frequently asked questions with David from DRKdesign
1. How will DRKdesign approach your project?
First, we collect as much information about the site, the wants and needs of the client (that is you!) and the goals that they are trying to achieve (whether it is being green, using low-impact materials, reducing their carbon footprint or updating the design style, just to name a few).
2. How will DRKdesign gather information about your needs, goals, etc.?
This information will be gathered primarily through meetings, site visits, but also phone calls and emails. Through discussions we will touch on likes and dislikes, as well as, and issues about your current living environment. The more information being brought to the table from all sides is always very beneficial, but the process is having one main source (the designer) to collect/interpret the goals into a unified solution.
3. What does DRKdesign see as important issues of considerations in a project?
What we see as most important is the comfort of the home with regards to a healthy indoor environment and a highly efficient energy saving home with west coast flair.
4. How will DRKdesign establish priorities and make decisions?
There will be much more ideas, thoughts and goals brought to the table than what can be incorporated into any successful project. In order to have a cohesive and unified solution, discussions about the most crucial topics will be brought forth through interpreting the site, the views, and speaking with you, the home owners about what made you decide to build at this time.
5. How busy is DRKdesign?
\We take on a handful of projects only at any one time. This is to ensure that each design gets ample design time and dialog to dive into all the details that go into designing a home. Things that you may not think about, such as having that light switch just where you would naturally want it to be or the way the sunlight is able to enter deep into the centre of the house on a cold winter day.
6. What sets DRKdesign apart from the rest?
DRKdesign's greatest strengths lie in the ability to collect lots of information and bring some ideas while using sketches, computer drawings, 3d models and physical models to illustrate the solutions. We cater to home owners who are looking for something custom and unique to their lifestyle. They are looking for a home that will be made just for them.
7. How does DRKdesign establish fees?
Generally fees are based on a percentage of the construction value of the house. Depending on the situation and requirements (landscape design, interior design, etc.), the fees may vary dramatically. Feel free to call or email our office to discuss your project in detail to help us establish what is involved in order to better establish the fees for your home design.
8. What are the steps in the design process?
There can be many steps from the moment a client decides to build to the time the construction actually begins. We will explain a typical process of a new home, though every project has its own path to venture on.
Firstly, we strongly believe that one of the most important steps is the site selection. So many things can and will affect the quality of life in your new home depending on the site you select. Things we always seek out are a good southern exposure to ensure great solar gains, a walk-able neighborhood and also views can be important, as well.
Once a property is selected, the design can begin. A collection of vast amount of information is digested by the designer, including the site properties (wind, views, solar orientation, key views, elements, topography), wants and needs of the clients (what type of construction, how large the home needs to be, rooms and areas within the home, landscaping), city zoning & bylaw requirements, and construction budget.
After we have collected this information, we will provide a few rough schemes just showing how the parts of the house will interact with the site and vice versa. The design will continue and elevation drawings will be developed, small physical models and 3d computer models will be generated to better understand and explain the design of the house and how it interacts with the site, as well as, internal view studies. During the design process, meetings with the municipality may occur to ensure that all zoning and bylaws are being met.
Once the design is completed, building permit drawings suitable for construction are completed and a structural engineer (who we can recommend) completes the structural design of the house. Other consultants may be brought on board to assess and provide services such as mechanical systems, electrical design, landscaping, as well as, interior design. After the application is made to the municipality and their review is completed, a building permit will be issued.
The builder will either be selected or generally is selected earlier, so that they may guide the costs and give insight into the construction process and specifics in the design process. Deconstruction of the existing structures on the site (if any) will begin and the new home will be built by the home builder. This process relates to a new home. In regards to a renovation, the process varies as the existing home must be measured and drawn up prior to any design; otherwise it is relatively the same process.
9. How does DRKdesign organize the process?
The process is kept in constant open communication with the clients through numerous meetings, site visits, and emails with drawings, photos, etc.
10. What does the designer expect you to provide?
Designing a home is a very personal thing to the homeowners. Bringing to the table as much information (photo clippings, ideas, things they like in their current home importantly as well, things they do not like) will be very beneficial in guiding the design process. Strong direct feedback from clients will make the project much more successful and will drive the design towards a common goal for both the designer and the clients.
11. What is the designer's experience/track record with cost estimating?
DRKdesign does not provide accurate cost estimates and highly recommends to have a builder involved in the project at an earlier stage (prior to final design drawings) to help guide the costs with the clients.
12. What will DRKdesign show you along the way to explain the project? Will you see models, drawings or sketches?
We can provide all of the above. Depending on the complexity of the project or element that is being described, any one of these aids will be used to illustrate the design feature(s).
13. If the scope of the project changes later in the project, will there be additional fees? How will these fees be justified?
Most likely there will be extra fees when changes occur close to the building permit or during construction phase of the project.. Additional work above and beyond the original scope approved at the beginning of the project will be charge on a hourly basis. If the changes are very significant (such as deciding to build a new house instead of renovating when the plans for the renovation have been completed), an new contract may need to be initiated.
14. What services does the designer provide during construction?
During the construction, I will be visiting the site to ensure the progress is satisfactory and ensuring the builder understands all the details of the drawings.
15. How disruptive will the construction be? How long does the designer expect it to take to complete your project?
Generally the construction of a new home can take anywhere from one to three years. The construction will be disruptive enough, that even if it is a renovation, it will be hard to live in the home during this time and I would highly recommend finding a temporary place to live while building/renovating is in progress.
16. Can DRKdesign provide a list of client references?
Yes, if requested. We can provide a list of prior clients as references or you can check out our testimonials.
