The design-build approach to planning your project helps guarantee that you receive the best possible value for the money you plan to spend. Together we consider all of the possible options for your project and tailor fit the design to your needs, wants, desires and budget. You play an active role in the design and product decisions and are able to see the effect they have on the overall budget. You work with the Project Designer every step of the way from Design Concept through Construction Documentation. The goal is to develop plans and a detailed scope of work so that fewer changes occur during the construction process – thereby shortening the construction time and mitigating cost overruns. So whether you are planning a kitchen remodel, addition or entire house renovation, this interactive process is sure to deliver exactly what you want.
The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the scope and budget of the project. During the meeting we discuss your ideas and develop a list of needs, wants and desires. We survey the interior and exterior of your home and take measurements as required. We evaluate the surrounding homes and general architecture of the neighborhood. We discuss your financial budget for the project. With this information we formulate a design concept that is tailored to your specific situation.
Following our Initial Meeting we will produce a design concept for your project that approximates the reconfiguration and addition of the desired spaces. This design concept accounts for constraints of your site and existing conditions of your home. This design concept is meant to introduce a potential direction for the project being conceived. It is a starting point, and is subject to fine tuning or complete change. With the design concept in hand, together we are able to begin flushing out additional design details based on your feedback. Once the design concept is deemed acceptable, we are able to provide an estimate of the project cost. We work together to reconcile the estimated costs against the project budget so that you get maximum value. It is at this time that we enter into a Design Contract to provide design services that will yield a set of Construction Drawings.
During this phase of the project, we will refine the design concept into a formal plan by finalizing space layout and providing accurate dimensions. We will begin to provide elevation and facade options so that you are able to understand what your home will look like from the exterior. We will discuss your preferences in terms of style as well as the context of your particular project. We are careful to consider the aesthetics of the neighborhood, style of surrounding homes and existing site conditions that influence the location of windows and doors. In addition, we will begin to finalize the location and dimension of any cabinetry or built-in millwork and fixtures such as showers, tubs, toilets and sinks. At the end of the Design Development Phase you will be presented with floor plans and elevations that you have actively helped to develop, for your approval. Once approved, we will move onto the Construction Documentation Phase.
During this phase, we will develop the documents that are necessary to obtain a building permit. These documents include a site plan with set back information, floor plans (existing, demolition, renovated/new space) with dimensions, building and wall sections and exterior elevations. We will design any built-in custom millwork, cabinetry, stairs or other specialty items included in the scope of work. At the end of this phase, we will present you with set of Construction Drawings from which your project will be built. From these drawings a final cost estimate will be completed and presented to you. It is at this time that we enter into Construction Contract and move onto the Construction Phase.
Upon receipt of the Building Permit, a project schedule will be developed. Your project will have a Project Manager assigned to it that you will work with through completion of your project. Once work begins, we will have regularly scheduled on-site project meetings to review work completed last week, work occurring this week and work scheduled for next week. Any information required or decisions that need to be made will be discussed and planned in the schedule as needed. This insures that information flows timely between everyone, any changes can be addressed to mitigate impact, and that the project maintains schedule.