The process is simple!  Here are the steps we take to ensure your project is successful!

Your home is reflective of how your family lives, your interests and your inspirations.  We design your home with only you in mind.  We take several steps in the process to keep you engaged and excited about your new residence!

1. Pre-Design (What do we want)

We refer to this initial meeting as the Design Programming meeting. It is at this meeting that we begin to understand not only what your functional requirements are, but also what aesthetic goals you may want to be included in your new home. We will also talk about site and budget constraints as well as features you would like to have incorporated.

Design Ideas: A picture is worth a thousand words, they say.  Any photos or inspirational images should be brough to this meeting!

2. Schematic Design (Order to the chaos)

Once we have decided on what you want to build, we will begin to sort through the written program requirements to ascertain a more precise target square footage. Once this has been determined, a designer will begin designing your home with a series of rough sketches that show the general room sizes and relationships.

Feedback: This is the time to provide any feedback positive or not in order to represent you and your ideas in your floor plan.

3. Design Development (Refining the order)

The next step in the process, called design development, involves taking the schematic design sketches from the previous phase and incorporating your comments we received at the schematic design meeting. Additional details are added to the plans and the exterior elevations are developed showing doors, windows, and materials.

Technical issues such as structural layouts, mechanical systems, and thermal/moisture protection need to resolve at this time. All decisions that are to be documented in the final working drawings also need to be made at this time. Design Development drawings are often completed to the point where general contractors and suppliers can begin to get material take-offs and determine project scope for more accurate pricing.

What you will see: At this time you may see 3-D images that better explain the design of your home and get you excited to see it coming together!

4. Construction Documents (Communicating your design)

The Construction Documents Phase of the project is that time when the drawings are completed and dimensions and notes are added to the documents. A basic set of construction documents includes floor plans, exterior elevations, wall sections, stair sections, and roof plans.

Full Design of your home: We can also complete interior elevations, millwork details, building sections, finish plans, full kitchen and bath design, and any other drawings needed to communicate the design to the builder.

5. Bidding Phase (Choosing your builder)

There are a number of ways to select who will build your home. Many people will have already decided on a builder prior to the design phase while others prefer to complete the design process first and have two or three selected contractors submit bids. As your architect, we can assist you early on in choosing which method works for you as well as facilitate the process to insure accurate and complete bids.

Time expectation: It is ideal to give your contractors 2-4 weeks to prepare their bids so you get a more accurate estimate.

6. Construction Observation (Our expertise applied to the construction of your home)

Our involvement does not have to stop with at the completion of the design phase. We can act as your representative by monitoring the contractors’ work for conformance with the construction documents. As the designers of your residence, no one is more qualified to ensure your home is built as it was designed. From the first shovel of earth turned to the final walk through and punch list, we can be there to help facilitate the construction  process.

Customer benefit: This can be stressful for a homeowner to manage alone and we want you to enjoy seeing your home built so you can move in without concerns.

Final Thoughts

We hope you will enjoy the process of designing your home and be able to “Leave Your Mark” in your community!

Reach out to our team at Imprint Architects!

Take a tour of our custom home designs.