RESIDENTIAL PROCESS
PHASE 1 - PROGRAMMING
The programming phase, which often happens at our first meeting, is our time to listen. We gather
information, both quantitative (lists), and qualitative (mood, character, feeling) in order to develop a program
that will direct the design work. We have developed a questionnaire to assist you in this process.
We would like a description of how you live. (Do you do formal entertaining or none at all? Does everyone
get up at the same time each morning?) Thorough programming is our best chance to meet your
expectations. Our goal isn’t to just list things or features that are appealing but to understand the reasoning
behind that list. Understanding your goals, lifestyle, tastes, helps us make decisions about every aspect of
your design.
Most people find it easiest to tear pictures out of magazines to communicate their likes and dislikes. Other
helpful communication tools are walking through your current home and noting your likes, dislikes, and wish
lists: taking pictures of the exteriors of houses or details that you like; or identifying interesting plans/portions
of plans in the “HBA Parade of Homes” book or magazines.
Before beginning your design, we also need information about your site so we can analyze factors affecting
the building. On large lots, or in certain subdivisions, a site survey will be required. (If the seller of the property
does not have current site information showing the topography of the land, you will need to hire a surveyor.) If
you are building an addition, it will be necessary to document your existing house by measuring it, taking
photographs, and preparing drawings of these conditions.
Probably the most important aspect of the programming phase is the discussion of the budget. We need
to know how much you want to spend on your new home, the maximum amount you can spend, and the types
of finishes you expect on both the interior and the exterior. This is where the reality check comes into play.
PHASE 2 - SCHEMATIC DESIGN
This phase consists of rough sketches and the intent is to settle on the basic decisions such as number of
rooms and their arrangement, and the overall appearance. Frequently several alternative “floor plans” are
presented and discussing the pros and cons of each will provide a clear direction for the final design, which is
developed from the favored aspects of each alternative.
Elevation sketches are generated after the basic form of the floor plans is agreed on.
PHASE 3 - DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
During this phase, the design is refined and drawn on our computer system. Problems are worked out, the
size of the house is adjusted to meet budget requirements, and the other exterior elevations are designed. For
each decision made during this phase, we work through the design to analyze any negative consequences.
The more decisions made during this phase and the more time spent working through the design, the better
the built product will be and the less likely unforeseen problems (and costs) will occur during construction. If
you select our “Ultimate” service, any necessary interior elevations or special details would be sketched during
this time.
This phase is your opportunity to make any final changes to the design such as window sizes and
placements, variations of ceiling heights, expanding or shrinking any spaces, etc. This is also the time to
express any uncertainty with our direction or to let us know if we have not effectively helped you visualize the
design. By resolving any concerns during this phase, we can prevent unexpected costs from arising during the
development of the construction documents or during the construction of your new home.
PHASE 4 - CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS
The next phase consists of the construction drawings (blueprints) and the specifications. The drawings
illustrate the quantities and relationships of all work required to build the project. The specifications are written
documentation outlining the levels of quality to be met in the materials and workmanship. The specifications
are optional depending on the type of service you select.
By providing more information in these documents, there is a better chance of getting exactly what you
want in the built product. It is important to be specific with your contractor regarding what you want. However,
since the documents become part of the contract they also establish his contractual obligations. Vague
drawings and specifications result in a vague construction contract. As a result, anything not contained in the
documents is left to chance or the contractor’s discretion. The bottom line is, the more complete the
documents are, the fewer problems and delays during construction, which translates into lower and more
definite construction costs. (Ask your friends how many thousands of dollars they added during the
construction phase of their house).
PHASE 5 - BIDDING AND NEGOTIATING
When the time comes to hire a contractor, we can provide assistance in evaluating their qualifications and
bids, and in negotiating a contract. In addition, we can answer any questions the contractor has.
PHASE 6 - CONSTRUCTION OBSERVATION
Our involvement does not have to end with the start of construction. We are available to act as your
representative by observing the contractor’s work for conformance with the construction documents. Even the
best documents cannot fully convey all aspects of a three-dimensional building without being open to
interpretation. Knowing the intent of the working drawings is critical to proper interpretation. Our job is not to
“police” or supervise the builder, but to provide assistance to insure your home is built as intended.
This assistance to the builder consists of answering questions by phone, providing regular site visits to
observe the work, providing supplement drawings as requested by the contractor, reviewing shop drawings,
materials, and product samples, and reviewing requests for design changes. Without our involvement in this
phase, the final product may suffer.
