Sheaffer Construction is a Virginia-based construction company that works on residential and commercial projects throughout the Greater Washington area. We are proud to have developed a reputation for uncompromising quality, having served customers in and around the DMV for over three decades.
At Sheaffer Construction, our primary focus is on our customers. That’s why we dedicate so much time working with them to realize their unique needs and goals. Whether you’re concerned about a project’s timeline, design, cost, environmental impact and more, we will do everything in our power to accommodate you and your values. Moreover, our experienced contractors, carpenters, designers and construction project managers are extensively equipped and ready to work around these complex constraints and address your concerns.
As always, our goal is to make your project on time, on budget, and better than expected. Read more about our client-focused services and comprehensive construction process below.
Top Reasons (Q&A)
What makes Sheaffer Construction unique?
Sheaffer Construction filters all decisions through our clients, guaranteeing that our projects are not only aligned with their unique goals and values, but ensuring that all projects are developed out of their unique point of view. Moreover, because our clients are our primary concern, we take other considerations—concerns over costs, noise, environmental issues, timelines, design choices, etc.—very seriously, using these constraints to nourish our creative thinking and brainstorm out-of-the-box solutions.
What kind of experience do you have?
We are experienced in a wide variety of projects, from small renovations to large commercial projects to custom construction projects. We have done extensive work in both commercial (retail, restaurants, office buildings, storage structures, warehouses, etc.) as well as residential (custom homes, sheds and other dwellings). Sheaffer Construction is also experienced in a variety of specialty jobs, including solar panel and smart home appliance installation, detached garage construction, workshops, aircraft hangars, horse barns and stables, and other custom projects.
How are our projects supervised?
Many construction projects can have dozens of subcontractors, specialty trades, and material suppliers all with their own specific duties and responsibilities, and very little supervision. Our projects, in contrast, are always staffed with a Construction Project Supervisor who is responsible for ensuring that each of our projects is in accordance with the requirements of the contract documents, approved plans, specifications, and building codes. Moreover, each construction project is also overseen by a project manager who will observe and supervise the projects progress to ensure that strict adherence to quality assurance and superior workmanship are fully met and documented.
Who will be my contact person during the project?
Once approved for construction, each client is partnered with a Construction Project Manager (CPM) who is responsible for the direction, regulation and supervision of a project from early development to completion. The ultimate goal of our Construction Project Managers is the full satisfaction of our client’s demands for a viable project both in terms of usability, design and budget.
What if I’m concerned about energy efficiency?
At Sheaffer Construction, we understand how many of our clients are environmentally-conscious, favoring sustainable construction and alternative energy options, as well as renewable building materials and insulation. For these reasons, we strive to stay informed and up to date with the latest eco-friendly construction processes and building equipment, and are always on the lookout for new ways to minimize our environmental impact. As part of this initiative, our contractors have extensive experience installing solar panels and EV-charging stations, and are eager to answer your questions and assist you in your eco-construction job.
Can you give me a timeline?
While construction timelines vary depending on the nature of each project and the work required, general residential projects will take 2-4 weeks while commercial projects can take anywhere from 6 to 9 months. Sheaffer Construction understands the nature of time-sensitive construction projects, and will make accommodations for short time frames (around the clock shifts, critical path management, etc.) when necessary.
How do you ensure project accuracy?
Despite the best efforts of many contractors to keep track of every detail prior to and throughout construction, many contractors fall trap to neglecting to document each step over the course of the project. Unfortunately, this can often result in loose ends involving unexpected costs, missed design details, job-site issues, and other concerns involving project quality and workmanship. For these reasons, Sheaffer employees an on-site transcriber for every project, who is responsible for documenting all items that come up in discussion, keeping track of our client’s budgetary goals, aesthetic values, and other considerations, and cataloguing these insights. This ensures that all construction projects meet the requirements of our clients and that no detail is unaccounted for.
What’s your work routine like?
All Sheaffer Construction builds follow a highly detailed process, ensuring that all project steps are completed in a timely and appropriate order, and minimizing slack and oversights. For a comprehensive overview of all design and construction steps, refer to our “Steps To Build” guide below, which specifies all construction tasks in order from “collecting information” (for construction designs) to the final product walkthrough.
Steps To Build
The following details the general progress of our design process:
- Collect Information
- Brainstorm with other funder/executors
- Talk to City Planner
- Rough sketch some ideas with executors/friends
- Talk to neighbors
- Develop Solutions
- Integrated Design Process
- Meet with Architects
- Find builders and subs
- Architect draws up schematics for consideration
- Meeting to discuss design goals
- Refinement
- Schematic refinement
- 3D model (we use SketchUp)
- Develop drawings for City
- Final Steps
- Permit process (+/- 30 days)
- Permits
The following details the general progression of our building process:
- Prepare construction site
- Break Ground
- Excavation
- Pour Foundation
- Concrete Forms
- Pour Foundation Wall
- Construct Rough Framing
- Floors, Walls and Roof are Completed
- Concrete Slab Pour
- Gravel
- Water Barrier
- Rigid Foam
- Rebar (and PEX tubing for radiant floor heating)
- Pour Concrete for Slab
- Complete Rough Plumbing, Electrical & HVAC
- Rough Plumbing
- Utilities
- Sewer, Electrical, Water, Gas
- Install Insulation
- Framing
- Balloon Framing
- Sheathing
- Insulation
- Spray Foam, Blown-in Insulation, or Batt Insulation
- Complete Drywall and Interior Textures; Begin Exterior Finishes
- Drywall
- Sheetrock, Mudding, Sanding, Primer
- Roof
- Stairs
- Windows
- Roofing
- Finish Interior Trim and Exterior
- Weather Resistant Barrier
- Rain Screen
- Perimeter Fixtures
- Install Driveways & Walkways
- Air Sealing
- Install Hard-Surface Flooring & Countertops
- Flooring
- Tiling
- Painting
- Cabinets & Shelving
- Finish Mechanical Trims
- Install Mechanical Fixtures
- Lighting & Electrical
- Ambient Touches
- Install Mirrors, Doors and Finish Exterior Landscaping
- Finish All Other Construction Tasks
- Final Walkthrough With Builder
- Certificate of Occupancy
- Modifications
Browse some of our past projects or contact us to get started today!