FAQ:

1-  Why should I hire an architect over a “home designer” or “builder designer”? 

Answer:  A licensed architect has undergone an extensive education and internship process that culminates with the successful passing of the ARE (architect registration examination). This process takes on average 8-12 years and is very rigorous, this experience is critical to the skills of a professional architect and those skills and experience are pored into each project that is undertaken.

Ultimately that effort becomes added value that results in a design that better fits and enhances the client’s life, achieves a superior relationship with the building site and has intrinsic “resale” value.  Without exception and simply stated: a licensed architect professionally designed home will be better than one that is not and when building or remodeling a home will be one of the largest “purchases” of your life, why would you use a plan that is “stock” or use a “home designer” or have your contractor “design it”. Your home is you personal environment, make it the best it can be, guarantee it by hiring a qualified licensed architect.

2-  What is the difference between a “home designer” and an architect?

Answer:  Unlike architects, Home Designers are not legally required to pass exams or receive special licenses. Basically if you want to be a home designer then all you have to do is say you are and poof you are one. Now to be fair, a home designer can become a “certified” home designer through a professional organization called The National Council of Building Designer Certification. This is purely volunteer; it has no national or state oversight. A licensed architect is just that, licensed and responsible for the publics health, safety and welfare.  

3-  How much will services cost to design my home or home remodel project?

Answer:  This is a great question, the stephen group, inc. has a published “Fee Schedule” that is updated each calendar year and is available at your request (please fill out a “Contact Us” form and indicate that you want a fee schedule in the comments box and we will send you one).

This fee schedule is based on square footage pricing. This is the only good way I have found to fairly quantify the cost of design services, you will only pay for what you want us to do; it is that simple.

Many of my competitors today still use a price model that is based upon a percentage of construction costs; this has been the architectural industry tradition. The question always arises: “what will the construction costs be and what percentage factor will be used”? It gets way to fuzzy for me and I know it can be really fuzzy for you the client. This is why the stephen group has a set in stone fee schedule that eliminates confusion and is direct and to the point.

4-  Will I get a estimate of what it will cost before you begin architectural services?

Answer:  You bet! After I conduct your Free on site project consultation, I will have a real good idea of what you want and how many square feet your project will be. I will prepare a “Proposal / Agreement” that spells out exactly what I will do and what it will cost based upon the stephen group’s “Fee Schedule” for your review and acceptance before we proceed.

5-  How long will the design work take?

Answer:  This depends on two factors: what services will you select, and how timely will you be in the decision process. There are many in the architectural community that say: “it should take about the same time to design a house as it will to build it”. It has been my personal experience that I take on average between one third to one half the time it takes to build. I can design much faster than that, if required, but it is always a factor of how fast the client takes to make decisions or if after a decision is made, does the client change their minds. I will make this bold claim: “You will never be waiting for me to complete my work within the agreed upon design schedule”.

6-  What are the steps in the design process?

Answer:  There are three basic steps to the design process, they are briefly as follows: First, is Schematic Design. This is the investigative period, where I come to understand your goals and dreams for your project that result in a Floor Plan. Second, is Design Development. This step further defines the floor plan and specific materials, finishes, equipment and fixtures that will be specified and will result in an updated Floor Plan and Exterior Elevation. Third, is the Construction Document Phase. This is the final phase of design that really defines the “nuts & bolts” of the plans so a builder can build your dream the way you want it and includes all the documents that are outlined in the stephen group, inc. “Fee Schedule” and your “Proposal / Agreement”.

7-  Do you design Green or Sustainable?

Answer:  Yes, and that is the short answer. Here is the long answer; to help begin to explain it one might also ask: what is the difference between Sustainable and Green design practices? To explain Sustainable Design; I would say that since the beginning of time all architects and builders have designed and built sustainable. To me sustainability is the ability of a product to last and perform well or to use a previously used item in a new product, extending it’s useful life. Or, simply stated: getting the most out of everything used in the design. This is a founding ideal of the stephen group’s design principals.