First, we collect as much information about the site, the wants and needs of the client (that is you!) and the goals that they are trying to achieve (whether it is being green, using low-impact materials, reducing their carbon footprint or updating the design style, just to name a few).
2. How will DRKdesign gather information about your needs, goals, etc.?
This information will be gathered primarily through meetings, site visits, but also phone calls and emails. Through discussions we will touch on likes and dislikes, as well as, and issues about your current living environment. The more information being brought to the table from all sides is always very beneficial, but the process is having one main source (the designer) to collect/interpret the goals into a unified solution.
3. What does DRKdesign see as important issues of considerations in a project?
What we see as most important is the comfort of the home with regards to a healthy indoor environment and a highly efficient energy saving home with west coast flair.
4. How will DRKdesign establish priorities and make decisions?
There will be much more ideas, thoughts and goals brought to the table than what can be incorporated into any successful project. In order to have a cohesive and unified solution, discussions about the most crucial topics will be brought forth through interpreting the site, the views, and speaking with you, the home owners about what made you decide to build at this time.
5. How busy is DRKdesign?
\We take on a handful of projects only at any one time. This is to ensure that each design gets ample design time and dialog to dive into all the details that go into designing a home. Things that you may not think about, such as having that light switch just where you would naturally want it to be or the way the sunlight is able to enter deep into the centre of the house on a cold winter day.
6. What sets DRKdesign apart from the rest?
DRKdesign's greatest strengths lie in the ability to collect lots of information and bring some ideas while using sketches, computer drawings, 3d models and physical models to illustrate the solutions. We cater to home owners who are looking for something custom and unique to their lifestyle. They are looking for a home that will be made just for them.
7. How does DRKdesign establish fees?
Generally fees are based on a percentage of the construction value of the house. Depending on the situation and requirements (landscape design, interior design, etc.), the fees may vary dramatically. Feel free to call or email our office to discuss your project in detail to help us establish what is involved in order to better establish the fees for your home design.
8. What are the steps in the design process?
There can be many steps from the moment a client decides to build to the time the construction actually begins. We will explain a typical process of a new home, though every project has its own path to venture on.
Firstly, we strongly believe that one of the most important steps is the site selection. So many things can and will affect the quality of life in your new home depending on the site you select. Things we always seek out are a good southern exposure to ensure great solar gains, a walk-able neighborhood and also views can be important, as well.
Once a property is selected, the design can begin. A collection of vast amount of information is digested by the designer, including the site properties (wind, views, solar orientation, key views, elements, topography), wants and needs of the clients (what type of construction, how large the home needs to be, rooms and areas within the home, landscaping), city zoning & bylaw requirements, and construction budget.
After we have collected this information, we will provide a few rough schemes just showing how the parts of the house will interact with the site and vice versa. The design will continue and elevation drawings will be developed, small physical models and 3d computer models will be generated to better understand and explain the design of the house and how it interacts with the site, as well as, internal view studies. During the design process, meetings with the municipality may occur to ensure that all zoning and bylaws are being met.
Once the design is completed, building permit drawings suitable for construction are completed and a structural engineer (who we can recommend) completes the structural design of the house. Other consultants may be brought on board to assess and provide services such as mechanical systems, electrical design, landscaping, as well as, interior design. After the application is made to the municipality and their review is completed, a building permit will be issued.
The builder will either be selected or generally is selected earlier, so that they may guide the costs and give insight into the construction process and specifics in the design process. Deconstruction of the existing structures on the site (if any) will begin and the new home will be built by the home builder. This process relates to a new home. In regards to a renovation, the process varies as the existing home must be measured and drawn up prior to any design; otherwise it is relatively the same process.
9. How does DRKdesign organize the process?
The process is kept in constant open communication with the clients through numerous meetings, site visits, and emails with drawings, photos, etc.
10. What does the designer expect you to provide?
Designing a home is a very personal thing to the homeowners. Bringing to the table as much information (photo clippings, ideas, things they like in their current home importantly as well, things they do not like) will be very beneficial in guiding the design process. Strong direct feedback from clients will make the project much more successful and will drive the design towards a common goal for both the designer and the clients.
11. What is the designer's experience/track record with cost estimating?
DRKdesign does not provide accurate cost estimates and highly recommends to have a builder involved in the project at an earlier stage (prior to final design drawings) to help guide the costs with the clients.
12. What will DRKdesign show you along the way to explain the project? Will you see models, drawings or sketches?
We can provide all of the above. Depending on the complexity of the project or element that is being described, any one of these aids will be used to illustrate the design feature(s).
13. If the scope of the project changes later in the project, will there be additional fees? How will these fees be justified?
Most likely there will be extra fees when changes occur close to the building permit or during construction phase of the project.. Additional work above and beyond the original scope approved at the beginning of the project will be charge on a hourly basis. If the changes are very significant (such as deciding to build a new house instead of renovating when the plans for the renovation have been completed), an new contract may need to be initiated.
14. What services does the designer provide during construction?
During the construction, I will be visiting the site to ensure the progress is satisfactory and ensuring the builder understands all the details of the drawings.
15. How disruptive will the construction be? How long does the designer expect it to take to complete your project?
Generally the construction of a new home can take anywhere from one to three years. The construction will be disruptive enough, that even if it is a renovation, it will be hard to live in the home during this time and I would highly recommend finding a temporary place to live while building/renovating is in progress.
16. Can DRKdesign provide a list of client references?
Yes, if requested. We can provide a list of prior clients as references or you can check out our testimonials.