FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
Our pricing is tailored to each project and always negotiated up front so there are no surprises! The overall fee is broken down by phase (for example, Design versus Construction Documents), and we prefer to use a fixed price for larger project and hourly with a cap for small projects or projects without a defined scope.
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
Our first step is always to get on a short phone call to introduce ourselves and hear the client's vision for the project, and also discuss basic logistical goals such as budget and timeline. We would then email you a portfolio showcasing our office and examples of similar projects we've completed in the past which are specific to your particular project. If we both feel it's a right fit, we will schedule a time to meet you at your project site where we can brainstorm options and evaluate any challenges and opportunities. After gathering all of the information we need and getting to know the client's goals for the project we put together a detailed proposal which outlines our process of working together, our fees, schedule, and basic terms. Our process is tailored to each particular project but are generally structured in the following way: 1. Predesign - We produce fasibility studies and programming (finding your property's "highest and best use"), master planning, site measurement, and initial meetings/interviews with the client to set the basis for later design phases. 2. Schematic Design - We will start sketching ideas and conceptualizing the project - developing hand sketches, diagrams and 3d models, and preliminary layout options for the client’s review. We will meet to present an initial schematic design presentation and allow for two revisions. 3. Design Development - We prepare a limited set of construction drawings (site plan, floor plans, and elevations) to be used in submitting to the city Planning Department and for preliminary bidding purposes. 4. Construction Documents - We prepare a full set of construction drawings and coordinate an engineering team to be used in submitting to the city Building Department and for construction of the project. 5. Construction Observation - On an as-needed basis we will work with the General Contractor and client to observe if the work and handle changes or issues that come up during construction.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
All of our staff has historically been trained as architects, and we value high design and communication skills over anything else! Both founders, Dane and Nastaran, have Masters in Architecture (MArch) degrees.