From Custom House Plans to Finished Home in Bethesda, MD
Step 1: Our Process Begins
Before we can start on your custom home remodeling, we must first discuss your design ideas and goals with you. During your free in-home consultation, we perform the following:
- Walkthrough of the Areas, Both Inside & Outside, Where the Construction Will Take Place
- Discussion of the Overall Shape & Size of the Project
- Overview of Existing Site Conditions, Zoning & Governmental Permit Requirements, Potential Upgrades to Plumbing, Electrical, Heating, & Cooling Systems
- Review of both New Products & Current Building Methodologies
- Discussion of Potential Costs for: Design Needs, Types of Products, Different Building Technologies, & the Project as a Whole
- A Beginning Conversation about Your Budget Outlines & Financing Needs
Step 2: Design Consultation
Once we discuss the basics of our services, the design process can begin. After the initial consultation, a fee-based ($400) design consultation is held. This meeting allows us to discuss more in-depth custom house plans, and includes:
- A Two to Three Hour Meeting in Client’s Home
- Comprehensive Evaluation of the Project as a Whole
- Detailed Discussion of Zoning & Permit Requirements Based on Existing Homeowner Documents
- Brainstorming Between Client and Designer throughout the Session
- Preliminary Space Planning as Designer Makes Free Hand Drawings throughout the Consultation on an As-Needed Basis
- Overview of Material Selections & Cost-Saving Building Technologies to Aid the Client in Navigating the Wide Range of Choices to be Made
Step 3: Architectural Designs & Plans
Choosing the details of your design is the key part of Step 3 of our process. During the design process, an open channel of communication is constantly maintained with the estimating department. This process is essential to ensure that the design elements are staying within the proposed construction budget. Upon completion of the design of your custom house plans, a final construction cost will be calculated. All details and costs are prepared in your construction agreement.
Design fees are estimated for each individual project. Our historical fee average has varied between 3%-5% of construction costs.
Step 4: Permits & Construction Schedule
After every detail has been chosen and custom house plans have been made, we are ready to proceed to obtain permits and set up a construction schedule. A pre-construction conference is scheduled 2-3 weeks prior to start of the project. During this conference, we discuss our construction schedule, as well as our frequently asked questions and any other questions before start of the project. We anticipate some disruption to your normal lifestyle during the construction activity. However, our goal at all times is to minimize the inconvenience to your home.
Contact us in Bethesda, Maryland, to discuss your custom house plans with our team today. Our company offers services for clients throughout Montgomery County.