The Alexander Group, Inc.

PROJECT TEAM APPROACH

We respect the value of good design and architecture, and understand its importance as a cornerstone of a successful project. Our experience has proven that by working closely with design professionals from the early stages of a project design, the client ultimately receives a better outcome. A Project Team Approach creates fewer headaches. We believe in a respectful, communicative process to accomplish the shared goal of a quality project, built on time and on budget, with a minimum of surprises, all delivered in a professional and "island style" way.The Alexander Group advocates a design-build partnership, an approach that brings together professional design and construction expertise in a way that provides continuity of service. Our philosophy encourages clients to take a more active role in planning their building or renovation project. With design-build, our clients enjoy the consistency, accountability and convenience of working with one firm from start to finish. The design-build approach that we embrace at The Alexander Group ensures that a client's vision drives the project.

DESIGN-BUILD PROCESS

Our Design Build Process:

1) The initial consultation:
· You put your ideas into words
· We listen carefully
· We outline the renovation process

2) Feasibility study:
· We study the physical layout
· We review land plats and surveys as needed
· We review documents for potential problems

3) Concept design and price planning:
· You approve conceptual drawings
· We prepare work scope and specifications
· You select appliances, floor coverings, specialty items, etc.
· We present final drawings and price planning research

4) Construction:
· We prepare construction documents
· We obtain building permits
· We conduct pre-construction meeting
· We prepare site
· Project begins

5) Project completion:
· We conduct a walk-through of the entire project with you
· We both agree on a "finish list"
· Warranty period begins

An early adopter of sustainable building practices, Alex Dean, founder of The Alexander Group, Inc., has been a proponent of energy conservation, solar and alternative energy resources since 1976, specializing in both residential and commercial construction.

With an eye toward building energy efficient dwellings, Dean was a leader in the field long before the current “green” movement established itself in the headlines and energy efficiency became an important focus within the building industry and professional trade organizations.

Upon graduating from Punahou School, Honolulu, Hawaii, Dean spent a summer working for a builder and stone mason—a job that eventually set the stage for his career in the design-build, renovation and construction services industry.

After completing a self designed curriculum in architecture, energy, environmental law, business law and management at Boston University, Dean moved to Washington DC where he worked as an energy consultant and established The Alexander Group in 1986. He has subsequently opened The Alexander Group in Hawaii in 2004.

Alex is an active member of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) and holds the Association’s Green Certified Professional (GCP) designation. Dean also holds NAHB’s Certified Graduate Remodeler (GCR) and Green Certified Professional (GCP) designations and The US Green Building Council’s LEED AP Homes certification. He was president of the DC Metropolitan Chapter of NARI in 1992, and served as a member of the Board of Directors of the DC Metropolitan Chapter of NARI from 1990 to 1994.

Every project is carefully studied and the budget is developed to reflect the cleints goals, project scope of work, material selections and trade contractors required to perform the project properly and on time.  All necessary work, materials and man power are identified and quantified to arrive at a lump sum fixed fee agreement to perform the work.  We are very diligent in seeking to eliminate "surprises" during constrution. We use a proprietary estimating data base of over 3000 items to make sure each and every component of the project is budgeted for.

My first job working for a builder and masonry contractor, building houses above the Kaiser Estate in Hawaii Kai, eventually led to a career in the design/build industry that now spans four decades.

Our clients come from every walk of life, but they all share several characteristics.  Our clients value honesty, integrity, and accountability.  Our clients appreciate being able to place their trust and their hard earned money with a firm that delivers excellent workmanship, provides professional courteous service, pays attention to details, provides solutions to challenges and makes their project dreams into reality, on time and on budget!

Whole house remodel. Custom great room with elevator, Historic master bath suite, Award winning condo renovations, Beach front home remodel.  We are fornutate to have worked with so many terrific people and build their wonderful projects.

All the business basics are important, ie. license, insurance, a proven track record of at least 5 years (10 better) doing similar type projects, but perhaps the most important is making certain that the communication with your contractor is very, very good and that there is a strong sense of trust and mutual respect between owner and remodelor.  Doing a major remodel is a very big undertaking and it requires a strong relationship between owner and remodelor. That is a cornerstone for a successful remodeling project. 

Once they decide to "improve and not move"

Each owner should write a "Wish List" which would include everything they want and need.  Then prioritize the wish list.

Once the list has the core components then a budget needs to be established.  All to often budgets aren't sufficient so it's good to have a contingency set aside.

Project schedule and the logistics of living through the remodel should be thought about.

What is most important to owners:  Quality? Service? Price?