Residential Design Process
Initial meeting.
The first step is to have what’s called a “programming” meeting. During this meeting, we will sit down and discuss your needs, things like living spaces, number of bedrooms, and other specifics you want to see in the plan. We will also discuss styles and exterior details. Understanding your budget and the level of finish will be essential to ensure the design meets your financial goals.
One of the most critical aspects while designing a custom home is to understand your lifestyle. We will talk about how you and your family live, entertain, etc. The goal is to develop something that responds to your needs as well as your personality.
Schematic design phase.
The next step is to analyze the information I collect from the programming meeting and begin the design process. After the design concept is complete, we will schedule an appointment to present the designed floor plan and the front elevation. In this meeting, I will explain my ideas, and we will discuss your initial impressions. Understandably, you will be seeing everything for the first time, which is typically a lot to digest. I recommend that you take a day or two to get comfortable with the design before making sweeping changes.
We will work back and forth during the schematic design phase, adjusting the plans until the design accommodates your needs. This is a process that may involve minor changes to the initial design or drastic changes if necessary. During this phase, there is no hourly charge. This time is part of the original design fee. This is to ensure the emphasis is on the design and not the cost of the process.
Construction document phase.
After the schematic design phase is complete, work begins on the construction documents. (CD’s) “Construction Documents” is a term that essentially means the dimensioned plans the builder will use for bidding, permitting, and construction of your home. After the drawings are complete, the CDs are exported as PDF files for easy printing, distribution, and record keeping.
Timing.
“How long does the process take?” For the most part, the actual work involved in producing a design and subsequent construction document set remains consistent from house to house. The unknown part of the equation is the time needed to review plans, make changes, and collaborate back and forth. The faster we can do this together, the faster the project goes.
Working with my office has its advantages. I am a one-person shop without the time-consuming logistics of managing a staff. Details are less likely to be lost in translation or said to the wrong person. This simplicity results in the most efficient process possible.
Fees.
Unless noted otherwise, my fees are based on price per square foot for finished space. Garages, patios, and unfinished basement space are not calculated, unless they are of a nature that requires more attention to detail. The fee includes all changes and modifications we work through during the schematic design phase. I avoid charging on an hourly basis, as I want to keep the focus on the process and not on the clock. My goal is to ensure that the final design is everything that you hoped it would be.
Payment occurs in three installments: