Working Together: Description
We start the process of working together with a meeting, where I ask you a lot of questions about your needs and dreams for the project, and about how you live in your home. And you show me any pictures you have collected of ideas for your home. (Needs + dreams meeting in the chart.)
Usually I will need to come back at your convenience to measure your current house to draw an accurate floor plan. This is used as the starting point for your new design. Next I research relevant zoning regulations and procedures and any special building department requirements.
Then the fun begins. I start drawing a design for your project. I may create several design schemes for you depending on what you want to see and what the situation lends itself to. (Initial design in the chart.)
We will get together for second meeting so I can show you the initial design and talk it over. What do you like about it? What do you not like? While hearing the drawings explained, do you have ideas we might incorporate in the design?
I'll go back to the drawing board (or computer screen) with your ideas and adjust and refine your design. We'll have another meeting to review and discuss any changes, and might go through another round if needed.
When we have the design set I will take the drawings in to the planning department if a review is required for your type of project.
Once the design is approved by the planning department we meet one more time to add more detail to your design. All the materials, lighting layout, and perhaps even colors are decided. (Choose products meeting in the chart.)
After that I will work on additional drawings required for a building permit (and later by the contractor). These drawings (called contract documents because they become part of your contract with the contractor) constitute a good part of the time I spend on a project. Also, I coordinate with the structural engineer and energy consultant if they are needed. Sometimes a geotechnical engineer or surveyor is needed as well.
I know a number of general contractors and can make suggestions to you of which one might be appropriate for your project. During construction I will visit the job site periodically to observe the work and see that the contractor is following your design. And if you decide to make any changes to the design, I will do the necessary drawings.
When the construction is complete, and the contractor has finished the last few items, it's time to throw a party!