Q. What types of construction projects does Hercules Construction build?

Hercules Construction offers services as a general contractor and construction company for commercial and residential clients throughout the state of California. We can build any type of construction projects, large and small, including:

  • Custom Homes
  • Restaurants
  • Schools
  • Liquor Stores
  • Gas Stations
  • Metal Buildings
  • Grocery Stores
  • Banks
  • Apartment Complexes
  • Churches and much more

If you can imagine it, we can build it. We possess experience in a variety of industries, and we are prepared to take on any new challenge.

What should be my first step if I am interested in beginning construction on a new building?

When you are considering a new construction or renovation project, we recommend contacting Hercules Construction as soon as possible during the initial design stages of your project. The earlier we are involved the better. We can control costs and the projected time frame of your project. During an initial planning meeting with Hercules Construction as your general contractor and construction manager, we will discuss lender options and find an architect that best fit your needs and budget.

What size construction project can Hercules Construction manage?

At Hercules Construction, we can handle any size construction or renovation project. Whether you need a construction company for simple projects such as hanging a door or installing windows or for large institutional construction project ranging in the millions, we will bring the same top-notch quality and craftsmanship that we provide in each project we complete.

Is Hercules Construction a commercial and residential contractor?

Yes. Hercules Construction is a commercial and residential construction company offering superior construction management services to customers throughout California. Please feel free to contact us regarding any type of commercial or residential construction or renovation project. If we cannot take on your project, we will be more than happy to lead you in the right direction to a reliable construction company who can.

Does Hercules Construction offer design/build construction services?

Yes. As a commercial and residential construction company we can offer design/build construction to meet your budget. With this approach to construction, we can offer superior cost and scheduling control for your project. As design/build contractors, we will work with architects and engineers during the design phase of your project. Then during the construction phase, we will manage your project keeping your interests and goals as a top priority. If you are looking for a design/build company that you can trust to provide you with a complete turnkey project from design to handing the key over, contact our experienced staff at Hercules Construction.

In what areas does Hercules Construction operate?

Hercules Construction is a commercial and residential construction company with experience completing a variety of construction projects throughout California. Specifically, we focus on Orange County and the surrounding cities as much as 100 to 580 miles away. However, Hercules Construction is available for construction and renovation projects in any location, so we welcome anyone to contact us regarding a new construction or major renovation project.

Does Hercules Construction offer green construction services?

Yes, we provide a number of LEED certified contractors in order to manage your green building construction or renovation project. We offer affordable green building solutions that can benefit your company with reduced energy costs, increased employee productivity, superior indoor air quality, and an improved company image. Green buildings are ideal for a number of industries including:

  • Homes
  • Schools
  • Apartment complexes
  • Retirement communities
  • Hospitals
  • Office buildings
  • Churches, and more

Read more about our green building construction services on our website, or contact us for more information about environmentally friendly construction and renovation projects.

Can I have a shed or outbuilding on my property?

Most subdivisions will allow the homeowner to have an outbuilding, but each subdivision is governed by its own Community Covenants and Restrictions.  Typically, the shed or outbuilding will have to be constructed of the same material as the house.

Can we customize the floor plan and/or configuration, like move an existing wall?

Small alterations maybe allowed to accommodate each buyer, however, numerous changes will require the buyer to sit down with our team to create a custom home plan for construction.

Is the builder negotiable with pricing?

No — the builder makes every effort to maintain the value of not only your home but the values of all the homes in the subdivision by not negotiating prices.

Does the price include the lot?

Yes, unless we are building you a custom home on your own lot.

How long will it take to build?

Slab foundations usually take between 90-120 days and basement foundations take around 120-135 days to construct.  However, delays such as weather, governmental codes, and permitting can delay that time frame.  Bare in mind that those estimates are based on our average 3000 sq. ft. build size.  A 6000 sq. ft.  home can take longer.

Are the appliances included?

Most homes include the range, microwave, and dishwasher.  Please ask your agent about the specifics for the home you are interested in buying.

How many walk-through’s will it take to build?

We require three walk-throughs during the construction process. The first is conducted after the lot is graded.  The second is after we frame the home, and the third and final walk-thru takes place at completion.  We also conduct a pre-offer walk to cover any concerns with the buyer before going under contract.

Do your homes have a warranty?

All Hercules Residential homes come with a 1 Year Builder Warranty at the time of closing.  That information is covered in detail at the closing table.

Can we finance our upgrades?

When choosing upgrades please remember that we require 50% of the cost of the upgrades at selection when you use our preferred lender or 100% of the cost of the upgrades you use a lender that is not our preferred lender partner.  You can ask your lending officer specific questions about financing options for upgrades or any expense incentives.

Does the builder offer any incentives?

The builder may occasionally offer incentives to potential buyers that have registered at one of our properties. These are typically good for a specific time and specific property.

Do we get to pick out all of our colors and styles?

Yes — As long as your selections are in the conformity with the style of the subdivision and as long as they are selected before the particular selections are installed in the house.  We occasionally will go back and replaced installed features for selections but that is the exception to the rule, not the norm.

What are your standard finishes?

