The Studio Z home design process

Based on the scope of work in our contract, Studio Z will prepare rough designs, which we'll review with you. We'll revise those designs based on your feedback and will review the pros and cons of the changes with you. We'll repeat this process until you're satisfied.

After the schematic design phase, we recommend that you meet with up to three contractors to obtain preliminary cost estimates. We will provide drawings and a written description of the project including our assumptions about the structure, fixtures, and finishes. 

Once the estimates are ready, we can help you analyze them and decide on a contractor. Committing to a contractor early in the process allows us to tailor our details to their preferred construction methods and will potentially reserve you a slot on the contractor’s schedule.

Studio Z will finalize the drawings and specifications to create a set of construction documents that will be used to obtain a building permit and  serve as the basis for constructing the project. These are also the drawings contractors will use for bidding your project. 

Studio Z will assist you in negotiating a construction contract, including an on-site meeting/walk-through with the contractor and subcontractors, collecting and reviewing the bids (if needed), meeting with you and the contractor to refine the scope and budget as needed, and responding to the contractors’ or subcontractors’ questions. 

Studio Z will visit the site on a regular basis to observe the progress and quality of the work completed by the contractor to determine if it is proceeding in accordance with the construction documents. Based on each site visit, Studio Z will prepare a field report to keep you informed about the progress and advise you about any issues that might arise.

Studio Z will meet with you in your home to discuss your needs, wants, and dreams for your project. This gives you the expertise of our architect and interior designer at a reasonable price, and can be a standalone service or lead to more work with Studio Z. 

Based on the initial meeting, Studio Z will prepare a contract proposal for your review. The proposal will include your project’s scope of work, a description of our professional services and deliverables, and our fees.

We will measure and extensively photograph your home and enter the existing plans and elevations into our software. 

We will visit the property, offering a site analysis service to understand the best views, the angles of the sun, the direction of winter winds and summer breezes. We will review the property survey. If needed, we will prepare a feasibility study.  

Studio Z will continue to fine-tune the design, including developing structural systems, kitchen layouts, electrical plans, and other details. 

We will work with you to select materials, finishes, and fixtures. This will take place with the design development phase.