The Process
What is the process?
Initial Meeting - Introduction and discussion of your project
Proposal - A written contract to provide the service you have requested
Program - Documentation of your needs and expectations
Schematic Design - Code review, diagrams, and sketches, resulting in a schematic design
Land use, pre-application - Meetings with local code officials as may be necessary
Design Development - Development of your design to a level necessary for documentation
Construction Documents - Documents required for a building permit and a construction contract
Permitting - Submitting for your building permit
Bidding - Interviewing contractors, obtaining proposals, awarding a contract for construction
Administration - Assistance during the construction of your project
Billing
Billing - Most clients are provided an estimate of hours necessary to complete each step required in the process and invoiced based on an hourly rate. For some larger projects, a Fixed Fee is established, and the client is invoiced for the percentage of the service completed.
Additional Expenses - Often, projects do not require consultants. Depending on the complexity of your site and your project, consultant services may be necessary. Consultant services may include civil, structural, mechanical, and electrical engineering. Occasionally, they include professional rendering, cost estimating, and specifications consultation.