Many homeowners planning to build are often surprised when asked if they have plans for their project. While a contractor may be able to draw a set of building plans, residential designers are specialists who are trained to use space most efficiently and educated in all the newest trends and products available. They not only draw plans, but also spend time with each client to determine their specific needs, lifestyles, priorities and budgets in order to design a truly custom home.

Q: Why seek out a residential designer to design my plans when so many contractors offer free design advice as part of their bid service?

A: Contractors generally tend to fill a client's requests in the most straightforward manner possible, keeping things simple to avoid confusion and spending any more extra time than necessary. Getting the job and building it are their number one priorities. By contrast, the residential designer's whole purpose is sit down with you and work out your design puzzle in its entirety, with the emphasis on finding the best solution rather than the most obvious. Helping you understand the complexities of the project fully before it goes to bid (or worse, gets built) prevents misunderstandings and possible regrets about your choices.

Q: But isn't using a residential designer expensive?

A: Not at all. In addition to saving time and effort, it often saves you money. Most contractors are so thrilled to get well-documented, professionally designed plans that they often rebate some or all of the residential designer's fees back to the consumer when they sign up with them. They recognize that detailed plans with full specifications and interpretive drawings result in a smooth-running project. A client who understands and wants exactly what he is getting saves the contractor from the potential barrage of change-orders, time and money over-runs, and bad feelings on both sides that can easily result from misunderstandings and/or ambiguities. Having accurate plans before the bidding process even starts makes it easier on the contractors and the client. If multiple bids are obtained, everyone is bidding on EXACTLY the same materials, brands, models, etc.

Q: So when should I bring in a residential designer? Do I need to know precisely what I want before I talk to one?

A: Although ideally you'd meet fairly early in the project's planning process, anytime prior to construction is appropriate. You need to have a basic idea of what you'd like to accomplish, but skilled questioning by the designer to help determine even your hidden wants and needs is a very important part of the process. An incredible array of products is available and getting guidance from a professional saves you time, effort and money. Questions about your lifestyle, creative solutions, or suggestions for new/specialized products may even trigger your looking at your project in a whole different light. The designer takes everyday usage practicalities, future growth potential and multi-use possibilities into consideration when creating your final design.

Q: What is the range of services that a residential designer typically offers?

A: It varies, but generally includes development of design options, working out the final floor plan with notes, a custom electrical plan, cabinet elevations, and full working plans (i.e. permit-ready) for homes.

Design Consultation

The clients will meet at the designer's office to discuss the project. The clients should bring with them any ideas and pictures they may have that reflect the style that they want for their new home. Both the clients and designer will sign a design agreement and the client will issue a retainer to begin the preliminary concept design process..

Preliminary Concept Design

The designer will review all of the information compiled and begin the preliminary concept design process. A sketch will be started of the ideas that come to mind first, starting a basic floor plan and the start of a front elevation will be generated. Once the sketches are prepared, a preliminary concept review appointment will be set for the designer to present the ideas to the clients..

Preliminary concept Review

The clients will meet at the designers office in order for the designer to present and explain the preliminary design concept to the clients. A copy of all drawings will be given to the client to take home to digest and discuss the information further. This step should be a minimum of a week, since it sometimes will take at least that much time for the client to think of all the ideas they would like to discuss at the next meeting..

Draft Two Review

The 2nd draft review appointment will be held at the designers office to discuss the changes made to the plans since the preliminary plan review appointment and discuss any new ideas that came to mind after the meeting from either the client or designer. Generally all the changes discussed to date will have been made to this point and all the exterior elevations will have been roughly outlined. Upon acceptance of the preliminary plans, the client will issue a progress payment to the designer and construction plans will start. .

Approval Plan review

When the client gives the designer the go-ahead to start the construction plans, all the drawings necessary to complete the project will be drawn, as outlined in the design agreement. Electrical, cabinet and interior elevations will be drawn at this time. Any last changes to the construction plans will be made and an approval set of plans will be run for review with the client at the approval plan review appointment. .

Final Plan Review

At the time the final approval plans are reviewed by the client and designer, the client will issue a final payment for the remaining balance of the design fee, as outlined in the design agreement. After all these steps have been taken, any final adjustments to the construction plans will be made and prints will be run of the complete set of construction plans. .