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FAQ's
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How do I add a new question & answer?To add a new FAQ follow these steps: 1. Click “Manage FAQs” button 2. From your site’s dashboard you can add, edit and manage all your questions and answers 3. Each question and answer should be added to a category 4. Save and publish.
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Can I insert an image, video, or gif in my FAQ?Yes. To add media follow these steps: 1. Enter the app’s Settings 2. Click on the “Manage FAQs” button 3. Select the question you would like to add media to 4. When editing your answer click on the camera, video, or GIF icon 5. Add media from your library.
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What types of buildings do you build?T.DC specializes in nonprofits, schools, and churches. We have extensive experience in new construction, full renovations, and tenant finish-outs. So, if you're starting fresh or bringing life back to an existing structure we have you covered, literally. We stay current on modern design and building practices also we have a foundation of knowledge in older restorations that allows us to be effective in historical properties.
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How do I edit or remove the “FAQ” title?You can edit the title from the Settings tab in the app. If you don’t want to display the title, simply disable the Title under “Info to Display”.
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What nonprofits do you work with?We love our nonprofits! Here is a list of organizations we have helped in the past: • The Holdsworth Center • North East Independent School District • San Antonio Independent School District • Randolph Field Independant School District • Girls Inc of San Antonio • The Charles Butt Foundation • Raise Your Hand Texas -Austin • Respite Care of San Antonio • Champion Center of Las Vegas • ICSi Cyber Security School • San Antonio CAN Academy • Autism Community Network -San Antonio • Gateway Church -Austin • Restoration Church -San Antonio • Guadalupe Community Center • H-E-B Operation Appreciation • Homes For Our Troops • Operation Finally Home • Recovery In Motion • Rockhills Church • Concordia Church • CAST Schools CAST Med CAST Tech CAST Lead CAST Teach CAST Stem
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What is a project delivery method?Simply stated, they are ways in which construction projects are completed. Here are some examples of project delivery methods: Design-Bid-Build (D-B-B) In Design-Bid-Build, the owner develops contract documents with an architect or engineer consisting of a set of blueprints and a detailed specification. Bids are solicited from contractors based on these documents; a contract is then awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. This is the traditional model for public sector infrastructure projects Design-Build (DB) In Design-Build, an owner develops a conceptual plan for a project, then solicits bids from joint ventures. These joint venture companies will consist of architects and/or engineer and builders for the design and construction of the project. This is an alternative to the traditional model for public infrastructure projects that does not involve Private Financing. Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) In the CMAR Process, the owner selects a construction manager (CM) before or early in the design process. The construction manager advises the architect during the design and planning phases and then often acts as the equivalent of an owner's rep during the construction phase. Designpower (Perfect for Nonprofits) Read about Designpower
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What is Desig(npo)wer?Designpower is a project delivery method that finally favors nonprofits. It's the smart way to supercharge your build and get the most bang for your buck. Using Designpower takes the insane amount of work that has to be done in a construction project off of the nonprofits plate and creates efficiencies in a system of antiquated construction methodologies. Designpower combines; Owners Representation with FF&E and Environmental Design to deliver a strategic approach to constructing a nonprofit building. The resulting product is a beautiful branded space that speaks the language of your program, your culture, and your story.
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What is Environmental Design?By the way it sounds, you might think of landscape design or adding trees inside of the atrium of a building. But when it pertains to architecture, Environmental Design is more than that. Environmental Design is designing building from the inside out. It is designing the idea that drives the project. Your program, culture, message, story, and brand are what form connections with your audience, so we let those fundamentals drive the outcome of the project.
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What is FF&E?FF&E stands for "furniture, fixtures, and equipment." In architecture and interior design, FF&E typically encompasses all movable or easily removed objects in a building, not including sell-able products. FF&E is often not supplied by the general contractor, but may be installed by them.
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Why is FF&E important?Every building has some elements of cost that are related to FF&E. These are referred to as "soft-costs". Soft costs usually make up 15%-30% of a construction budget so they play a huge role in the overall planning stages. To underestimate the total costs of building construction can be catastrophic for a developer or business. Since FF&E costs can be significant, to be surprised by unanticipated costs late in the development process can cause severe financial hardship. This is just another reason why Designpower is such a huge asset for nonprofits.
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How can Desig(npo)wer help owners with FF&E?As designers, we create amazing FF&E packages that complement your base building finishes and branding. We leverage our vast vendor network to get you the best deals. And, we activate our team of project coordinators and procurement experts to start the process early enough to circumnavigate longer than usual lead-times and financial blind spots. We do all of this with one thing in mind, your program! Designpower digs directly to the core of what makes your program so special and brings scalability and life to the functionality your space.
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Does branding mean a logo?Many people think so. So if you said “yes”, you are not alone. But just because you have a cool logo and website doesn't mean that people will form a connection with your brand. A brand is a relationship with its customer. A brand is a persons gut feeling about your company. It touches about every aspect of your business possible. A logo is a tool that helps us identify that brand. Brands use logos to help customers make a quick visual association with their business and mission. At T. Donovan Creative, we build “human brands.” Which means, a brand that exhibits traits and interacts with its customer as a human would. We give your company its own unique voice and an identity system that offers a relationship rather than a transaction. This is something far more valuable than just a quick logo design.
