(Click here to print this page)The Process
Unlike many large firms, I am extremely flexible in terms of how much, or how little, you wish me to do. So, the process can vary depending on what level of services you desire. As a full-service architect, I can provide you with everything you need to complete the entire design and construction process, as indicated below:
• Assist in analyzing proposed building sites, and selecting the appropriate one that will enhance the type of home you desire.
• Create a unique design concept that meets your personal criteria and overall desires, including style and budget.
• Develop preliminary design documents for obtaining a construction estimate or establishing a budget.
• Once a preliminary design and construction budget have been approved by the client, prepare detailed building plans and specifications for the purpose of obtaining competitive construction bids between qualified builders; in the case of custom residential work, I often help in reviewing and selecting a preferred builder, who will then construct your home on a negotiated cost plus fee basis.
• Assist during bidding and construction, by providing timely answers to contractor questions, performing on-site construction inspections, reviewing potential change orders, and certifying pay requests if needed.
• Become a resource for both you and the builder during construction, acting as your agent with your best interests in mind, while being fair to both parties.
• Review contractor shop drawings, research of alternative systems or options, and assist with final materials and finish selections.
For people hesitant to commit to full services, I can tailor my work to your needs. For example, I could do a preliminary design for you to start, then continue only if you so choose, or develop a preliminary design and basic construction drawings, then visit the site 5-6 times during construction to review the work and offer assistance where needed.
Whether an addition, a remodel, or a home from scratch, it all starts with doing a lot of careful listening to you. I enjoy finding ways to meet multiple design requirements and will put all the pieces of the puzzle together before presenting you with a custom design to review.
All projects are designed using some of the best 3D software available for architects, allowing my clients to actually see and understand what they are getting very early on in the design process. Rather than being stuck with looking at flat two-dimensional drawings, they literally walk in and around a "live" model, where refinements can be made on the fly and options reviewed almost immediately.
My goal is to give my clients a unique solution that fits their budget, meets their requirements and solves their problems in ways they might never have considered on their own!
Give me a call at 269.321.1890 to start the conversation, or click here to send me an email!
"Let me take the roof off and show you the rooms inside..."
"This is how it will look from the lake..."