Building a custom home is the most rewarding investment you can make. Small or large; it requires time, patience, and unending enthusiasm to get from fantasy to reality.

As much we all would want, the process is never simple, with unique design goals, siting obstacles, unforeseen construction challenges, and permitting regulations. As a design team, we focus our effort on the design process, which we outline.

Of course, no project is the same, and being adaptable is our skillset, but our partnership will always follow these steps. The schedule and fee are based on a typical 3,000 sf custom home, and serves as a helpful reference.

01

PRE-DESIGN

0% FEE
1 WEEK
CLIENTS

ESTABLISH PROJECT GOALS
COMPILE INSPIRATION IMAGES
SECURE SURVEY AND AS-BUILTS
FILL-OUT SWTSHP QUESTIONNAIRE

02

PROGRAMMING

0% – 5% FEE
1 – 2 WEEKS
SWTSHP

WRITE-UP PROGRAM
EVALUATE CLIENT GOALS
ESTABLISH PERMIT PROCESS
PRELIMINARY ZONING RESEARCH

03

SCHEMATIC DESIGN

15% – 25% FEE
4 – 6 WEEKS
SWTSHP

RELAY INSPIRATION IMAGES
DETERMINE BUILDING SITING
DEVELOP FLOOR PLAN OPTIONS
PRELIMINARY EXTERIOR MATERIALS

CLIENT

COMPILE ISPIRATION IMAGES
HIRE STRUCTURAL ENGINEER
SELECT SINGULAR PLAN OPTION
PROVIDE GEOTECHNICAL REPOR

04

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

30% – 40% FEE
6 – 8 WEEKS
SWTSHP

FINALIZE FLOOR PLAN
PRIMARY INTERIOR MATERIALS
LIGHTING AND MECHANICAL LAYOUT
FINALIZE EXTERIOR AND ROOF FORM

CLIENT

HIRE INTERIOR DESIGNER
SELECT CRIUTICAL MATERIALS
SELECT PLUMBING AND APPLIANCES
APPROVE MAJOR MILLWORK LAYOUT

05

CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS

20% – 30% FEE
8 – 10 WEEKS
SWTSHP

COMPLETE TECHNICAL DRAWINGS
FINALIZE PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS
COORDINATE CONSULTANT DRAWING
FACILITATE CLIENT WITH PERMITTING

CLIENT

LOCATE A/V COMPONENTS
BEGIN CONTRACTOR SEARCH
PROVIDE SECURITY REQUIREMENTS
APPROVE HARDWARE AND FIXTURES

06

BIDDING AND NEGOTIATION

20% – 30% FEE
2 – 4 WEEKS
SWTSHP

RFP TO CONTRACTORS
REVIEW FORM OF CONTRACT
RESPOND TO CONTRACTOR RFI’S
COMPARISON AND ANALYSIS OF BIDS

CLIENT

INTERVIEW CONTRACTORS
SELECT FORM OF CONTRACT
PREPARE AND VACATE HOME
HIRE PREFERRED CONTRACTORS

07

CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION

TIME AND MATERIAL
DURATION OF CONSTRUCTION
SWTSHP

REVIEW SUBMITTALS
ATTEND SITE MEETINGS
RESPOND TO CONTRACTOR RFI’S
REVIEW CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS

CLIENT

ATTEND SITE MEETINGS
APPROVE FINISH SAMPLES
PROCESS CONTRACTOR INVOICES
JUST RELAX AND ENJOY THE RIDE!

08

MOVE-IN AND OCCUPANCY

0% FEE
POST CONSTRUCTION
SWTSHP

ASSIST IN CLIENT MOVE-IN
DEVELOP PROJECT PUNCH-LIST
SCHEDULE PROJECT PHOTOGRAPHY

CLIENT

SCHEDULE MOVERS
HOME FEATURE OVERVIEW
PUNCH-LIST WALKTHROUGH