Share Your Vision With Us
Initial Conversation
Give us a call or send an email, we'd love to hear from you. We will spend some time on the phone with you to discuss the details of the project. We will ask the who, what, when, where, why and how questions as they relate to your project.
Meet + Greet
Our first meeting is a chance for us to simply meet and chat about your dreams for your project. This is a time to learn more about each other and how we might be able to help. We can grab a cup of coffee to discuss plans for your new lake house or walk through your current home with you to see first hand the areas you wish to renovate or modify. This will also give us a chance to talk through how your project compares to other similar projects, view photos, discuss budgets and ultimately form a plan together for moving forward with design.
LET’S WORK TOGETHER
The Design Process
The design process can seem like a daunting challenge. There are many unknowns, questions and decisions that go into a project. Our main goal is to guide you through the design, decision making, and build process, while making it a positive and exciting experience.
Conceptual Design
Based on the existing conditions and notes from the meet + greet, we will prepare a project scope that will identify the spaces and areas related to the project. We will take measurements of your home as they relate to the project and create as-built drawings which will form the foundation of the project. We will then create preliminary design options based on the specific project scope and individual requirements. We will meet to review the design. sketch out new ideas and make revisions as necessary. This initial design phase will also help to begin obtaining preliminary budget estimates.
Design Development | Final Design
In this phase we will refine the conceptual design, aligning it with your specific needs and tastes. Based on the revised conceptual design, we will complete more detailed drawings to further define the scope, scale, and character of the project. The final architectural drawings will include floor plans, building sections, elevations, kitchen + bath design, and electrical + lighting plans. At this time, we will also select interior and exterior products and finishes related to the project.
Construction Documents
Construction drawings will be completed based on the approved design development drawings. These drawings will specify, dimension, and detail the site and building for construction and will also include all structural framing plans and details. The drawings will instruct the builder so they can build the project the way it was intended. These drawings will be used to obtain building permits, as well as by lenders to provide financing, if applicable.
HOW LONG DOES THE DESIGN PROCESS TAKE?
Generally, a major remodel can take 2 to 4 months and custom home design can take 4 to 8 months. This includes everything from client meetings, field measurements, design, drafting, and coordination through necessary consultants such as structural engineers and contractors; to the submittal of permit drawings to the building / planning department. Sometimes it's less, sometimes it takes longer.
There are many variables including overall scope of work, style, scale, How quickly you return design comments and if there's a Home Owners Association or other design review involved. The time frame varies - we're putting together an instruction booklet for construction and therefore, provide extremely detailed plans from which to build.
Give us a call to find out our current workload. Consider that if you've "been thinking of this construction for some time now, maybe it's worth a little wait to have it done right."
We schedule projects for design in order in which contracts are received.
BUILD
The Build Process
The build process is the moment when the rubber meets the road. I have been around residential construction my entire life and I enjoy interacting with contractors and visiting the job site as much as I love to design. Our services don’t have to end when the design is finished, we can also continue to work with you throughout the completion of your project.
Contractor Selection
Partnering with a contractor who fits your needs is a crucial part of the process. We partner with a select group of contractors that align with our values, are qualified for your project, and can provide you with the result you desire. Contractors can be brought onto the team early in the design process or they can be invited to submit bids for the project once construction documents are complete. Regardless of which method you choose, we will walk you through the process to select the appropriate contractor based on your needs and to ensure the best value for your project.
Construction Observation
Once the construction begins, your project is moving from a dream to a reality and we will continue to be involved with your project throughout the construction phase. Through construction observation we can implement our extensive construction knowledge and experience to help provide a smooth transition from the design phase to the completed project.
Communication at this phase is essential for a successful project and we will act as the liaison between you and the contractor during construction. We will answer questions as they arise and we will perform regular site visits to determine if the construction is progressing as planned. If any changes occur during construction, we will work closely with you and the contractor to help make the best decision possible based on the situation.
MORE QUESTIONS?
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What type of projects do you work on?
- Custom Homes
- Additions + Renovation
- Kitchen + Bath
- Light Commercial (Tenant Build-Out)
Who is the point of contact?
You will work directly with Marc O'Grady for the entire project.
What is the client responsible for?
We like for our clients to be as involved as they like. One thing we look for initially is for the client to provide a survey / plat of their property. If you don't have one, don't worry, we will help you get one.
Do I need a site / property?
Yes, but not necessary for our initial conversation. We design our projects to be integrated with the specific site conditions. We study the site, the natural topography, and the views; even the site's colors can help decide material selections. All of these factors help us create a design that maximizes it's potential.
Do you help with the site selection?
We can help you evaluate a site to help determine where you can and cannot build a house. Zoning, setbacks, sensitive environmental areas, and deed restrictions are informative items used to establish a buildable area. Natural features to expose or avoid are also investigated. Then it’s weighing the balance of what the land offers compared to your needs and wishes.
What are the design fees?
There are a number of ways we can structure our fees, however our preference is to hone in on a fixed project fee upfront. This method assures all parties are comfortable with costs and there are no surprises. The fee is usually based on a unit rate attached to square footage of the home. What’s included in this fee will be discussed prior to signing on the dotted line.
Who owns the work we complete?
Let’s say you just love the design of your project. Awesome. You should. You are given the rights to complete your very own project with the design and drawings. Say you love it so much you want two, or three, that’s something you’ll have to talk to us about if it’s something you want to repeat. That being said, we will never replicate the design of your house for another client.
How long does it take to design a project?
Generally, design for a major remodel can take 2 to 4 months and custom home design can take 4 to 6 months. This includes everything from client meetings, field measurements, design, drafting, and coordination through necessary consultants such as structural engineers and contractors; to the submittal of permit drawings to the building / planning department. Sometimes it's less, sometimes it takes longer.
There are many variables including overall scope of work, style, scale, How quickly you return design comments and if there's a Home Owners Association or other design review involved. The time frame varies - we're putting together an instruction booklet for construction and therefore, provide extremely detailed plans from which to build.
How long does it take to build a house?
The timeline depends on a number of variables like what sort of project, how large or small it is, its complexity and if you, the clients, make timely decisions. These variables make it hard to pinpoint an exact timeline. As a general guide, our past experience reveals that new custom homes generally take 3 to 6 months to design. In addition, the building process usually takes 8-12 months. Any extra approvals, like BZA, can add additional time. What this all adds up to, it is best to begin thinking about your project 6-12 months before you want to break ground.
How do you work with construction budgets?
We work very hard to provide architecture that fits within your budget. There is not really a fixed formula for this as each project has it’s variables. We can give you a rough idea but it varies based on what you deem as "must haves". Most projects in our portfolio will be in the $200-300/sf to build. Highly custom projects can range higher.
What is in a construction budget?
When starting to budget for your project, costs to factor in include the following: site development, construction costs include things like foundations, framing, plumbing, electrical, cabinetry, fixtures,and interior and exterior finishes. Basically, everything that goes in or on the house from the slab up to the shingles, and the labor required to put it there. The construction management fee should be in the budget, too.
Some costs that are typically not in the budget include architectural fees and other consultants (site and structural engineering, interior design, environmental consultants), and things like landscaping, sprinkler systems, and furniture
Can you recommend builders?
We have built rapport with some great local builders in the area and can give recommendations for your specific project. Already have a builder? That is great! We are always looking to develop new relationships with builders in the area.
We feel that having a builder on board earlier in the process helps bring the project together with a level of clarity and coordination that will meet your expectations. The design/build approach works to flush out any unwanted surprises early in the process before they have the opportunity to arise later.