FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Most people are familiar with the traditional remodeling process: you contact three builders, get bids, check references and reviews, and then select your builder. However, the concept of hiring a consultant to guide and control your project with expert advice can be a bit harder to grasp. To help clarify, we’ve compiled answers to some of the most common questions we receive.
We began years ago as trade artisans, building strong relationships with our material vendors and suppliers. Over time, we evolved into a full remodeling firm, dedicating years to finding and vetting qualified artisan subcontractors. We carefully selected the best of them to form our approved labor force, and we bring the benefit of those years of meticulous selection to your project.
Even as we've shifted our focus, we continue to build numerous projects each year, allowing us to maintain the builder discounts we enjoyed when we operated as a traditional builder. This means you still receive the same high-quality workmanship and materials at competitive prices, backed by our years of expertise and trusted relationships in the industry.
We are not a middleman in your project. At ZeroDown Consulting, we contract the vendors on your behalf and establish a typical draw schedule that aligns with the scope of your remodel. You pay the trades and vendors directly, either as costs are incurred or when a contracted draw point has been reached, ensuring transparency and full control over your project’s budget.
The service contracts for the artisan trades are directly between the owner and the artisan. Each contract includes a detailed project scope of work, the total price, a draw schedule, and a release of lien upon the completion of work and full payment to the tradesman.
Neither Austin nor the state of Texas requires licensing for builders, remodelers, general contractors, or most trades. The licensed trades include electricians, plumbers, and HVAC contractors. For these, we ensure that the tradesmen are properly licensed. For other trades, we thoroughly vet our subcontractors, drawing on our extensive experience with them. With few exceptions, all of our subcontractors carry Commercial General Liability Insurance, providing additional peace of mind for your project.
The core of our business model is that you retain full control of your project investment. Aside from our fee for coordinating your project, none of your project funds go to us. Your project will be completed as long as your funds are sufficient to cover the costs. You pay tradesmen only after they have completed work to the contracted draw point or finished their tasks, and you pay suppliers and vendors directly for materials and fixtures. ZeroDown Consulting is compensated only as a percentage of what you've spent to date on your project. The only thing that can slow down or stop production is your decision to do so.
All reputable remodeling contractors typically mark up material and labor costs by at least 100%, with many achieving markup levels of 120% to 150%. While this may seem high, it’s standard practice in the industry. A 100% markup results in a 50% gross profit margin, but after deducting 30% or more for taxes, franchise fees, and other business expenses, most remodeling firms end up with a net profit of just 15% to 30%. In contrast, our fee is a nominal percentage of the project cost, paid weekly as the job progresses, allowing you to save significantly while maintaining full transparency.
It’s always best to select your builder before finalizing your design process. Like most remodeling firms, we work with architects, interior designers, and engineers to help design each project we build. However, these professionals typically have limited knowledge of current material and labor costs. Whether you choose a traditional remodeling firm or ZeroDown Consulting, your builder or consultant will ensure that the designers and engineers create your project within your budget constraints. Just as with materials and labor, the design and engineering costs you pay are at the builder’s cost, with no markup or profit margin added. Additionally, we pass on our builder discounts for these professional services directly to you.
Once your technical drawings are completed and you've selected your finish materials, ZeroDown Consulting provides you with an itemized estimate of your total project costs as designed. We use rounded-up numbers to ensure accurate monitoring of budget limits throughout the design process.
We strongly recommend that all projects be permitted and inspected according to city ordinances when required. For your convenience, we offer permit expediting services to help streamline the process.