1. The first phone call. Some of the topics we cover in the first phone call are: Cost of construction, zoning, design cost, engineering cost, surveys, soils reports, time schedules.
During the first phone call I like to talk to people about what they have in mind for their home or addition. I need to know where to start with a customer. Some are more knowledgeable then others. Some have nothing in mind, and others are professionals in the building trades, so they have extensive knowledge of the process. Either way, I fill in all the blanks and answer all the questions. At times the first phone call is the last phone call because they have unrealistic expectations. Example: I want a 3 story structure in a R1 zoning. R1 zoning has a height restriction that precludes a 3 story tall structure. Another request I often get is: I want living quarters over my detached 2 car garage. Again this is not allowed in an R1 zoning.
2. If the first call goes well we set up a meeting. If the job is an addition or remodel we charge $120 for this meeting. We will look at your home for any structural difficulties we may encounter with the addition, the type of existing construction, the site, the roof and how the new addition will tie in and, of course, ideas for the floor plan. We will make suggestions for improvement and design. We will give you some numbers for the cost of construction based on your ideas. That way you will end up with one of 2 plans after the meeting is done. 1. I can do this project at a price I can afford, or 2. We can’t do what we would like to and we need to make other arrangements, like move to another home or save till we can afford a different plan.
If the job is a new home, I often ask the customer to come to this meeting with some hard copies of their ideas (pictures of homes or features of homes). Many have a home somewhere they love and want to emulate. Take a picture of it and be prepared to discuss why you like this home or feature. Also, an ILC or land survey is important early in the design process.
Many times the first meeting should take place at the site of construction. Seeing the site gives me perspective for views, access, and how the home or addition will need to conform or blend with it’s surroundings. An addition should never look like an addition. A home should never look forced.
When a design involves more then one person, it is vital that I know that all parties understand each other. I also make it very clear that they should never hold back what their wants and desires. They think they can’t have what they want because of what the other person wants. At times this is true, but many times I can accommodate both parties. It’s my job to give you what you want. If I can’t, It’s my job to tell you that and explain why, or give you options for compromise.
3. Now the preliminary design stage starts in earnest. I start my 3-3-2-1 processes. What that means is I will take all the information I have gathered from you and come up with a design I think you want. It doesn’t matter if I like it or not. I will give you what you want. Then I do another design that is a modification of that design that I think is better. Then I also do another design that I think will stretch your imagination and get you thinking in other directions you haven’t thought of before. That is the first “3”. We meet and discuss these drawings. You will take some time to digest them and we will meet or discuss why you like or dislike this or that. Why you dislike a feature is as important to me as why you like others. I will then take this information and do 3 more drawing just as mentioned above. That is the second “3”. Then most of the time I can get down to “2” drawings, then the final “1”. These are not hard and fast rules I follow. I have been known to turn a 3 into a 6. I don’t want to overwhelm you with choices, but there are times when I am not confident I have a grasp of your desires, so I may give you extra options.
4. At this point we will start engineering. I will ask you to sign a copy of the floor plan before engineering starts, because if you make further changes in the structure it may cause some or all of the engineering work to be useless. It will need to be redone. We will gladly do it, but there may be additional cost. Small changes not of a structural nature are no problem right up to the final printing.
Engineering includes: Foundation, floor framing, roof framing, notes and details.
5. Material specifications are not a normal part of our service. I find most people don’t use them in the end and they are a waste of money. I will be more then glad to assist you with specifying products for special features. What I suggest customers do in order to get a good price from contractors is to specify allowances for different parts of the project. Example: Cabinet allotment $15,000.00, sinks $5000.00, flooring $20,000.00 etc. I can make suggestions for these figures if you like. This way, when you put the project out to bid, each contractor is bidding on the same thing. Just be aware that the more time and effort you put into the accuracy of these allotments, the closer the bid will be to reality.
6. The drawing will be printed and stamped by the engineer and delivered to you, ready to go to the building department for permits. We make every effort to give you all the drawings you will need to get your permits, but on occasion, the building department may want more detail. If it’s just a couple of hours work, I normally don’t charge anything extra. This rarely happens.