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How do I pick the right architect?If your at this point STOP!!! Though the exception, we have had projects where we didn't even require one. Designpower helps you identify the perfect architect for you project. We help you negotiate your contract and fast-track the project by taking over a good portion of the architects work. This gets you the biggest bang for your buck. If we were too late and you already contracted one, thats ok too. Designpower can still be effective getting you through the rest of the project and add amazing value to your build.
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Are all owners reps the same?For the most part, yes. Most owners reps are all well versed in the design and construction process and can be an asset to the project in some capacity. However, where design is concerned, owners reps can be narrow-sighted in terms of how nonprofits operate. Most owner’s rep’s first priority is to watch out for the client’s immediate interest. This often translates to watching out for the client’s construction budget more than what’s best for the success of the clients program and relationship with their designer. As Interior designers we know the benefit of working directly with our clients, and the personal touch that’s required. It’s a relationship built on trust, openness, and strategy. Most owners reps are familiar with what the client wants and how much is left in the budget, but have very frame of reference in terms of aesthetics, space planning, and FF&E. These are the things that drive your program, create scalability in your services, and speak the language of your brand. This is where Designpower facilitates a wildly different role than that of an owners rep. Designpower offers the same attention to budget and timeline but puts your program first. When your funding is based off of the efficacy of your program, your interior space should drive your build. Designpower invites a team of nonprofit designers and construction gurus to your table to prioritize your program and we build from the inside out. We become ingrained in your mission, learning everything we can about your nonprofit. Once we are absolute about our mission at hand, we use our extensive knowledge of environmental design, leverage our deep bench of experts, and get the architects and engineers designing around your program.
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What is an owners rep and is having one really necessary?An Owner’s Representative, in its most basic definition, is the person or company who represents the owner of a building in a construction project. Starting in the planning stages, an Owner’s Representative advises the owner to ensure the owner’s project needs are met and that the project comes in on time and under budget. The Owner’s Rep usually has technical expertise in construction, real estate, and architecture. The role manages relationships by creating alignment between general contractors, architects, construction companies, municipal authorities, and financial institutions involved in the project. There are some who feel that owners' representatives add an unnecessary layer of bureaucracy — and cost — to construction projects. Which may have some truth to it depending on who you ask. Just keep in mind, the person selling you the car may not be the best judge on whether or not you're getting a good deal. Most boards, on the other hand, are in favor of hiring an owners rep. There may be some members that think construction is a breeze, you have plenty of time on your hands, and it's your job to be a decision maker to lead the construction effort with the small team of volunteers around you. But for the most part, most members will see the value in having a nonprofit sidekick like Designpower. Bottom line is we don't like seeing nonprofits being taken advantage of. It happens all too often where organizations are coaxed into decisions with a couple cool renderings and then heartbroken because the construction costs wont support what was designed. We hate that, and Designpower prevents that. When determining if Designpower is right for you, consider the structure of your organization, your level of combined construction knowledge, and spare time you have. Mistakes can be costly and an extra set of eyes, as well as a resource for second opinions can be invaluable on construction projects — expertise that an owner or board typically does not have.
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What is an FAQ section?An FAQ section can be used to quickly answer common questions about you or your business, such as “Where do you ship to?”, “What are your opening hours?” or “How can I book a service?” It’s a great way to help people navigate your site and can even boost your site’s SEO.
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Do I need Desig(npo)wer when I have an architect? *****this is new
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What is the architects responsibility?dfgb
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What is the general contractors responsibility?er
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How do I run my organization during construction?vfd
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Is my project too small or too big for Desig(npo)wer?Designpower is most effective for nonprofits, schools, and churches. This project delivery method works best for projects that require an architect, a general contractor, and a group of key stakeholders that share communal pool of construction knowledge and expertise. Too Big- The project delivery method Designpower doesn't have a cap to how large it can grow. It's a methodology that has unlimited scalability. T. Donovan Creative is the only company that currently offers Designpower so the project size is relative to what our company can take on at any given time. Too Small- Projects less than $500,000?
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Why can't I run my own project?Heather- I have compiled a short list of opening responses Because even WE are having a hard time, jeez the audacity. You think you can do what we do? You want to do it? Fine, have atter! Good luck with that "contingency budget" buck-o. You think for a second the architect has your best interest at heart? Get real. That guy ignored your call three days in advance. I saw him punch a child once. Unless your name rhymes with Leather Flank you probably will have a bad time. 1/10 - would not recommend "Don't let them do that" - Corey's Mom "You can drive a car with your feet if you wanted too, doesn't make it a good f******* idea" - Chris Rock You can! Into the ground... With repetition. Because we saw what you did with your stimulus money mama, your judgement isn't what you think it is. Have you ever heard of "being stuck between a rock and a hard place?" You're the hard place. And the rock. And yourself. You are a trifecta of construction incompetence.
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How do I pick the right general contractor?gyufuyg
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What’s included in your fees and how are they charged?dfhoa
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How can your company save my project time?yukouh
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How can your company save my project money?hyggkugiy
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