Services
The process in designing and building a new home is a collaborative journey that requires coordination between client, architect, other design professionals, and contractors. Here are the typical services that I provide to guide you on that journey.
Construction Cost Compass
The #1 question I am asked: “How much will it cost to build my home?”.
Many people approach me with the same problem: They needed a range of project costs so they could arrange financing or to see if they could even afford to build the home they wanted. The builders and other architects they had spoken to were unwilling, or unable, to give a construction cost range until the homeowners signed an agreement for a full package of design or construction services. Only a big financial commitment by the homeowners would get them the initial answers they wanted.
This is why I created the Construction Cost Compass service.
When you are planning to drive to a new place you’ve never been to, you can enter the destination into a navigation system and find out how to get there. The navigation system tells you how to start out and the route you need to go.
Not knowing how much construction will cost is the primary reason why people delay starting the journey of building their dream home. The Construction Cost Compass is the navigation service that gets you started on the correct route.
A general note for the design process:
My belief is that the more successful projects are ones where there is a collaborative effort between client, architect, and contractor. The earlier in the design process that I can coordinate with the contractor, the better the project will be.
If you have a contractor selected, I can work with your contractor. If you need a contractor, there are several that I know and can introduce to you, or I can assist you in searching for a contractor.
Needs and Options Review
Are you eager to turn your dream home into a reality, where your vision seamlessly takes shape? Your idea book is filled with inspiration, but you're stuck in a cycle of uncertainty. Most architects demand full-service commitments before revealing the feasibility and potential costs, which can be expensive and risky. Imagine a different approach. Picture an architect who listens closely to your aspirations, assesses your options, and partners with an experienced custom home builder to provide an initial budget estimate – all without locking you into a full design services agreement. Unlike others, we prioritize a comprehensive pre-design research phase called the Needs and Options Review. This phase includes the unique Design DNA Workshop, an exclusive exercise that uncovers your core desires, setting the foundation for future design decisions. You will be able to proceed confidently with your new home as you make informed decisions along the way and everyone involved is on the same page. The end result is the home you dreamed of while ultimately saving time and money.
The Needs and Options Review is tailored to your project and your needs. Click the button below to be directed to my Needs and Options Review landing page. From there, you can download the Needs and Options information pack. Just enter your name and email address and the information pack will be delivered right to your inbox. You can also contact me directly to discuss your goals.
Design Phase Services
This phase has multiple steps, but this is where pencil is put to paper and design of your project begins.
The first step is Schematic Design. This can include such items like rough sketches for room layout, adjacency requirements, and scale, or very basic computer drawings for something like a potential building footprint on a property survey that was provided. Ballpark construction estimates can be obtained from local data, or a builder if you have one selected. During Schematic Design, I also incorporate the local zoning code requirements with the developing design of your home. The preference would be to design a home that fits within all of the zoning requirements. However, there are times when hardships are encountered in complying with the zoning code. In these cases, a zoning variance may be needed. If I find that a zoning variance, or variances, is needed for your project, I would make every effort to notify you of this during the Needs and Options Review and during Schematic Design. That would give you and I the opportunity to discuss your options.
The next step would be Design Development. This step is a process where the design is further developed, fine tuned, and final design established. Different aspects of your home are developed in more detail, such room sizes, building footprint, building height, style of the home, preliminary interior and exterior finishes, and the early phases of structural design are introduced. I would also begin coordinating the designs of other consultants. Those consultants, depending on the project, could be a mechanical engineer, interior designer, audio/video designer, landscape architect, etc. The design is finalized is this phase in order for your project to proceed with the permitting process.
Throughout Design Development, a builder can start to provide more detailed construction estimates. This will help in making any further design adjustments so that the home as designed would fit into your budget, timeframe, etc.
The goal of the Design Phase Services is to set the design for your home and submit for zoning approval. Once zoning approval is obtained, the architectural services can then proceed on to the Construction Documents Phase.
Renderings
I can also provide computer modeling and renderings, both interior and exterior views, of your proposed home. Renderings can help you better understand size and shape of a building and what certain finishes would look like. No need to wait until construction starts to see what your home will look like. You can confidently make decisions about your project during the Design Phase, which would save you time and money.
Construction Documents Phase
Once zoning approval is obtained, I would start the Construction Documents Phase. In this phase, detailed drawings are created that serve as the instructions for building the home: Floor plans and building elevations are dimensioned and notes added to describe such things as materials, and window and door sizes; Details, building sections, and wall sections created that show the wall, floor, and ceiling assemblies; The structural engineer designs the entire structural system from foundation design to roof framing. Other consultants also prepare their detailed drawings to be used during construction.
Once all design professionals have completed their work, all of the Construction Documents, specifications, shop drawings, etc. are assembled into a set that is submitted for a building permit application. The township, or city, where the project is located will review the drawings for compliance with applicable building codes. Once the drawings are approved, the permit fee is paid by the Owner, and a building permit is issued.
Construction Phase Services
Construction begins once the building permit is obtained, but the architect’s services should not end at building permit issuance. Architectural services during construction are essential to the project and should not be excluded, by the Owner, from the scope of services.
During construction, the architect services include such things as continuing coordination with the contractor and other consultants, makes regular site visits for the purpose of general observations as to the progress of construction and construction adherence with the construction documents, process contractor requests for payments, and overall continues to work as your advocate until construction is finished.
