how does the design process work?
Here is how a typical design project might work...
At your first meeting with Dina, she will interview you to identify your needs and wants for the space, and how you envision using the new space. She will also present and discuss possible design solutions, and measure and photograph the space.
Dina is a very patient listener who wants to hear all your ideas. This meeting is a great time to discuss cabinet door styles, countertop materials, design trends, plumbing fixture options, functional design issues or anything else that you’d like to address in your new space.
Dina will use the information from your first meeting, and her discussions with Rob, to prepare a preliminary design within one to two weeks.
At your second meeting with Dina, she will review the preliminary design with you, point out any departures from previous conversations, and explain how the design meets your needs, wants and vision. She will ask for your feedback, draw out any concerns you may have, and make notes of any desired changes or refinements.
Dina will use the information from your second meeting to update the drawings. Depending on the complexity of the project, one or two more meetings may be necessary to complete the design and drawings to everyone’s satisfaction.
Once the design is complete, Dina will email you 8.5 x 11 PDFs of your completed drawings with your final invoice.
You can ask Rob to provide an estimate, or use the drawings to ask other contractors for an estimate.
Ready to get the design process started? Let us know how we can help.
How much does it cost?
In order to provide excellent services at a fair price, we charge for design by the hour. Unlike construction estimating, design involves the client as a working partner. We know how long our work will take, but we cannot estimate how much time and assistance a client will need. We can give you a general idea of your design costs at our first meeting.
Please contact us for our current hourly rate. You can be assured that it's reasonable.
isn’t design work expensive?
No, compared to construction costs, design work is very inexpensive, especially because it pays for itself. By providing your contractor with an accurate picture of what you want, they are able to provide more accurate pricing.
Without accurate drawings, contractors often pad their estimates to cover uncertainty. Design drawings minimize the unknowns, and help avoid expensive construction corrections.
what does design-build mean?
True design build firms are contractors with a staff of in-house architects and/or engineers. It is a business practice that fast-tracks the construction process through better communication and phasing. In a true design-build situation, the cost of each phase of design and construction is separate, and transparent.
Beware of contractors that call themselves design-build when it is the contractor, not a design professional, doing the design work.
Other contractors & suppliers don't charge for design. Why do you?
If a contractor or supplier is not charging for design separately, they are probably hiding the design cost in your construction estimate or material prices. Most contractors can’t afford to provide design services for free. Our design fees are transparent.
Does every job need design drawings?
No, not every job needs design drawings. We work with clients regularly who are only replacing what is existing, or their proposed layout is simple enough. For example, existing bathrooms often don’t need design drawings, but more complicated projects probably will.
When a client says, "I'd like an estimate for a new kitchen (bath, mudroom, etc.), but I don't know where to start" or "I need help with the design" or "I can't imagine how to improve the layout," Dina works with the client to provide design drawings for the new space.
If you think you need design drawings, let us know and we can set up a time to meet.