The VIVO Design-Build Process
in Richmond, VA

Everything begins with proper planning, not assumptions. We work with Obsidian Engineering and our lead engineer Charlie, who has over 30 years of experience drafting plans that meet every Richmond, Henrico, and Chesterfield city requirement.

During the initial plan delivery, we sit down with you and walk through every detail of the blueprints. Every measurement is reviewed. Every structural component is confirmed. You see exactly what we are about to build before we touch a single tool.

From there we move into the engineering correction process. I take your feedback directly back to Charlie and make sure every adjustment is code-compliant. Nothing is left to interpretation on a VIVO project.

With the corrected plans in hand, I personally submit for the building permit. Permit review time depends on which county we are working in — Richmond, Henrico, Chesterfield, Glen Allen, Midlothian, Moseley, or Manakin-Sabot all have their own timelines, and we build that into your schedule from day one.

Once the permit is approved, I meet with you one last time to walk the final plans. This is your last chance to ask questions, raise concerns, or make a change before we break ground. We don't move forward until you've signed off and everything makes sense.

One of the things that sets VIVO apart is our software. We share our project management system with you and it is live at any given moment.

You'll be able to see your build schedule. You'll be able to see your signed contract. You'll be able to see any change orders if we have any along the way, along with your material selections and finishes. Nothing happens on your project that you don't have full visibility into.

This level of transparency is not common in residential remodeling. Most contractors keep clients in the dark and respond only when something goes wrong. VIVO is built on the opposite model.

Once the schedule is live, we move into pre-construction. This is where we go over where the dumpster will sit, where the port-a-john will go, and where the material will be staged. We also map out logistics throughout your neighborhood so the crew knows exactly where to put everything.

This is where our Project Manager, Victor, comes in. He handles the schedule and the material sheet. The material sheet tells us exactly when materials are coming in and how much we need to order so there are no delays.

Once that is rolling, I step in. I take Victor's plan and walk it through with our Superintendent, Jaime. Victor and I work hand in hand to make sure Jaime understands every material, every location, and every quantity. That is how we keep continuous workflow on a job site.

Before we ever swing a hammer, we go inside your home and protect your furniture and your flooring. If anything needs to be moved, we either relocate it on-site or move it into a storage unit. We treat your home the way we'd treat our own.

Once protection is in place, demolition begins. From there we move straight into framing. Framing is tactical because weather is unpredictable, material has to be lined up, and the crew has to be ready to go. The blueprints have to be precise. Every door frame, every trim location, every HVAC penetration is placed exactly where the plans say it should be.

Once framing is complete, the county inspects every detail — electrical, plumbing, HVAC, insulation, framing. We do not skip steps. We do not cut corners. Every inspection passes the first time because we plan for it from day one.

This is what we call the choreographed dance. Paint primer goes on the walls. Hardwood flooring goes down. Ceramic tile is installed. Then we come back and finish the walls.

Why this order? Because when dust kicks up during floor installation, you don't want it landing on a finished wall. So we prime the walls first, install the floors, protect them with brand board, and then finish painting. This is the level of sequencing that keeps a luxury renovation looking flawless on day one.

Once construction is complete, we move into the punch list process. I walk the home with you in person and we flag anything that needs to be corrected. Once every item is closed out, we do a final deep clean and hand the home over in perfect condition.

Once your project is complete, you have a 1-year workmanship warranty on everything we built, installed, or finished. Anything that needs attention during that window gets handled by the same VIVO team that built your home.

We stand behind our work and we are proud of what we do. If you live in Richmond, Henrico, Chesterfield, Glen Allen, Midlothian, Moseley, or Manakin-Sabot and you'd like to experience this kind of construction process, we'd love to hear from you.

For VIVO, success in construction begins with planning. Every project. Every time.