The cost of restoring an eroding dune or investing in new beach stairs can feel overwhelming, especially when you're looking for a trustworthy company that actually delivers on time, on budget, and with outstanding quality. To help you get to know us better, here’s an overview of our three-stage process, from first contact to final inspection and beyond. If you have any questions about our work or want to contact recent clients, don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re happy to help! 

Estimate & Contract Process

• First contact: You reach out to us by email, phone call, or text -- we’re excited to hear from you and start this journey together.  Like a first date, we will ask lots of questions (like your property's address, email, type of dune, and problems you're having) and are happy to answer all of yours. 

• Site visit: We come ready to measure, take pictures, and evaluate important dune features like its slope, soil type, vegetation growth, and drainage. 

• Storing info: Your name, contact details, site photos, and dune measurements go into our confidential office database so we stay organized.

• Let’s talk again: We'll call you to discuss what we saw at your property, learn more about your concerns, and answer your questions.

• Here's our ballpark: After reviewing everything, we'll give you our free ballpark estimate--usually within 30% of the final number—so you have a sense of what to expect.

• Diving in: If you feel good about the ballpark estimate, we'll develop a detailed estimate with a concept sketch, making sure the project complies with Michigan Building Code & Michigan's Critical Dune Area Program (EGLE).  For complex projects, we recommend an initial Project Development Contract (around $2500). That usually includes consulting an engineer or architect for their professional advice or providing permit-ready drawings. Either way, we’ll email you our best prediction of the project's costs and timeline then call you to discuss it.

• Sign up: Once you're happy with the estimate, we'll email you a contract that includes project scope, payments, and expectations. We normally ask for a 30% downpayment, 40% when we get started, and 30% when the project is complete. This is a fixed price contract, which means the price is the price unless you ask for changes or something totally unexpected happens.

Time to Work

• Kick-off: When we receive your signed contract and downpayment, we schedule your project, order materials, and apply for all the needed permits. We'll also reserve site essentials, like a portable toilet and dumpster.

• Site visit: Our sales and operations teams check out the project site together and carefully review the plan to avoid mistakes and miscommunications.

• First day moves: We move our tools, equipment, and materials to the site, and the project manager orients the crew to the site, project, and assigned tasks. If needed, we'll you send a gentle reminder that the second payment is due. 

• On site oversight: Our foreman is on site 100% of the work time, and our project manager is on site almost every day to answer questions, teach new skills, and oversee quality. One or both of the owners will also stop by a few times to check in with the crew and monitor progress.

• Updates: We take photos every day and send you regular progress reports so you can follow along and ask questions.  If you ask for any changes to the project, we'll document them in an email so everyone is on the same page; change order payments are normally due immediately. 

• Last day: We handle all the final details like making the site spotless, taking pictures, and scheduling any inspections that might be needed. We'll remove our equipment and call for the toilet and dumpster to be removed ASAP so you can enjoy your home in peace.

• Time to celebrate! We’d love to meet you at site to show you the finished work and make sure you're happy with the results. Behind the scenes, we have a small crew celebration and a quick review of our wins and lessons learned.

Wrapping Up

• Final invoice:  Our office will email your final invoice, which includes the project scope and a summary of payments.

• Show and tell: We’ll share project highlights on social media and update our website gallery, but we won't mention your name or address without your prior permission. If you’re satisfied with our work, we'd love your testimonial for the website or a Google review to help others find us, too.

• Follow-up call: A month or so after the project is complete, we’ll call to make sure all’s well. If anything needs a second look, we’ll schedule a visit to make any last fixes or touch-ups promptly.

• Looking ahead: We’ll call again in 6 months or so to talk about any future dune services you might need.  Keep in mind that we offer a 1% referral gift to thank you for connecting us to a new client.