PROCESS

INITIAL MEETING

Our process starts with an initial meeting during which we’ll review your project’s needs, program requirements, services to be provided, budget, and timeframe. We’ll discuss your desired aesthetic, style, inspirations, and wish list. We realize that for many clients building or renovating a home is a new venture and we’ll answer any questions you may have about the process. This is also an opportunity for both us and you to see if we are a good fit for working together. The decision to move forward depends on the project requirements, expertise needed, time, and budget. If we find that our design services are a good fit for your project, we will prepare a proposal outlining the program, services, and fee.

How to prepare for our initial meeting? Aside from any existing floor plans or site surveys, a general wish list of all the work to be done is helpful. Inspirational images can be shared with us via email, boards on Pinterest, or ideabooks on Houzz. Also, review our FAQS page for often asked questions.

DESIGN (Let the fun begin!)

OUR DESIGN PROCESS HAS FOUR PHASES

EXISTING CONDITIONS Before we can start on the design, we need to establish the existing parameters that we are working with. This may include a plot plan or site survey and research of local zoning codes. In the case of additions and renovations, we conduct a survey to measure the existing home and prepare CAD documentation. Drawings include floor plans, building sections, and building elevations as needed.

SCHEMATIC DESIGN Initial plans are developed based on the existing conditions and your program requirements. A plot plan is provided showing the location of a new building or an addition on site, as needed. Floor plan and elevation sketches convey arrangement of spaces and overall style of the building. These preliminary designs are refined during client-architect coordination.

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT Upon approval of the schematic design sketches, we prepare more detailed plans that further define the design and we coordinate with our structural engineer consultant. These plans are suitable for contractor estimate pricing. This is a good check point in the process to ensure that the design and budget are aligned. Whether you request bids from several contractors or negotiate a contract with just one, finding a competent contractor that you feel comfortable with is imperative. We can help you with recommendations if needed.

CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTATION The design development drawings are further refined to produce the construction documents. These include floor plans, building sections, building elevations, details, and schedules. All design is finalized in this phase and these drawings are used for final pricing, permit submission, and the construction of your project. At this point, the design is handed off to your contractor. We have documented what to build, and now it’s up to them to use their own experience and expertise as to how to build your project. We are here to ensure that it’s done in accordance with the design intent.

CONSTRUCTION (It’s getting real now!)

CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION The design is complete, but we are still here to guide you through the construction of your project. Our involvement during construction varies with each project and may include site visits, fielding contractor questions, and providing construction clarification. It is our goal that the design you fell in love with is realized in the built form.

Do you have a project you would like to discuss with us? Please fill out our CONTACT FORM.