Your "10 -Step" Road-Map to Success
THE FOLLOWING IS OUR "ROAD MAP" (broad picture) OF OUR PROCESSES TO HELP GUIDE THE PLANNING OF YOUR PROJECT TO A SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION.
Our approach to every Design Project is two-fold:
- 1: To help you plan your project in such a manner that minimizes "grey areas" or potential miscommunications between you and your builder.
- 2: Consult with you to help you better understand how your decisions may affect your overall cost to build your project
...So let's get started!!!
RoadMap STEP - #1: "Initial Consultation"
~ 10 EASY STEPS TO SUCCESS ~
STEP 1:
***FREE***
Initial Consultation
1-Hour Phone / Zoom Consultation
Send us an email using the button below to schedule your Free Consultation.
Please be sure to include all information requested as well as a brief description of your project.
During our Consult, the answers you provide to our questions help us to determine the services you will need us to provide. We will discuss your project ideas and gain a better understanding of your goals. We will explain (in detail) and answer any questions you may have about our process and how it "closes gaps" that may cost you unnecessary $$$'s during the construction of your project.
DUE DILIGENCE
Overall project quotes are not provided during your Initial Consultation as we must collect a considerable amount of additional information and visit your project site (as necessary) prior to accurately quoting your project.
We look forward to learning about your ideas and vision!!!
Click the button below to schedule your "FREE" Consultation
RoadMap STEP - #2: "PSV & Discovery"
STEP 2
Preliminary Site Visit (PSV) & (PD) Preliminary Discovery
We will meet with you at your project ("on-site) to gather necessary information (PD) and evaluate the feasibility of your project.
Please Take Notes...
During this meeting we suggest that you are able to take notes... There will be a tremendous amount of information provided and decisions that you will need to make prior to our drafting of your project plans and engineering.
Our clients all understand the value of the PSV.
When we meet with you at your project location we will -
- Walk Your Project with you through your property, residence, or commercial space and gain a firm grasp on the scope of your project.
- Consult & Discuss with you as many questions pertaining to your project as is necessary.
- Offer Solutions and/or alternatives to areas of your project that may not be "well planned" or would be considered "Non-Code compliant". This happens frequently and in most cases we are able to convey the issue and assist you in arriving at reasonable and oftentimes - better solutions.
Regardless of whether you decide to use our services, we suggest you take advantage of our decades of expertise so you will know what questions to ask should you decide to enlist a different company for your architectural design needs.
- Q: How much time should I set aside for my PSV?
- We ask that you dedicate a minimum 4 hour block of time to visit with us at your project. Often, and in more complex projects - we may exceed our maximum 4 hour appointment. You do not need to worry about this in the least... The PSV is so very important for all parties as it allows us to clearly understand the Scope of Work your project entails.
- The PSV provides us the necessary information to provide you an accurate "Preliminary Estimate of Services".
- Q: Will I get an estimate for Kohr3D's Services?
(The elephant in the room :)
- Prior to departing from your PSV, and after we have met with you and collected your ideas and necessary information (Scope of Work), we will offer you a verbal "Preliminary Estimate of Services" to discuss at that time with us - and for you to sleep on.
PSV Information:
- Time: typically 2 - 4 hrs. on-site + Travel
- Price: A Quote for your "PSV" is provided during your Initial Consultation. (see "Step 1")
Click the button below to schedule your "FREE" Consultation
RoadMap Steps #3 - #4: (Quote & Contract)
Step 3
Quote (Preliminary) - We will email you a preliminary quote based on the information we have collected and discussed during the previous steps. This quote will be sent to you via "Docusign" for your approval and digital signature(s).
Step 4
Contract / Agreement - Once you have settled in and approved the "Preliminary Quote", we will draft our "Design & Consult Agreement" and forward it to you via "Docusign" for your approval and digital signature(s).