This is one of the most common questions we get, and it’s a little bit hard to answer since each one of our homes is custom-built for the family that’s going to live in it. If you have certain finishes or building materials you’d like to use, we’re very happy to accommodate you (actually, we love special requests). When it comes to “upgrades,” we don’t really have a system like production builders do where you look around inside a model home and say “I’d like this model, but with upgraded counter tops.” You’re never locked into a “standard” level of anything; you will always pick what goes into your home. That’s the beauty of custom.

What kinds of architectural styles do you offer?

Just about any style you can think of. We don’t just work off a fixed set of floor plans, and we’re not limited to certain styles that we’ve done in the past. If you’re looking for a list, here are just a few of the styles we’re quite familiar with:

  • Contemporary
  • Southwestern
  • Mediterranean
  • Spanish Eclectic
  • Tuscan
  • Craftsman
  • Arts & Crafts
  • Prairie

How much do solar power systems cost?

This is a question that has an exceptionally complex answer, not because we want to be evasive, but because the answer is honestly: “it depends.” Solar systems, like a custom home, are not a “one size fits all” purchase. There are a few things that need to considered when considering a solar power system for your home, including:

  • The size of the home: how many square feet is your home, and what kind of layout does it have? It’s not enough to just know the total size of the home—we also need to know the floor plan. As an example, there’s a difference in what we can do with a 4,000 sq ft home that’s all on one level vs a home with 2,000 sq ft on a main level and a 2,000 sq ft basement.
  • The number of people living in the home: the size of your family has a direct impact on your energy consumption, so we’d need to know that in order to determine what your energy needs would be.
  • The lifestyle of those living in the home: above and beyond the number of residents in the house, how do the people who live there use the home? Does everyone leave the house at 8:00am and go to work and/or school, leaving the house empty all day? Or do you have someone who works from home, or elderly folks who stay at home during the day time? Is everyone in the house good at turning off all the lights when they leave the room, or do you let light bulbs burn all day when nobody’s home?
  • Your goals as a home owner: why is it that you want solar power in the first place? To minimize your environmental impact? To save money? To live off-grid? All the above, or another reason altogether? All of these factors in heavily not only on whether solar energy is right for you home in general, but what kind of system will work best for you, if at all. For example, if you want to live off-grid but have large electrical appliances, you may need a very large and expensive system.
  • The life stage of the occupants and future plans for the home:will this be the home you spend the rest of your days in, or are you planning on moving again in ten years? It may not make sense to spend tens of thousands of dollars on a system that only starts paying you back in 25 years if you’re only planning to live in the home for ten years.
  • The need for energy storage, if any: will you be able to sell back excess electricity you don’t need to the utility company? Will you need batteries to store it?

All of these questions need to be considered (and answered) as part of the overall design of your home’s solar system.

Having said all that, generally speaking, a residential solar photovoltaic (solar PV) system is somewhere between 2,000 and 10,000 watts, depending upon the needs and goals of the owner. For argument’s sake, an “average” home would handle most of its electrical needs with a 5KW system. As of this writing, a Solar PV system costs about $5/watt, installed. So you can count on this average size system costing around $25,000.

There are a number of factors that affect the final cost of the system, including:

  • Builder markup of the system.Builders have to install and warranty the system, of course, so they’ll charge for that.
  • Federal tax credits available, if any.As of this writing, there is a 30% Federal Tax Credit for the cost of a Solar PV system, but this is subject to change at any time and you’ll want to ask a CPA before relying on this.
  • Local utility provider rebates.In most areas, utility companies offer rebates for Solar PV systems. Again, the amount and availability of these rebates can vary dramatically by year and location, so check with your local utility company.
  • Projected buyback of electricity by the utility provider, if any.Some utilities will “buy back” the electricity you generate but don’t need.
  • As you can see, Solar PV is complex, and while we’ve installed solar energy systems many times in the past, we would need to talk to you with a set of plans in hand to determine exact costs.

Do you charge for estimates?

We do not charge for our initial estimates. We are happy to meet with you to review the project and give you a detailed proposal outlining what is included in the scope of work for the price quoted. It’s important for us to find out as many details as possible about the project in order to give you an accurate price.

How long will my project take?

Each construction project is very unique and the duration will depend on many factors such as the size and scope of the job. Before construction starts we will put together a construction schedule detailing out each step of the project so you can keep track of how things should be progressing. A construction schedule is immensely important for all parties involved to make sure the project stays on track. (insert sample schedule document)

Do I need permits for my project?

Generally speaking most remodel projects require a permit. Exceptions would be finish upgrades such as new carpet, paint, crown molding, etc. If you have a specific construction project in mind and would like to know if a permit will be required give us a call and we will be happy to discuss it with you.

What about materials?

Important materials are specified in the contract. All materials are covered, however, as substitutions are sometimes unavoidable (lots of bricks run out, for example, colors of materials are sometimes no longer made), we make it clear that an equal substitution will be made but only upon your approval. For items such as lighting fixtures or doorknobs that you have not chosen when the contract is signed, a budget is determined in the contract to cover exactly what will be spent on them.

What is a change order?

A change order is a written statement signed by the customer authorizing the contractor to do additional work not included in the original contract. The change order should be signed before the additional work is started, but often it is not in order to keep the project moving. The amount specified is due when the project is completed. A change order also may be written when a contractor comes across any unforeseen damage or problem.

If you have a question thats not listed in our FAQ’s, please feel free to contact us with your question. We look forward to hearing from you.

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