FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
Pricing is based on the project scope of work. No project is the same, therefore no pricing is the same. It's important to note that a designer offering cheaper services may not be providing the best design for your project; or their services may be limited based on the pricing they gave you. At Porch and Rose, we thrive to get the design right. Our proposals are short and straight forward, so you know what we are providing for your project. Our fees are based on delivering the client a permit-ready set of drawings. We have engineering consultants we can recommend and manage, should you choose to hire them through us. Our fixed fees are based on our standard hourly rate of $165/hr. If you're renovating an existing residence, our base fee to measure your home and draft as-built drawings of the existing conditions is $2,500. This is subject to change based on the size of your home. Our minimum base fee to provide permit-ready drawings is $10,000. This is subject to change based on the size of your home.
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
Step 1: We ask our clients to order a property survey (if they haven't already done so). This will be required for any permit. Step 2: We schedule a kick-off meeting with the client to learn what's essential for their dream home. Step 3: If the project is a renovation, we schedule a time to measure the client's residence, and draft the existing floor plans and building elevations into the computer. If the project is new construction, we skip Step 3 and proceed to the following step. Step 4: We provide 2-3 conceptual floor plans for the client to review. We present the highlights of each plan option and let the client decide which option works best for them. Most of the time, the client will take elements from all floor plan options to develop a hybrid version. Step 5: We revise the floor plans based on client feedback and present the first round of exterior elevations for them to review. Step 6: Once the floor plans and elevations have been reviewed by the client, we take a pause to let the client show the drawings to potential builders for preliminary pricing. We also take this time to hire any necessary consultants (Structural, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing engineers, etc.) Step 7: Once the client has received preliminary pricing from builders and/or has selected a builder, we will either proceed with construction drawings, or make a few design revisions to help reduce the construction cost, and then proceed to construction drawings. Step 8: Once the construction drawings are completed, we will issue them to the client and builder; and the builder will submit the drawings to the local jurisdiction for permit approval.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have a Professional Degree in Architecture from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (which is an accredited program for state licensure)