(typically 2 - 4 hrs. on-site)
Click the button below to schedule your "FREE" Consultation
RoadMap STEP - #5: "(SVM) Site Visit for Measure"
STEP 5
(SVM) Site Visit for Measure - Once our agreement is in place, we will schedule a Site Visit and send one of our technicians to your project site to take measurements and drawings to be used for your As-Built drawing(s) (A/B).
The information they will collect includes (but not limited to)
- Wall dimensions and locations
- Doors & Windows dimensions & locations
- Exterior Elevations
- Roof Pitch(es)
- Fixtures types & locations
- Cabinet locations
- Appliance locations
- Electrical locations
- Plumbing locates & info
- HVAC locations
- Exterior Siding Type(s)
- Out-buildings size(s) & locations
- Tree size(s) & locations (if Tree Ordinance is applicable)
- Pictures for clarifications
- Videos for clarifications
(among other items depending on the project type and scope).
The following project types require (to scale)
"**As-Built" (A/B) plans
"Demo" plans
"Remodel" plans
"Elevation" (EV) plans
in cases where "additions" are being added or any structural components of your project are being
modified, added, or removed.
- Remodels (Residential & Commercial) A/B + EV
- Additions (Residential & Commercial) A/B - EV
- Deck Conversions (Existing) - A/B - EV
- New Construction: N/A (subject to conditions)
There are many other Architectural Design plans and Engineering plans that may be required for your project. We will determine and discuss these with you during our Initial Consult with you.
When Applying for your Building Permit:
Your local DSD (Development Services Dept.) Plan Review will reject a permit application without the proper plans included in your architectural design and engineering envelope.
**If you have existing original architectural drawings available (to scale), this step may be bypassed.
RoadMap STEP - #6: "(FDM) Final Discovery Meeting"
STEP 6
(FDM) Final Discovery Meeting - This Zoom meeting is the last "Discovery Meeting" we will hold with you. We will review and make sure all of the boxes are checked off on our Discovery List.
The FDM is critical to compare all notes and be certain there are no additional surprises that might pop up during our design process. In most cases, non-disclosed information may cause a "Change Order" in your project. We use our FDM to do a final review of all items and information we have compiled jointly, and check off all of the boxes on our master FDM list.
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Once the FDM has been completed, we will send you an email within 48 hours (not including weekends) announcing the "Start of Design" along with your assigned "Project Number". This is the date when the "Expected Timeline" begins.
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RoadMap STEP - #7: "Design & Consult Begins"
STEP 7:
Creation of your Plans: Our journey together begins here...This is where we begin drafting your plans, enlist our engineers, and coordinate all other necessary services involved in the planning of your project.
Every project is different in both Design and Construction Scope (of work). Kohr3D has extensive construction experience and we are able to "think through" and design your plans as if we were going to be the builder for your project. While it's not a perfect art, discussing pitfalls we may discover in the planning process and adding details to the plans to address the pitfalls is what sets Kohr3D above most other design companies.
We are experts at listening to your ideas and providing you with comprehensive plans and impromptu 3D visualizations (as necessary) to help you make informed decisions for your project.
While we are drafting your plans, we will consult with you and guide the project via Zoom / Teams meetings. Using our technology and guidance helps you to better understand how your decisions may affect your overall cost to build your project
Click the button below to schedule your "FREE" Consultation
RoadMap STEP - #8: "Choosing your GC (Builder)"
STEP 8:
This step in our process runs simultaneously with the development of your project plans...
Many clients approach us with a "GC" (General Contractor) they prefer to use on their project.
We prefer to have a GC involved during the plan development stage of your project. This helps all parties to have a clear understanding of the project as it progresses, and gives the builder a "head start" on providing you a "bid" for your project.
FOR THOSE NEEDING A GC
Contacting, interviewing, and collecting a GC's information and quotes can be a daunting task. GC's take on a tremendous amount of work to gather all of the costs for materials, labor, administrative, sub-contractors, suppliers, as well as coordinating many visits to meet with sub-contractors on your project site and walk them through your project scope.
