PROCESS

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Pre-Design Phase:

• The existing home is measured along with important landscape features.

• Zoning and any other restrictions are researched before any design work is started.

• Inspirational photos are gathered from the homeowner and the internet to understand the desired aesthetic for the project.

• The schematic design questionnaire is used to get to know the homeowner, their goals and the scope of work for the project.

Schematic Design Phase:

• Schematic designs are presented to the home owner during the first presentation. The homeowner selects the features they like best.

• From those selections and comments, a new schematic design will be created and presented.  Often moving to some 3d modeled exteriors after the floor plans are generally agreed upon. Typically, schematic drawings are revised, modified and presented several times before a final schematic design is agreed upon.

• All designs are presented in person or via Skype. 

• Hard or digital copies of the schematic designs will be provided to the homeowner after payment for the presentation is received.

• By the end of this phase, Valliere Design Studio and the home owner will have a solid understanding of the floor plan and exterior form. The final schematic concept will be used to define the scope of design work in the second contract.

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Establishing the contents of Contract 2

Attributes from the final schematic concept are entered into our design cost spreadsheet. The exterior form and floor plans are used to help define the complexity of the project. Here are some of the examples of what the spreadsheet takes into consideration: 

• Square footage of kitchens, bathrooms, built-in cabinetry and stairs

• Total vaulted/cathedral ceiling area

• Total flat ceiling area

• Square footage of finished basement

• Square footage of unfinished basement

• Square footage of garage

• Square footage of covered porches and decks

• Square footage of open decks

• Number of inside and outside corners on the exterior of the building

• Number of roof planes

• Number of radiuses in curved walls

• Number of paneled, boarded, bead-boarded, and wainscoted walls

• Number of paneled, boarded, and bead-boarded ceilings

• Number of rooms with stained standing and running trim

• Square footages of stone work

The required drawings are defined in the spreadsheet. With all of this information, the cost of the design may be accurately established, as well as an estimate on cost to build.  The design cost figured from this process will be the cost of contract 2. The homeowner can, decide to continue with an hourly billing or move to a fixed price contract.

Contract 2

Design Development Phase:

• 3D modeling is used in this phase to help the home owner understand the many nuances of the project. I will produce multiple views that will also be used in the construction documents. All of the drawings created will be revised and changed until each part meets the goals of the home owner before moving to the next phase.

• These drawings are often used by contractors to establish a cost estimate as well as filing for permits, presenting at a planning board hearing, or obtaining historical district approval.

• In this phase I will also be assembling the specifications and schedules (window, plumbing, electrical, paint, tile, etc)

Construction Document Phase:

• In this phase Valliere Design Studio will take all of the drawings and modeling from the last phase, and convert them to detailed construction documents for the contractor.

• Depending on the project, we may work with a structural engineer to develop a detailed framing plan.

• I am available for site support throughout the construction process.