FAQS

WORKING WITH US

  • We specialize in high-quality residential and commercial construction, including historic renovations, additions, new construction, multifamily projects, restaurants and offices.

    Our work ranges in style and scope, but the common denominator is complexity: projects that benefit from thoughtful planning, close coordination and a high level of craftsmanship.

  • Entablature is based in New Orleans and is licensed for residential and commercial construction in Louisiana and residential construction in Mississippi.

  • We believe the quality of the experience matters just as much as the quality of the finished project.

    Construction is complicated. Our job is to make it feel manageable. Our role is to take ownership of that complexity and not pass it along to you. We anticipate what’s coming, ask the questions you may not know to ask, coordinate the people and decisions involved, and create a clear path from the earliest conversations through completion. The result is not only exceptional work, but a process in which you feel informed, supported and confident in the decisions being made.

    We do the right thing, and do the thing right. This standard guides both how we build and how we work with the people who trust us to do it.

  • A better way to build begins long before construction starts.

    We take an active role in aligning the owner, architect, interior designer and construction team around the project's scope, budget, schedule and expectations. The goal is to identify potential problems early, reduce unnecessary friction during construction and create a process in which everyone understands where we're going and how we're going to get there

  • Our best relationships are with clients who care deeply about their homes, appreciate thoughtful design and craftsmanship, and want an experienced team to guide them through the complexities of construction.

    You do not need to even know what questions to ask.  We will ask them for you.

    What we do ask is that our clients participate in the process, communicate openly, meet important decision deadlines and trust the systems we've developed to keep the project moving forward.

  • No. Historic renovation is an important part of our expertise, especially in New Orleans, but our work also includes additions, new construction, multifamily and commercial projects.

    What historic work has taught us exceptionally well is how to solve complex problems, respect existing architecture and execute new work with an extraordinary degree of care.

  • Absolutely. Collaboration is fundamental to our process. We regularly work alongside architects and interior designers and view the relationship between owner, designer and builder as one team working toward the same goal. When those disciplines are aligned early, we can make better decisions about constructability, scheduling, budget and execution.

  • Earlier is usually better. The more opportunity we have to understand the project before construction begins, the more effectively we can identify potential challenges, evaluate details and help the entire team make informed decisions.

    One of the best ways to control complexity during construction is to resolve as much as possible before construction starts.

BEFORE CONSTRUCTION

  • Yes. Selecting your builder early can give you greater clarity around cost before construction begins. A truly firm price requires a clearly defined scope. When a builder joins the team while the design is still developing, we can help evaluate costs, materials, methods and constructability as decisions are being made rather than pricing everything after the fact. This gives the owner and design team an opportunity to understand the financial impact of choices along the way and make adjustments before construction begins.

    Choosing a builder early is less about committing to a number before you know it and more about choosing the team you trust to help you arrive at the right number.

  • Pre-construction is where we establish the foundation for a successful project. We review the project carefully, coordinate with the design team, establish expectations and work to identify unresolved details or ambiguities before they make their way into the field.

    This stage is critical because decisions made before construction begins can have an outsized impact on budget, schedule and the overall experience once work is underway.

  • We believe clarity is essential. Construction involves hundreds of individual components, and price alone rarely tells the full story of a proposal. We encourage clients to understand not only what something costs, but what is included, how it will be executed and what level of service and oversight accompanies that number.

    Material quality is part of that conversation. Many elements of a project can be specified and executed at very different levels of quality and cost. We work with the owner and design team to understand where investment matters most, evaluate options and make informed decisions that support both the design intent and the overall budget.

    Our objective is not simply to arrive at the lowest number. It is to create the greatest value and establish realistic expectations for the work ahead.

  • We look for ambiguity before construction begins. Plans, specifications and scope are reviewed with the goal of identifying unanswered questions and resolving them early. A thorough pre-construction process cannot eliminate every unknown, particularly in renovation projects, but it can substantially reduce preventable surprises.

    If a change order is required, it is presented via our project management system for approval prior to any work commencing so that the decision remains visible to everyone involved.

  • A construction schedule is made up of many interdependent pieces such as permitting, demolition, framing, inspections, material lead times, selections, subcontractors and countless smaller activities. We manage those moving parts as one coordinated schedule and communicate important milestones throughout the project. We provide this schedule via BuilderTrend, our project management platform, prior to starting every project, and first reviewing it during the project kickoff meeting.

    It is also a shared responsibility. Some construction materials have significant lead times, and one late decision can affect several activities that follow it. We establish selection and approval deadlines to keep those decisions from disrupting the critical path.

DURING CONSTRUCTION

  • Your project deserves more than one person. High-end construction contains an enormous number of details and moving parts, which is why Entablature projects are supported by a team rather than relying solely on a single project manager.

    That team includes leadership, construction management, administrative support and selections coordination. Our owner, Chris Kornman, is personally involved during pre-construction and remains engaged through completion.

    This structure gives your project multiple sets of experienced eyes and creates continuity from the earliest conversations through move-in.

  • We use BuilderTrend as the central hub for your project. It’s a cloud-based project management platform. 

    There, you can see schedules, project documents, progress photos, financial information, selections, change orders, assigned tasks and project communication. We also maintain regular face-to-face communication with clients throughout construction.

    The goal is simple: one organized source of truth, supported by a team you know how to reach.

    We'll walk you through how to use it at the beginning of your project.

  • We'll handle the construction. Your involvement is most important when a decision, selection or approval requires your input. We'll identify those items, give you deadlines and provide the information you need to make informed decisions.

    Our systems are designed to let you stay informed without requiring you to manage the project yourself.

  • This is one of the realities of renovation, particularly in older homes. Walls, floors and ceilings can conceal previous construction, structural conditions, water damage, outdated systems or other conditions that simply could not be seen beforehand.

    When something unexpected is uncovered, we evaluate the condition, coordinate with the appropriate members of the project team and clearly communicate the recommended path forward.

  • We believe excellent construction depends on excellent people. We prioritize skilled subcontractors and tradespeople and invest in long-term working relationships that create accountability, consistency and reliability. On a complex project, knowing who is performing the work, and knowing the standard expected of them, matters.

  • Yes. Historic construction requires an understanding of both preservation and modern building performance.

    Depending on the home, that might mean restoring original floors, windows or plaster; custom-milling trim to match an existing profile; working within historic district requirements; carefully integrating modern mechanical systems; or determining how to add new space without compromising the character of the original structure.

AFTER CONSTRUCTION

  • Yes. Our relationship with you does not end when construction ends. Entablature stands behind its workmanship with a written warranty, We'll explain the warranty and request process in detail as your project reaches completion.

  • We want you to love your home. But we also want you to look back on the people and the process that created it and feel the same way.

    A beautiful house shouldn't have to come at the expense of a miserable construction experience. Our goal is to give you both: an exceptional finished project and a team you were glad to have beside you while it was being built. Do the right thing. Do the thing right.

    That's our standard from the first conversation to the day we welcome you home.