We hear most often "Why are they taking so long" from our clients... and we have the same conversation and ask them to reach out to their GC at any time if they have concerns.
Patience wins every time!!! Regardless of whether you have your own GC or use one that we have referred to you, we ask that you be patient and let them perform their process to be able to provide you an accurate quote.
Your patience will pay off during the construction of your project as their time spent in advance to be accurate will potentially reduce the amount of "Change Orders" and additional costs that projects incur.
Kohr3D CONTRACTOR NETWORK REFERRALS
We may offer you referrals to our "5-Star" - Vetted General Contractors in our private network.
Our "Vetting" process for our GC members requires them to provide the same information a property owner should require before they contract with a GC.
While we do our best to thoroughly vet our network Contractors, not every client and contractor are a good fit. We are continually growing our "Contractor Referral Network" of "vetted" builders who are committed to providing you with 5-Star Quality and Service.
Contractor referrals are exactly that. We offer referrals to alleviate our client's workload and stress. The Client (you) are responsible for making your own decisions in choosing a GC and Kohr3D is not liable in any manner for providing a referral(s) to you from our private Contractor Network.
A referral is exactly what it implies... While our Contractor Network Members have been vetted, Kohr3D Design Group does not endorse any of our network contractors, yet we refer them as a "courtesy" to our clients.
Client Agrees that Kohr3D Design Group, RC3D Design, Inc., individually or as a whole, and its officers, staff, sub-contractors, or any persons involved in the RC3D Design, Inc., family will not be held liable for any issues that may arise between the client and their GC.
To See Our Contractor Referral Vetting Process
Click the button below to schedule your "FREE" Consultation
RoadMap STEP - #9: "Activation of Engineering"
STEP 9
GETTING AHEAD OF THE SCHEDULE
This step in our process runs simultaneously with the
development of your project plans...
Typically in our industry, Structural Engineers require Architectural
Design Plans prior to starting their drafting of your engineering that accompanies our plans.
This means that they will wait to begin their process until the Designer has completed their plans and submits the finished
design envelope to the Engineer.
This may affect your desired timeline to start building your project, as most Engineers quote a minimum of 20 business days ( and often more - depending on the scope of the project).
Kohr3D has developed partnerships and open communications with our Engineers that allows us to "activate" or "assign" an Engineer early in the drafting phase of your project plans. While we are creating your plans, we are communicating with our Engineer(s) and providing them preliminary information and plans suitable for them to begin drawing their plans. These relationships allow our Engineers to get "ahead of the timeline" and draw their plans in tandem with our design plans.
Click the button below to schedule your "FREE" Consultation
RoadMap STEP - #10: "Finalization & Permitting"
STEP 10
Finalization of Plans - Our journey is coming to an end...
Once we have completed the necessary design plans for your project, we will do a Final Review (Zoom Meeting) to go over the design envelope (plan-set) with you. After the meeting is over and pending your verbal acceptance, we will prepare and deliver the envelope to you in "NFC" (Not For Construction - "Watermarked") format via "Docusign" for your final signature(s).
You will see that there is a signature block on the plans for your GC / Designated Builder. Your builder will be required to sign acceptance of the final plans as well.
Once we have obtained all signatures, (yours and your GC) you will be emailed the design envelope with the
watermark lifted and issued...
"FOR CONSTRUCTION"
PERMITTING SERVICE
During our Design Process, we create the necessary plans that you (or your builder) will need to be able to submit and obtain a "Permit" from your local Development Services Department.
Permitting a project takes knowledge, time, communication, and often "patience" when wading through the "red tape" of plan review offices.
If you would like Kohr3D to perform this process, we will be happy to quote you for our services.
We hope this roadmap has helped to provide you with clarity as to what is involved in the "Planning" of a project.
WHEN YOU ARE READY TO TALK...
We are happy to visit with you about your project and schedule a PSV (Preliminary Site Visit). Please contact us with your information by pressing the button below and we will reach out to you within 24 hours to set an appointment for your
FREE (1-hour) Initial Consultation