It is my opinion that “Green” is a new word or description for a recent movement to be truly sustainable. A reinvention of a long history of sustainable design practices, so to speak. What is exciting is there are very good systems now in place, to actually verify, if a completed project meets specific criteria. Those being LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design: United States Green Building Council), Healthy Built Home Program (by state) and Energy Star (U.S. EPA & U.S. Department of Energy). We are excited to work with a client that wants to design within any of these programs to help not only our planet environment but to reduce a client’s annual energy use & costs.

8-  What would be some types of Green or Sustainable design ideas you could use in my home?

Answer:  There are three basic principals that are related to good Green and Sustainable design practices. These principals are at the core of excellent Green and Sustainable design practices.

First, size does matter; the smaller the “foot print” (in every possible aspect of definition) has the greatest benefit in reducing consumption of energy and the use of resources to manufacture materials, deliver to the job site and construct the finished home.

Second, the building envelope; the more efficient the shell of a home the better it will perform to keep energy in or out during the seasons of the year. This has to do with insulation (roof, wall & floor R values), window and door quality, interior & exterior materials used and how well all those systems are put together to create a quality building envelope.  

Third, systems; this would include Heating and Cooling of the interior spaces (high SEER rated equipment, geo-thermal, solar passive or solar water), air quality, heating of water (natural gas or propane on-demand or solar), reclamation and reuse of water, efficiency of lighting (natural light, high efficiency light bulbs or Photovoltaic electrical production) and the efficiency of appliances. There are other important factors but these are the biggies!

9-  Can you help us develop a project budget?

Answer:  Yes, we sure can help you develop a project budget. We have extensive experience in budget planning. The stephen group has excellent spreadsheet templates for developing budgets and vast experience with a wide variety of projects to base their budgets on.

10-  Will you help us choose a builder?

Answer:  Yes, the stephen group would love to assist you in selecting a well qualified builder to make your dreams a reality. The stephen group has a group of excellent builders to recommend for your project. We have a proven set of questions that will guide you to finding out what builder will be the best fit to your personality and goals. In addition, if you would like, the stephen group can schedule prequalified builders to meet with together with us and guide the interviews to a satisfactory conclusion.

11-  What are Construction Administration Services?

Answer:  Construction Administration Service are standard service that architects provide to insure that the builder complies with the construction documents. These services typically include a weekly meeting between the owner, architect and the builder to review the status of the project, answer questions that the representative parties have and to make a physical inspection of the work in place. Also, to review applications for payment and any change orders that may arise.

It has been my experience that these services are well worth the cost, I can not tell you how many potential problems are avoided when these services are executed. Lets be honest you are not a professional in the design and building industry so please consider very seriously the implications you may face not knowing the day to day business. I have some great stories (yes they are true) if you would like me to prove my point and I would love to tell them!

12-  What are Project Management / Owner Representative Services?

Answer:  These services are far more comprehensive in nature. They would be very suitable to clients who are very busy, not in “town” very often or who would like to have a more distant relationship with their project. The stephen group can literally take your idea from it’s inception to a completed project with very little interaction on your part, if that is what you would like to do.

13-  What is “Universal Design” and/or “Aging in Place Design” and do you provide those services?

Answer:  With an ever increasing older population the need for Universal Design has never been so important. Universal Design is simply a way to design or create environments that can be used by all regardless of age or ability. Yes, the stephen group is excited to incorporate Universal Design into your next project, if that is the design focus you would like. To be very honest, a well executed Universal Design will not be easily recognized, if at all. Of course Universal Design is very easy to incorporate into a new home design, when remodeling it can be a bit more of a challenge due to the existing conditions of your house. But, the stephen group is ready and able to create a seamless Universal Design under any conditions.

We listen, then together we build your dreams.

CONTACT US to schedule a FREE on site project consultation at:

info@thestephengroupinc.com or 828.713.5707