So you’ve visited your friends Cape Cod Cottage, fell in love with the baby blue hydrangeas by the arbor outside the front door, the bluestone patio by the pool, fieldstone clad fireplace, and the pool house with pergola nestled by the dogwoods with the outdoor shower hidden off to the side. It’s a real timeless dream home isn’t it?

Now, you’re looking at properties, have a great location in mind and now are trying to figure out what to do next. That’s where I come in. Working together, we start to discuss everything that will help turn your dream into reality. Is it a classic coastal home in need of a makeover to become your dream home? Or are we starting from scratch?

Many people do not know what to expect from hiring an architect, and we thought it would be best to outline what to expect of a typical design process when working with JPG Architect.

I’ve found that early on its best to start with a recent plot plan of your property- that way we all can have a good starting point to base discussions on instead of waiting for a civil engineer and losing momentum.

A.    Initial Consultation

Your initial consultation will consist of two meetings, the first approximately one hour on site, the second approximately half an hour. During these meetings we will:

-        Compile your brief based upon your information

-        Site and project analysis

-        Provide an overview of the process, from initial concepts through construction

-        Provide an overview of total costs to undertake the project including estimates for other consultants

-        Provide an overview of the time required to properly turn your dream into a reality

-        Discuss the costs and fees involved with your project.

B.    Conceptual Design

This stage we present initial design concepts, outlining designs based upon your expected budget and brief, editing them down to ensure that we have included everything that you are looking for.

-        Existing conditions drawings based upon field measurements (if applicable)

-        Zoning and local building code report based upon regulations

-        Sketched floorplans

-        Sketched elevations

-        Images of potential materials

-        Preliminary square foot costs

C.    Permit Drawings

Permit drawings are the bare minimum for what is needed to pull a permit in most communities. The permit drawings typically includes:

-        A illustrative site plan at relevant scale (usually 1:10 or 1:20)

-        ¼” Dimensioned and annotated floor plans

-        ¼” Dimensioned and annotated exterior elevations

-        ½” Dimensioned and annotated building sections

-        ½” Dimensioned and annotated door and window schedules

-        Smoke, Carbon Monoxide and Heat detectors as per local authority requirements.

-        Relevant energy code information as per local authority requirements.

D.    Construction Drawings 

The construction documents expand upon the Permit drawings, allowing for a more complete pricing to be developed, control of finishes and materials, and typically include:

-        ¼” reflected ceiling plans / electrical plans

-        ½” interior elevations

-        1 ½” / 3”  building details as required

-        Building specifications

-        Finish schedules

E.     Bid Documents  

We package together the permit, construction documents, and any consultant drawings together with an instructions to bidders and send out to general contractors to get pricing on them. We typically bid with 3-5 contractors at a time. This process can be started earlier in the process as well.

-        Instructions to bidders

-        Pre bid meetings to address any bidder questions

-        Bid form for all contractors to follow

-        Review and analysis of bids

F.     Construction Administration

i always recommend including site visits to ensure that the contractor is following the intent of the construction documents, review invoices for certification of payments to the contractor,

-        Site meetings (weekly / bi weekly / monthly / as needed)

-        Certification of payments

-        Advice and assistance with selection of colors / furnishings

-        Resolving issues arising during construction (role of the architect should not be confused with the site supervisor)

-        Generation of punch lists Pop the Krug Grande Cuvee Brut champagne and move in!!