CUSTOM DESIGN

"Fine Art home design" becomes a possibility when we find ourselves deeply connected to our site when we know the color of sunlight through the trees, the smell of fresh rain showers, the music of the birds at dawn and the soft feel of twilight. If we invest time getting to know our site, we are apt to know the feel of the evening breeze. We will appreciate the natural light, and be able to sense the flow of energy through the site. We will be more prepared to discuss basic design questions such as window placement. For what are windows, but portals to the breezes, to light and to the life force around us?

Custom Home Design prices vary with the needs of the home buyer. We offer a variety of design packages, each of which is tailored to the exact needs of the client and the proposed improvement.

NO OBLIGATION PRELIMINARY INTERVIEW

Mark Schmidt will visit your site, meet with you and discuss your needs, then prepare a design cost proposal all at no cost or obligation to you, the potential client. In the event that you choose to accept our proposal, a retainer fee will be paid at the acceptance of our proposal.   The balance is payable in accordance with monthly billing  as design work progresses.  Final billing is payable upon delivery of the completed construction documents.

Design time varies with the needs and response time of the individual client.  Please allow ten working days for preliminary drawings, from thirty to sixty days for client response time and design development, and ten additional working days for preparation of the final construction documents.  Occasionally personalized residential design requires as much as a full year to complete construction documents, cost analysis and permit application process. 

CUSTOM HOME DESIGN PACKAGE ( $3.00 - $5.00 PSF )

This package is designed to accommodate the needs of the Custom Home Design  client.  All drawings are computer aided drafting, allowing for unlimited design flexibility. The Custom Home Design package includes your choice of ten sets of blueprints or one set of ink masters, each of which contain the following, where applicable:

1. Proposed Elevations (four sides)
2. Foundation Plan
3. Basement Floor Plan
4. First Floor Beam and Joist Layout
5. First Floor Plan
6. Second Floor Beam and Joist Layout
7. Second Floor Plan
8. Roof Framing Plan
9. Building Cross Sections
10. Details and Cabinet Elevations
11. Structural details and schedules
12. Site Plan

Floor plans contain a wiring diagram, showing switch and fixture locations.  Building cross sections will include as many sectional drawings as are necessary to effectively display the structure of the home.

LIST OF MATERIALS ( $0.50 PSF )

The list of materials includes the following: Foundation concrete, forming and supplies, framing lumber, siding, trusses, windows, roofing, doors, interior millwork and trim, railings, paneling, hardware and fasteners.

PERSONALIZED COST ANALYSIS ( $2.00 PSF )

Our cost analysis provides the home buyer with exact and up to date building cost data, "figures you can take to the bank".

Presented in an easy to understand format, our cost analysis begins with an eight page breakdown of all the elements of construction, and the cost of each of these elements based upon the home buyers personal design and specifications.   A complete list of materials is accompanied by current bids from material suppliers. Actual subcontractor bids to the home buyers exact specifications verify current market costs.  All costs are gathered, compiled and displayed in a format suitable for presentation to the home buyers lending institution.

PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING

All professional engineering costs are quoted based upon Site conditions and code requirements. In the event that special conditions exist, or specialized structural applications are required, the cost of professional engineering services are outlined and included in our design costs proposal.