1.   Home many years have you been in business?
2.   May we see a few of the homes you have built?
3.   How many homes will you have under construction at on time?
4.   How many supervisors do you have to oversee your homes under construction?
5.   How easy is it to reach you by phone? And, when could I expect to hear back from you if I have to leave a message?
6.   Do you use the same sub-contractors consistently?
7.   Do you have stock plans we are encouraged to choose from?
8.   Does anyone provide guidance during the design and entire selection process?
9.   Do you work on cost plus or with a fixed price?
10. How close will the quote be to the final price of the home?
11. Does the price reflect a landscaping allowance?
12. How long does it usually take to build the home after breaking ground?
13. Do I have to be present at any point during construction?
14. What features are included in the prioce of my home?
15. Does the price include site plans and site work?
16. What are the standard ceiling heights throughout the home?
17. How do you construct and prevent moisture issues in the crawl space and lower levels?
18. What type of heating and a/c systems are standard? How many? What are their effeciency rating?
19. What type of floor system do you use?
20. Will the roof be trussed or framed?
21. Do you charge additional money for minor changes made during the framing stage?
22. Are punch-list items completed in a timely manner?
23. What warranties are offered with my new home?
24. What is used for decking material?

1. How many years have you been in business?

Our family has been in the business for four generations. A. DeRose and Sons, LLC has been building homes in the Williamsburg area since 2001.

2. May we see a few of the homes you have built?

We are always happy to provide a list of names and numbers of every client we have built for in this area. Most will welcome you into their homes even on a short notice.

3. How many homes will you have under construction at one time?

As a smaller custom home builder we will only have five homes under construction at one time.

4. How many supervisors do you have to oversee your homes under construction?

We do not use supervisors. Anthony and Gerald DeRose visit every home under construction at least three times daily to oversee the work.

5. How easy is it to reach you by phone and when could I expect to hear back from you if I leave a message?

All of our clients have our home/office number as well as our cell numbers. We will always try to answer all calls, even if we are unable to speak for long. If you have to leave a message we will reply the same day. (We encourage you to speak with all of our past clients on our reference list.)

6. Do you use the same sub-contractors consistently ?

Yes. A few of our sub-contracators have been working with us from our start in Williamsburg. This makes the process much smoother as they know what we expect in craftsmanship.

7. Do you have stock plans we are encouraged to choose from?

No. We have a wonderful architect with whom you may choose any plan you like and modify it or work with him to create a home you love.

8. Does anyone provide guidance during the design stage and the entire selection process?

Mary Beth DeRose is available to guide our clients through the process from meeting with the architect, to picking out cabinets, granite, lighting fixtures, plumbing fixtures, etc.

9. Do you work on cost plus or with a fixed price?

We work with a fixed price, which help our clients avoid unpleasant surprises.

10. How close will the quote be to the final price of the home?

We give generous allowances. Therefore, it is unusual for the final price of a home we build to be more than 1-2% more than our original quote.

11. Does the price reflect a landscaping allowance?

No. We feel choosing a landscaper is as important of a choice as choosing the right builder. We would also prefer our clients work directly with the landscaper to keep pricing down for them.

12. How long does it usually take to build the home after breaking ground?

We allow ourselves one year in our contract; however, we frequently finish our homes within 9 to 10 months.

13. Do I have to be present at any point during construction?

Our clients are always welcome on the site during the building process. We ask our clients to be present at three different points...during the kitchen design and selections, the framing, and at trim.

14. What features are included in the price of my home?

We provide a list of specifications detailing how we construct our homes and what goes into our homes.

15. Does the price include site plans and site work?

Yes

16. What are the standard ceiling heights throughout the home?

We assume 9' ceilings through the entire home.

17. How does the company prevent moisture issues in the crawl space and lower levels?

Our crawl spaces are very dry. We use 4 inches of poured concrete over 4 inches of crushed stone creating a solid cement floor under the home. Our crawl spaces are sealed, insulated, and conditioned. Drain pipes are installed around the interior and exterior perimeter of the home and are laid down every 10' in between for the lower levels. We then surround the drain pipe with 4 inches of crushed stone with 4 inches of poured concrete to create solid cement floor. The walls are concrete blocks, which are solid grout with rebar down to the footing and a rubber membrane is used on the exterior walls.

18. What type of and how many heating and a/c systems do you typically use? What are their effeciency            rating?

We use either Trane or Lennox and have a minimum of 2 zones. They have a 94% effeciency rating.

19. What type of floor system do you use?

We use Advantec tongue and groove, which is screwed and glued to prevent and squeaks for the 3/4" hardwood floors installed throughout the whole house.

20. Will the roof be trussed or framed?

All roofs are framed. Therefore, all homes have a full attic that is fully floored.

21. Do you charge additional money for minor changes made during the framing stage?

No. We like our clients to feel comfortable that changes can be make onsite as it is difficult for many to envision the interior of their home by looking at their house plans.

22. Are punch-list items completed in a timely manner?

Most punch list items are taken care of prior to our clients moving in to their home. We have a very dedicated staff and are very quick to respond to any items that may come up over time. (We will provide a list of every client we have built for upon request.)

23. What warranties are offered with my new home?

All of the manufacturers' warranties are offered.

24. What is used for decking material?

We use cedar that is weather-resistant and treated with Sikkens. This does not have to be power washed as often as many of the trex products.