PHASE 1 - PROGRAMMING
The programming phase, which often happens at our first meeting, is our time to listen. We gather
information, both quantitative (lists), and qualitative (mood, character, feeling) in order to develop a program
that will direct the design work. We have developed a questionnaire to assist you in this process.
We would like a description of how you live. (Do you do formal entertaining or none at all? Does everyone
get up at the same time each morning?) Thorough programming is our best chance to meet your
expectations. Our goal isn’t to just list things or features that are appealing but to understand the reasoning
behind that list. Understanding your goals, lifestyle, tastes, helps us make decisions about every aspect of
your design.
Most people find it easiest to tear pictures out of magazines to communicate their likes and dislikes. Other
helpful communication tools are walking through your current home and noting your likes, dislikes, and wish
lists: taking pictures of the exteriors of houses or details that you like; or identifying interesting plans/portions
of plans in the “HBA Parade of Homes” book or magazines.
Before beginning your design, we also need information about your site so we can analyze factors affecting
the building. On large lots, or in certain subdivisions, a site survey will be required. (If the seller of the property
does not have current site information showing the topography of the land, you will need to hire a surveyor.) If
you are building an addition, it will be necessary to document your existing house by measuring it, taking
photographs, and preparing drawings of these conditions.
Probably the most important aspect of the programming phase is the discussion of the budget. We need
to know how much you want to spend on your new home, the maximum amount you can spend, and the types
of finishes you expect on both the interior and the exterior. This is where the reality check comes into play.
PHASE 2 - SCHEMATIC DESIGN
This phase consists of rough sketches and the intent is to settle on the basic decisions such as number of
rooms and their arrangement, and the overall appearance. Frequently several alternative “floor plans” are
presented and discussing the pros and cons of each will provide a clear direction for the final design, which is
developed from the favored aspects of each alternative.
Elevation sketches are generated after the basic form of the floor plans is agreed on.
PHASE 3 - DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
During this phase, the design is refined and drawn on our computer system. Problems are worked out, the
size of the house is adjusted to meet budget requirements, and the other exterior elevations are designed. For
each decision made during this phase, we work through the design to analyze any negative consequences.
The more decisions made during this phase and the more time spent working through the design, the better
the built product will be and the less likely unforeseen problems (and costs) will occur during construction. If
you select our “Ultimate” service, any necessary interior elevations or special details would be sketched during
this time.
This phase is your opportunity to make any final changes to the design such as window sizes and
placements, variations of ceiling heights, expanding or shrinking any spaces, etc. This is also the time to
express any uncertainty with our direction or to let us know if we have not effectively helped you visualize the
design. By resolving any concerns during this phase, we can prevent unexpected costs from arising during the
development of the construction documents or during the construction of your new home.
PHASE 4 - CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS
The next phase consists of the construction drawings (blueprints) and the specifications. The drawings
illustrate the quantities and relationships of all work required to build the project. The specifications are written
documentation outlining the levels of quality to be met in the materials and workmanship. The specifications
are optional depending on the type of service you select.
By providing more information in these documents, there is a better chance of getting exactly what you
want in the built product. It is important to be specific with your contractor regarding what you want. However,
since the documents become part of the contract they also establish his contractual obligations. Vague
drawings and specifications result in a vague construction contract. As a result, anything not contained in the
documents is left to chance or the contractor’s discretion. The bottom line is, the more complete the
documents are, the fewer problems and delays during construction, which translates into lower and more
definite construction costs. (Ask your friends how many thousands of dollars they added during the
construction phase of their house).
PHASE 5 - BIDDING AND NEGOTIATING
When the time comes to hire a contractor, we can provide assistance in evaluating their qualifications and
bids, and in negotiating a contract. In addition, we can answer any questions the contractor has.
PHASE 6 - CONSTRUCTION OBSERVATION
Our involvement does not have to end with the start of construction. We are available to act as your
representative by observing the contractor’s work for conformance with the construction documents. Even the
best documents cannot fully convey all aspects of a three-dimensional building without being open to
interpretation. Knowing the intent of the working drawings is critical to proper interpretation. Our job is not to
“police” or supervise the builder, but to provide assistance to insure your home is built as intended.
This assistance to the builder consists of answering questions by phone, providing regular site visits to
observe the work, providing supplement drawings as requested by the contractor, reviewing shop drawings,
materials, and product samples, and reviewing requests for design changes. Without our involvement in this
phase, the final product may suffer.