Process
How a project unfolds
Buildings are among the largest investments most people ever make, and the process shouldn't be a mystery. Here is the path from first call to move-in, in plain language.
Six phases
The mountain: a proven structure
This sequence is the professional standard, refined across the industry for decades. What changes from project to project is the water: how we move through it.
Discovery & pre-design
We define the problem before solving it. We talk through how you live or work, what the budget really is, and what your site allows. I document existing conditions, review zoning and building codes, and write a program: a plain list of everything the project must do.
You get: a written program, site documentation, a clear scope
Schematic design
The big moves. How the building sits on the land, how rooms relate, where the light enters. You'll see sketches, models, and usually two or three distinct directions. We test them against the program and the budget, then choose one to carry forward.
You get: floor plans, massing studies, a direction you believe in
Design development
The chosen design gets real. Materials, windows, roof assemblies, kitchens and baths, structure and mechanical systems coordinated with engineers. The decisions made here are what prevent expensive surprises during construction.
You get: developed drawings, material selections, an updated cost picture
Construction documents
The instruction manual for your building: dimensioned drawings and specifications that a builder can price accurately and a building department can approve. Precision in this phase is what protects your budget in the next one.
You get: a complete set for permits and pricing
Bidding & builder selection
Finding the right builder, not just the lowest number. We send the documents to qualified contractors, level the bids so you're comparing the same scope, check references, and negotiate the construction contract.
You get: an apples-to-apples comparison and a builder you trust
Construction administration
I stay involved while the building goes up: regular site visits, answering the builder's questions, reviewing payment requests, and confirming that what gets built matches what was drawn. This is where design intent survives contact with reality.
You get: an advocate on site until the keys are yours
“The phases are the mountain. The way we move through them is the water.”
Working together
What happens when you reach out
No pressure, no jargon, and no invoice until there's a signed proposal we both understand.
A conversation. A half-hour call about your project, your site, and your timeline. No charge and no obligation.
A site visit. If we're a fit, I come walk the property or the space with you. Buildings start with the land they sit on.
A written proposal. Scope, schedule, and fee in plain terms. We proceed only after it's signed and clear to both of us.
The design survey. A thoughtful questionnaire that begins the design itself: how you live, what you love, what has to change.