Whether by phone, email, or in person, the first steps are to collect as much detailed information as we can about your project. We can work from existing plans, your own sketches, or just your ideas. Our designers will consider anything to start the process, our primary goal being to establish what your wish list is first, such as square footage, style of house, number of bedrooms, baths, etc.

With that information, we can then start looking at plan options and strategies that not only fulfill your wants, but also suits your specific needs in providing optimally functional spaces that fit your personality and lifestyle.

Once we've had a chance to go over your project in enough detail to move forward, we will then put together a written proposal consisting of an itemized breakdown of services being provided by us, an estimated timeline and cost for those services, and any other relevant specifics related to your project.

Upon acceptance of this proposal, we do require a 50% down payment in order to begin drafting your plans, with the other half being collected upon completion of your project.

No matter if we're starting from scratch, redrawing old plans to be modified, or making changes to already existing plans, the first set of drawings are what we call "preliminary" drawings. This first set usually includes a simplified floor plan and exterior elevations that help bring the overall scope of the project into sharper focus.

Working closely with you, these preliminary drawings provide the visual representation needed for you to decide what changes or adjustments you'd like to see made.

Working from the preliminary plans can often times be an exciting phase of the design process. From the initial floor plan, you'll gain unique insight into how your spaces interact with each other and be given the opportunity to fine tune and enhance the functionality, and personality, of your layout.

The initial exterior elevations are also an essential element in deciding, for example, which roof pitch best suits your preference and style, and likewise for siding and/or stone options.

At this stage most everything is taken care of to take your project to final, but a small change here or there is not at all uncommon. We leave some wiggle room in your proposal for these types of requests, as every project requires some kind of tweaking to get it just right. You will only be charged for those plan change requests when they exceed the agreed upon number of hours set in your proposal.

Prior to receiving your final construction plans, we can also put together for you what is called a "bid set".

A bid set is a nearly finalized version of your plans that contains enough information to obtain bids from builders, contractors, suppliers, or any other parties that may be involved in the construction of your new home. It's important to keep in mind that yes, you can still modify your plans if need be, but at this stage of the process, it is more likely than not it could exceed the proposal limits mentioned earlier.

That being said, rest assured we are with you every step of the way to keep your project on track and within your budget.

Once all the changes have been made and your plans have been given a thorough review, we are ready to hand the final plans over to you. You are now ready to submit for permit and take the next steps towards your dream home!

Ready to take your first step? Reach out and let's talk about how we can work together to achieve your goals towards your new home.