Frequently Asked Questions
Planning & Scheduling
Benefits for You
- Dedicated Project Management: Our project manager and assistant will meet with you weekly during construction to solve problems before they affect you and keep you up-to-date with the day-to-day schedule.
- In-House Design: Our team includes in-house designers who listen to your desires, communicate weekly with you and work within the constraints of your budget.
- Experts in Remodeling: We remodel 40 to 50 projects per year and have decades of experience. We solve possible problems early so there are no surprises or change orders.
- A Reliable Team that Stays on Schedule: Our team plans ahead for your project so materials are on time. We are large enough to bring additional skilled professionals when they’re needed—unlike smaller contractors that may show up for a day and then disappear for weeks at a time.
- Precision Work Built to Last: We emphasize quality and don’t take shortcuts. For example, our trim carpenters might take 4 to 8 hours to set a door correctly, not the 1-hour install that a budget contractor might take. This ensures you don’t have issues in 1, 2 or 10 years down the line.
- 10-Year Craftsmanship Warranty: Because we do it right the first time, we stand by our work.
- Fixed-Price Contract You Can Trust: Since we create a detailed design, we can provide an accurate fixed-price construction contract for your project. Less rigorous contractors often use vague estimates that might initially seem more appealing but frequently end up costing you more.
Each project is unique, but the construction phase of an average bathroom remodel takes 2-3 months. Kitchens take 5-6 months, though at around 10 weeks in, key elements can often be ready for the owner’s use during the evenings while we wrap up the project during working hours. The length of a project varies, depending on how extensive the remodel is or the scope of new construction. Give us a call! We will give you an estimated timeline for your project.
Designing your space is a collaboration between you and one of our designers. This process may take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to make the decisions needed to provide you with a construction contract. We will use the final design to create a construction contract for the work. This contract is very detailed and considers all facets of work. Once the design is complete and we make a site visit with subcontractors, construction contracts are typically ready within 2 to 3 weeks.
We will begin work shortly after the contract is signed and permits are ready (if required). Our workload varies seasonally, but average start times fall between 2 and 6 weeks from the signed contract date.
G. Christianson Construction has strong relationships with many local subcontractors, sometimes decades long, which guarantees you the best communication, schedule availability and quality. We self-perform most carpentry, cabinetry and finish work with our team of talented employees. Your project may include electricians, plumbers, hardwood installers and others.
We self-perform most carpentry, cabinetry and finish work with our team of talented employees. Electrical and plumbing work will be performed by licensed subs, as required by the State of Oregon. Additional skilled work may be done by subs if it affords our clients the best price and quality.
The design process is a great time to change your mind. The process is a collaboration with your designer, and we will work with you around any needed changes to create a final design. Yes, you can change your mind during the build — however, the earlier, the better. We will provide you with a change order for approval beforehand.
Yes. We can begin planning with you remotely via phone call, email or video conference. During construction, you can monitor daily progress by computer or mobile device using our production management software.
Yes, we offer a 10-year, transferable craftsmanship warranty. We stand behind our product and exceed the minimum 1-year warranty required by the State of Oregon.
We take on a wide range of work, including small bathroom renovations, entryway remodels and window replacements. Let’s talk about your project to ensure we are the best fit for each other.
Electrical, plumbing, mechanical and structural changes to your home will typically require permits. Our staff works with both city and county building departments to determine which permits are required for your project and purchase them.
Services & Capabilities
We both build and install high quality, custom cabinets in our solar-powered cabinet shop as part of a construction contract in order to provide you the best craftsmanship warranty.
Our project management team will prepare a plan for best protecting your home, involving Ram Board floor protection, carpet masking, plastic walls or temporary access doors into the work zone and HEPA air filtering systems. We ask that owners remove their personal items and furniture from the immediate work zone. Our project management team will communicate with you about when to expect workers at your home.
We have two designers on staff that are experienced in residential and light commercial projects. We work with independent architects and engineers regularly. Visit the Our Team page to learn more.
We aim to build and renovate homes in ways that reduce their carbon footprint, decrease energy use and increase long-term durability. We encourage you to select materials that have the least negative impact on our environment. Please see the Energy Efficient Construction page on our website.
Our crew removes trash and debris from the worksite via a dumpster or dump trailer regularly. We recycle as many materials as possible from your project, up to 90% if requested. Items in good condition may be accepted by the Habitat for Humanity Re-Store. We have also pioneered a lumber-recycling program with Habitat for Humanity.
We do not sell stock plans. Each build or remodel is unique, and we specialize in customizing plans to suit your building lot or structure.
We do not sell lots or move-in ready homes, but we look forward to seeing your property! We will assist you in planning the best custom home for your lot.
Yes! We are happy to discuss portions of the project that you can perform.
We work in Corvallis, Philomath, Albany and outlying areas. This allows our management team to have daily access to the work site and ensure that everything is running smoothly.
Yes! Speak to the Project Manager after your project is complete.
Financial Matters
Let’s talk about your wish list, goals and priorities. We will give you an estimated cost range for similar projects and provide you a guaranteed price when your design is completed.
G. Christianson Construction does not finance projects, but we accept financing from your preferred financial institution or lender.
We prefer payment by check. Credit cards are accepted but are subject to processing fees.
We support local non-profits such as Habitat for Humanity, Corvallis Sustainability Coalition, Solar Power projects, Microshelters for the Homeless, Greenbelt Land Trust, The Boys and Girls Club of Corvallis, the Audubon Society, Assistance League of Corvallis and others.
