a strong team of experts early in this process to provide developing cost estimates and an integrated design and engineering delivery process for the project. We commonly find these waterfront structures to be weak and poorly built. This one is an exceptional case. As a result, often the first step in any renovation is to move backwards to reinforce and, often rebuild, affected portions of the house before we even begin the desired improvements. This eats up more money than anyone wants, but is necessary to meet current building and energy codes and to provide a secure structure for the future.
Because each structure and site carry unique features and the solutions to reinforce these structures dovetail in with the scope of design, the construction costs of these projects are difficult to forecast without this integrated process. We worked with our engineer and Mike Meyer of Island Cove Building and Development to develop and refine pricing for this project 4x during our integrated process to communicate our best assessment of a project cost. Each forward thinking design solution required a different scope of backward reinforcing of the original structure, so we could only assess cost with design and engineering work. We used each cost estimate to inform our next design step forward until we settled on a suitable solution.
We have over 20 years of projects of this type and have contacts throughout Maine to assemble a strong team to deliver on the challenge. Maine is a special place and worthy of the work it takes to secure a space on which to enjoy it.
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