Our Process

Initial Consultation

Client schedules an initial consultation with one of our Principals. For the consultation, we will meet you at your home for an hour to discuss the project and take detailed notes to ensure we leave with a clear understanding of the project scope. Please note that we receive more consultation requests than we can fulfill. To filter for clients who are serious about their projects, we charge a nominal fee of $275 for the initial consultation. If you decide to proceed with the project, we will credit the consultation fee to your initial retainer.

Design Proposal Submitted

Following the initial consultation, we will draft a detailed proposal outlining the project scope. The proposal will be sent to you for review, and upon agreement, we request a small retainer.

Surveying / Site Measuring

For renovations and additions, immediately after the proposal is signed, we will schedule a time for two of our architects to visit the site and take accurate measurements.

For new construction projects, the client commissions a survey which serves as the basis for the design process.

Existing Conditions Drawn

For renovations, using the measurements taken from the prior step, our architects will draw up the existing layout of the space, which serves as the foundation for the design process.

Zoning Study

Once the existing conditions are drawn and/or surveyed, we will prepare a Zoning Study to confirm the zoning constraints the project must confirm to, as-of-right. This step helps us identify if any variances will be required. If a variance is required, we will work with you to tailor the variance request and increase the likelihood of receiving approval, leveraging our strong track record in procuring variances for many of our over 700 clients.

Draft Proposed Plans and Elevations

Following the Zoning Study, we will produce a first iteration of the proposed design. This package includes schematic floor plans, initial drawings of the building's façade, and an initial construction budget. We meticulously consider all the input we have received from you up until this point as we craft these initial design drawings.

Initial Design Meeting

Once the initial design package is complete, we will schedule a meeting with you to walk through the proposed design and gather your feedback.

Design Revisions

Following the Initial Design Meeting, we will make revisions to the drawings based on your comments and preferences.

Design Revisions Meeting

After the revised drawings are complete, we will schedule a second design meeting to walk through the updated design. For most projects, we will finalize the design and seek approval on the schematic floor plans/elevations.

Draft and Submit Zoning / Historic Preservation Commission Package

Now that the schematic design has been approved, we will finalize an Historic Commission of Zoning Board package (if required) and submit it to the planning department for approval.

Zoning Approval

Zoning Approval may involve review with the town and a hearing. Once issued, we proceed with the detailed design phase.

Construction Documents

After any historic or zoning work has been approved, we begin the work of developing the designs for the house. This includes detailed layouts for all the rooms including interior elevations. We will also develop this into the final Construction Documents for bidding with contractors, including lighting and power layouts, kitchen and bath designs, cabinetry, moulding and trim details. We will also finalize all of the details for the exterior.

Draft and Submit Zoning / Historic Preservation Commission Package

Now that the schematic design has been approved, we will finalize a zoning package and submit it to the planning department for approval.

Zoning Approval

Zoning Approval may involve some review with the town. Once issued, we proceed with the design and complete the construction documents.

Bid List Established

We create a list of all recommended contractors for bidding. Our recommendations are valuable as we have worked with most of these contractors for many years on numerous projects and are familiar with their performance. We only recommend contractors that have a proven track record of behaving honorably and producing quality work and satisfying our previous clients.

Construction Documents Completed and Issued to Bidders

We finalize the construction documents drawings and written specifications, defining the project's scope, and issue it to your selected contractors for bidding.

Bids Received, Reviewed and Contractor Selected

After reviewing the bids, we work with you to select the most suitable contractor for the project. The competitive bidding process ensures transparency, minimizes cost and provides the owner with enough information to make an informed decision as they select a contractor.

Construction Permitting

Once the contractor has been selected, we issue signed and sealed drawings, which they submit to the building department to obtain the construction permit.

Construction

During the construction phase, we work closely with the contractor, answering any questions they have and regularly inspecting the project to ensure it is built according to the design.

We are also available to walk through the project with you, attend construction meetings and to resolve any construction related questions you may have and to help you manage the overall process.

Punchlist

As the final step of the design and construction process, we review the completed space and produce a punch list of items that need attention. These usually involve minor corrections and work that needs to be completed.

Final Invoice Issued and Retainer Credited

The retainer received at the start of the project will be credited to the final invoice, effectively closing out the design and construction process.