How We Price: Open Book
At Transparent Construction, our name is our promise. We price every project open book: you see our actual costs and one stated fee, and nothing is hidden inside a lump sum.
What you pay for
- Our crew. Work done by our own team is billed at published labor rates: one rate for skilled work (carpentry, framing, finish, installation, supervision), a lower rate for general labor (cleanup, haul-off, demolition, site protection), and a project management rate. These rates cover wages, payroll taxes, L&I insurance, benefits, vehicles and small tools. You will see the current rates on every estimate.
- Subcontractors and suppliers. Trade partners, materials, equipment rental, permits and disposal are billed at our actual documented cost. Invoices and receipts are available on request.
- Our fee. One stated fee is added to labor and to subcontractor and supplier costs. It covers project management, insurance, warranty, our office and a fair profit. Each fee is applied once, never on top of another markup.
How we keep it fair
- Estimates are our honest best projection. Final invoices reflect actual hours and documented costs, and unused allowances are credited back to you.
- No surprise charges. Any change in scope or price is written up as a change order and approved by you before the work proceeds, unless discussed otherwise.
- Clear travel terms. Projects in Seattle, Bellevue, Sammamish and the Eastside include travel time or a daily mobilization charge, stated up front on the estimate.
- Rates reviewed once a year. Rates are updated each January, and the rates in effect on your proposal date apply to your project.
Featured Construction & Remodeling Projects
Our portfolio includes residential remodeling, historic renovations, custom construction, and new-build projects throughout Tacoma and the surrounding region.
Why Choose Transparent Construction?
Construction involves significant decisions about your property, budget, schedule, and long-term investment. Our approach is built around giving you the information and expertise needed to make those decisions with greater clarity.
We start with a comprehensive estimate designed to provide a realistic picture of potential project costs.
Our goal is to identify foreseeable costs early, reduce surprises, and look for opportunities to lower costs as the project becomes more clearly defined.
We perform much of our work with our in-house team and coordinate skilled specialty subcontractors when needed.
This approach helps us maintain closer oversight of scheduling, workmanship, communication, and the details connecting each stage of construction.
Construction decisions can have implications beyond how a finished space looks.
We bring technical construction knowledge to planning and execution while providing clear explanations of project risks, processes, structural considerations, and available options.
When appropriate, our consulting capabilities can also support property owners with construction planning, risk assessments, and informed decision-making.
Every client has a different level of construction experience and a different preference for how involved they want to be.
We tailor our communication and approach accordingly while maintaining the same foundation: trust, clarity, attention to detail, and quality workmanship.