Consulting

Construction Consulting

Most homeowners aren’t construction experts, so before you commit to building, remodeling, or restoring your property, it pays to have a professional in your corner.

Först Consulting Group provides expert guidance before, during, and after your construction project, so you can make informed decisions at every stage. We advise on all aspects of the work and offer a full range of construction consulting services, including but not limited to:

Pre-Construction Consultant

  • Selecting and vetting a contractor
  • Contract review/negotiation
  • Cost analysis and verification
  • Smart Home technology
  • Green technology and green building methods/solar energy

During Construction

  • Progress monitoring
  • Material selections
  • Material checks
  • Fit and finish inspections
  • Weekly walk-throughs
  • Reports at regular intervals
  • Safety reviews
  • Dispute support

Post-Construction Consultant

  • Walk-through
  • Punch list inspection
  • Suspected defect inspection
  • Evidence inspection and documentation
  • Dispute resolution
  • Expert opinion and testimony

Construction Advocate

Building or remodeling your home can be disruptive and stressful. On top of an already busy schedule, you may find yourself managing a complex construction project without the experience to know whether the work is being done correctly, priced fairly, or built to last. Concerns about shortcuts, poor workmanship, inflated costs, or outright contractor fraud are common—and valid.

Först Consulting Group serves as your dedicated owner’s advocate—your personal director of oversight—representing your interests from day one to help head off problems before they start and protect the quality and value of your investment.

Construction Supervisor

We visit your construction site several times a week and at milestone checkpoints to oversee the work, track performance, monitor precision fit and finish, and verify that what is built matches the design and contract specifications. We check material quality, watch for shortcuts, and confirm strict adherence to state and local building codes, among many other tasks.

Regular Progress Reports

Först holds regular meetings with you to review the progress of your project and report on anything we find. When an issue surfaces, we help you resolve it swiftly and peaceably with your contractor before it grows into something larger.

Pre-Construction Consultation and Negotiations

Even before construction begins—or before you have hired a construction company—consult with Först Consulting Group. We can assist with the selection of your contractor, project negotiations, and contract review.

You may not be an expert at the building process, but we are. Trust Först Consulting Group to act as your consultant, advocate, and liaison between the contractor and your family—everything sound construction project management should be.

Historical Renovation

Preserving a home’s historic character—or restoring it to its original grandeur—takes a contractor with specialized knowledge of traditional building methods and preservation standards. Many homeowners aren’t sure how to find professionals with that specific expertise.

Historic restoration is a core specialty of Först Consulting Group. Drawing on years of hands-on experience and in-depth historical research as a custom builder, we have helped restore hundreds of historic properties—from intricate custom moldings and millwork to period-appropriate materials and finishes. We can advise you on proper historic renovation and preservation practices and help you identify and select a qualified contractor who will respect and enhance your home’s historic integrity.

Först Consulting Group Offers Assistance With:

  • Determining work scope and budgets
  • Selecting a qualified historic-knowledgeable contractor and architect
  • Contracts review
  • Indicating correct building permits for historic properties
  • Consulting on historic renovation accuracy and practices
  • Advising on where to obtain historically-accurate materials
  • Monitoring workmanship

Incorporate Modern Technology Into a Historic Renovation

Those who value a building’s provenance will want to restore its features using the most historically accurate materials and skilled craftsmen. That doesn’t mean modern technology has no place—if updated systems are part of your renovation plan, they can be integrated thoughtfully. Creating the right blend of old and new is part of our creative process.

Materials are Important on a Historic Renovation

It’s a shame when the owner of a historic property uses off-the-shelf products from a big-box store to repair, renovate, or preserve their home—or when a contractor rips out period details and replaces them with modern substitutes simply because it’s faster. Having an experienced consultant like Först Consulting Group on your side protects your home’s integrity and ensures you and your contractor share the same goal.

Energy Efficiency Audit

When heating or cooling your home, optimum energy efficiency matters. It not only lowers utility costs, it keeps your family comfortable year-round.

An energy efficiency audit from Först Consulting Group determines whether your home is truly performing as it should. Using an infrared camera for thermal imaging, we identify where air is leaking or insulation is missing—spotting gaps around doors and windows, ductwork leaks, and problems hidden behind drywall without disturbing anything in your home.

Detect Drafts and Moisture Buildup

Air leaks create drafts and cold spots that make rooms uncomfortable, and they can let moisture seep in when humidity is high. We have seen cases where, during a remodel, a contractor failed to replace insulation—leaving cold spots that a thermal imaging camera reveals instantly, no wall demolition required.

An energy audit can confirm that GFCI receptacles are working, check for drafts around outlets and ceiling fixtures, flag leaks in the HVAC system, and point out joints that need sealing. Our equipment can also detect water or moisture trapped behind stucco, or reveal a defective circuit breaker in the service panel. It reads the precise surface temperature of whatever it’s aimed at, helping us find anomalies and reach a sound conclusion.

IRC Code Requirements for Energy Efficiency

The International Residential Code (IRC) requires energy compliance for enhanced efficiency. For new construction, the code is updated on a three-year cycle and sets the minimum provisions for building, plumbing, fuel gas, mechanical, energy, and electrical work in single- and two-family homes. Först Consulting Group can confirm that the current, jurisdiction-adopted code requirements are met.

When to Perform an Energy Audit

The best time for an energy audit is during a remodel, after new doors or windows are installed, ahead of a pre-listing or home inspection, or whenever you notice temperature swings or suspect hidden moisture.

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