FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about Custom Home Designs
- What should I bring or how should I prepare for my initial consultation?
- What is included in your floor plans?
- How many sets of plans do I need?
- How do you charge for a custom home design?
- How long does it take to design a custom home?
- Are your floor plans structurally engineered?
- How quickly can I get a set of plans?
What should I bring or how should I prepare for my initial consultation?
Generally, all you will need are your ideas but any magazine clippings or example plans you have access to are very helpful in conveying your needs and wants for the project. You will be asked important questions as to your lifestyle, size of your family etc to help get the process started.
What is included in your floor plans?
For a basic set of plans, you will be provided with a floor plan page for each level including basement or crawl space, a minimum of 4 elevation pages showing each side of the structure (usually based on cardinal directions North, South East and West), cross-sections to show ceiling heights, details on the structural members for floors walls roof etc. These may also include door and window schedules, roof plans as needed. Optional pages may include electrical, kitchen or mechanical pages although blank pages and/or CAD files can be provided to trades for their own purposes of design or mark-up.
Many 3D renderings of interior and exterior views will be provided in digital format during the design process as visual aides. Optionally, 3D renderings may be included or excluded in printed plans.
How many sets of plans do I need?
Often with a preliminary plan, you will be provided with 4 sets of all pages. 3 for individual contractor bids and 1 for yourself as the client. Any number of plans can be provided per request and/or a digital version for viewing on computer or device that supports the PDF format.
How do you charge for a custom home design?
Prices can vary greatly on design work as each project is unique and tailored to a clients specific needs or project type (new construction, remodel, addition…). Often, an initial deposit of up to 1/3 of the estimated design cost may be required prior to commencing design services. Depending on the size of projects, billing will continue per every 30 days of design for any balances accrued. All payments due will be required prior to receiving any printed design documents (preliminary plan). Following the preliminary design phase, billing will resume for continued services until final plans are completed or services rendered.
How long does it take to design a custom home?
It is encouraged to initiate and continue the project design to completion in a timely manner and at a pace that is steady and swift. This helps to keep all ideas and updates fresh in the designer and clients minds. Though this is not always the case, we are able to work at any pace the client feels comfortable with for cost, timing or unforeseen circumstances. All design projects are digitally stored and can be resumed as needed.
Are your floor plans structurally engineered?
No, Dmation and its employees are not registered Architects or Engineers. We do not advertise or offer such services. Although most residential homes follow standard structural design practices that do not require specialized structural design considerations, Dmation will make every effort to work with builders and engineers as needed to comply with all local codes in these cases.
How quickly can I get a set of plans?
We leave much of the time frame to the discretion of our clients and/or the complexity of the project to be designed.Many design projects range from 30 – 60 hours of on-hand designer time. Though this is generally not accomplished in a consecutive fashion due to other obligations or commitments. It is generally best to pace the design project to allow for time between iterations to allow clients to review and offer feedback or seek outside inspiration.
