Q:  What does an Architect do?

A:  An architect translates your vision into design solutions, working closely with the surrounding conditions to create a custom design just for you.  An architect is also a guide for the design, building out the team, and permitting process. 

Q: Do I need an Architect?

A:  A good architect is your advocate. Building a home is a complex process and having someone with the vision and experience to connect all the details of the design to the nuts and bolts of construction can make the process go more smoothly. Architects can dream big with you – then stay by your side to expertly manage the process.

But if you are just looking to have some plans drawn up for an existing design or small remodel, a drafter may be a better fit for you. With residential, or more technically, residential wood-framed construction, you need an architect OR a structural engineer to officially sign off on your project, not both. So considering you’ll need a structural engineer, either way, an architect isn’t a requirement.

Q:  What is my role and involvement as the client?

A:   To dream big! The more input you give us, the more we can hone in on your style. Of course, we’ll guide you by really digging deep into what you want. How do you live your life? How do you want to live your life? From our initial call or meeting with you, until the end of the process, we will have a very collaborative and open dialogue, be it in person, or via a Zoom call. 

Q:  Ok, how much will this cost?

A:  We want to start with a few definitions that are crucial to this part of the conversation. 

Hard Costs or Construction Costs: The total costs, direct and indirect, associated with transforming a design plan for material, equipment, labor, site work, etc.

Softs Costs: The total costs of all design fees, consultants, and permitting costs.

All in Budget = Hard Costs + Soft Costs

The Construction Costs of a new home will have a lot of factors including location, site/infrastructure requirements, zoning requirements, material decisions, etc. In our experience, we see homes in the California Central Coast range from $300 / SF to well over $450 / SF. 

We’re developing a new home cost calculator that addresses budgetary hard costs and soft costs. Want to test out a beta version? Reach out to us! (A remodel cost calculator will follow suit.) 

As with all decisions, we discuss budget estimates both at the beginning and throughout the process. We are all about transparency and making your project work for you. Surprises are fun for no one.

Q:  How long does it take to design and build a house, or complete a renovation? 

Our design time for bigger picture design (Schematic Design) and working drawings (Construction Documents) range 4 - 10 months, and depend on the size/complexity of the project, our availability, and how decisions are made. 

The permitting process takes 3-6 months, and we’ve been seeing it go an extra few months due to how busy the industry is and the backlog for jurisdictions. 

Construction takes 6-18 months and depends on the size, complexity, and currently, material availability. 

Q: Where do we start?

The best place to start is by getting to know each other! First, we want to find out what you are trying to accomplish and what is your ‘why’. We want to know what you have to work with. Is there an existing home you are trying to add on to or renovate? Or are you imagining designing a new home? Are you just trying to get an idea of what this project will cost and what the process is like?

We’ll typically progress from a phone call with Natalie, our Operations Manager, to a meeting with Nina, our Principal Architect. Once we have the basics pinned down, we can generate a proposal describing the architectural fees and what we understand to be the scope of work. We request a signed proposal and retainer to get started on any work.