FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why should I hire an architect?

Until you find yourself lost in the maze of design options, building codes, zoning laws, contractors, and so on – it’s difficult to imagine just how complicated it is to build. No two building projects are exactly alike, so there is no single, clear-cut path to follow.

Architects are trained to solve problems in creative ways. Whether you need room for a growing family or for a growing business, by employing an architect you can save money on your project, make life easier, and end up with a result that meets your needs and your budget.

Architecture, unlike interior design or construction, is a licensed profession. To become an architect, an individual must obtain a five-year professional bachelor’s degree or master’s degree from an accredited college, participate in at least a three-year internship program, and pass a rigorous exam that covers a comprehensive range of issues faced in the building process. 

-Reprinted from AIA Triangle website

What value does an architect bring to my project? 

1. Peace of mind

Your decision to embark on a project can be smooth, well planned, and thoughtfully executed, if guided by a professional who can help you navigate the rough and uncertain terrain. Knowing that every journey has its unexpected bumps and turns, no one would disagree that having the right professional to help you navigate the process is common sense. Just as you would not expect your doctor to prescribe a medication for you without first diagnosing your illness, likewise it is very risky to begin design without first choosing an architect who knows how to establish your project’s unique objectives and parameters. 

2. Investment

You invest in things that are important to you. Your home is probably the largest financial investment you will make. Why would you spend thousands of dollars on a project without engaging a professional who knows how to maximize your investment? That is just silly. Architecturally designed homes have been proven to command more money and possess more value than homes created without architects. 

When you look at the fees of an architect, you are not paying for a quickly achieved skill. The depth of knowledge that architects have carefully and intentionally developed through many rigorous years of training results in our ability to craft your project’s function, engineering, and artistry into a fully integrated solution. A well-designed project maintains its value over time. On the contrary, a poorly thought out design solution will cost you more in the long run than hiring a professional that knows the right means and methods to skillfully and successfully navigate the road of a new build project or a high-quality renovation. 

“If you think hiring an expert is expensive, wait till you hire an amateur.” – Red Adair

3. Distinction and being distinguished

Architecturally designed homes possess unique features that give distinction to each client’s unique needs and aesthetic tastes. The architecture can be inspired by the client’s favorite piece of art or it can be inspired by their favorite hobby or sport. The design can be inspired by location or capturing certain views. For some clients, their home is a status symbol that reflects their personality. Careful consideration must be given to the look and feel of the home including the curb appeal, the interior flow of the home, and its relationship to the outdoor space.

What is the difference between an architect and a designer?

There is a huge difference between an architect and designer! Designers are self-proclaimed and have no formal design education or experience. By contrast, a licensed architect has earned a 5+ year architectural degree from an accredited university, spent 3 years working in a full time internship under a licensed architect, and passed multiple exams called the Architectural Registration Exam which are “designed to assess aspects of architectural practice that affect the integrity, soundness, and health impact of a building.” An architect carries a professional seal taking responsibility for her work product and she is trained in design, materials and methods, structural engineering, and complex problem solving. A designer is not required to have any credentials, experience or schooling.

What is your design process?

We offer a VII phase design process that is clear and understandable. Each step develops the idea at different levels. We start very high level at the Needs and Options Phase and zoom in and develop more and more detail at each successive step. We work like an artist would work by layering the canvas except our canvas has many dimensions. The artist has an idea of the overall structure of the composition but develops the details and harmonies in a sequential manor. As an artist / architect, I work in the same way, I draw my initial inspiration, create a broad stroke, and then layer function, form, space, structure, focal points, light, details, etc. Each layer requires evaluation and cohesion with the previous layer and the next layer of design. 

As the design is being developed, getting the client’s feedback is equally important to the design process. We want our clients to not only be happy with what we designed, but to be excited. When we present a design and the client gets excited, we get excited too! I design each home as if I would want to live there. 

A detailed description of our design process will be given to you after you schedule and pay for your initial consultation with Dawn.

How long does your design process take?

There are many variables that effect how long the process takes, therefore we cannot give an exact timeline. However, a fast-track project can be ready for construction in 2-3 months, and the quicker you can make decisions on the design options and information we present to you, the faster the process usually goes.

What are your fees?

INITIAL CONSULTATION: We offer a $200 initial in-office or virtual consultation. On-site consultation start at $400 and vary based on location. If you then choose to move forward with us on a project, a portion of the consultation fee will be credited to your account.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE: After the initial consultation, we bill our clients on an hourly basis. Therefore, the total cost will depend upon the overall scope of your project. Some cost estimates can be given at your initial consultation with Dawn once she has been able to review the specifics of your project. 

PRE-DESIGNED HOME PLANS: We have a small amount of pre-designed home plans are also available with a starting cost of $5,500 per set. We can also alter any of our stock plans in order to customize them for you at an additional cost on an hourly fee basis, but this often costs more than expected due the ripple effects of design changes. Custom design creates a seamless design and design experience that results in a far superior finished product.

What should I know before starting a project?

1. You should have a basic idea of the general cost of construction in your local area. You can talk to contractors and ask them to give you a ballpark idea of the costs associated with construction.

2. You should determine a comfortable budget for your project which should include construction costs, design fees, landscaping, and furniture as well as an extra 10%-15% for contingency costs. Contingency costs can be unexpected items like soil conditions being different than expected, buried debris can be found requiring extra excavation and clearing, an undisclosed waterline could be hit, etc. Other types of contingency costs can be upgrades. You may decide you need additional systems, security systems, smart home features, land irrigation, etc.

Can you meet with me to give me some general design advice about my home or business?

Yes, we can! Dawn works on a consulting basis to give general recommendations for design possibilities, space layout, material selection and more. Schedule a consultation to get the specific answers you need to move forward with your project.

Do you sell stock home plans?

Yes, we do! Please schedule an in-office initial consultation to review our available pre-designed plans. If you end up purchasing a set of our plans, we will credit the $200 initial consultation fee towards the cost of your plans.

Can you alter some existing home plans I already have from another builder or architect? 

We can review plans by others to help determine your needs and wants, however, we are unable to alter your existing plans due to copyright and legal issues. If this is something you desire, we highly recommend you consider one of our own pre-designed home plans which we are able to alter in order to customize it for your specific needs and desires, however, we have a limited number of designs and they are site specific requiring a lot of changes to fit your needs and wants.

Are there any projects that are too small for your firm to take on?

In order to best serve our clients and use our time well, there are some projects that are not in our best interest to take on. This would include small renovation projects that have very minimal design. We will accept interior projects who want a high level of design and renderings. Our minimum fee to accept a project is $10,500.

I’ve already drawn my desired plan, why do I need an architect?

A good architect will not simply translate a client’s sketch into final architectural drawings. An experienced architect who cares about giving their client the best project possible, will analyze and evaluate the client’s sketch to get a better understanding of what their client wants or needs. This analysis and evaluation is imperative to laying a good foundation for design. Most often, a client does not have the experience of an architect who is well practiced in harmonizing various conflicting elements into a successful whole. If the architect simply translates a client’s sketch, the project will be based on how the client understands form, function, structure, geometry, and spatial integration instead of the architect. This will limit the architect from producing the best possible solution for their client.

Can you recommend contractors, engineers and consultants?

Yes, we do have some contactors, engineers and consultants that we have worked with on a regular basis. Once we develop a preliminary drawing set for you, we will connect you to our network to obtain preliminary estimates for your project. We are also willing to work with contractors and engineers that you have already selected.

If you have any more questions that are not answered on this page, then please schedule an initial consultation with Dawn or feel free to listen to Dawn’s radio broadcasts which explain these and other topics in more detail.