Custom Home Design Services
- How to start the custom home design process
- Schematic design and development phase
- Complete custom home design set
- Our goal for your custom home design
Most people start out looking through stock house plan collections to find a home design they like. In some cases a few changes may be required to get the plans exactly the way they want them. However, there is a tipping point in modifying stock house plans and going with a custom home design may be a better option. In either case, we hope you choose us in your home planning needs.
Design Evolutions Inc., GA is a house plans design company. Our primary business is producing and selling stock house plans to home builders and future homeowners. However, we realize that a custom home design is sometimes desired, or perhaps, required to capture the essence of your home planning needs. We are eager to assist you if you are in need of a truly custom design that will meet the requirements of your property and needs of your family.
Your custom home design should be a work of art. We tailor the design to fit your family’s one of a kind lifestyle because no two families are alike. We are flexible in our approach to meeting your design needs. Our custom home design service is as diverse as our clients because we work in many different styles of architecture with an unbiased pursuit to create your perfect dream home design. Consider using our residential design services for a unique custom home design.
How to start the custom home design process
Before you consult with the residential building designer, know what you want and have your information in order. It’s okay if you do not have all the answers. Not having all of the answers allow for flexibility in the design when needed. Contact us with the following information so that we can begin the process.
- Building site plan – The building site lot size, setbacks, and grade are important factors in the design of your home. Knowing the setbacks help in determining the maximum width and depth of the proposed design. Knowing the grade of the land helps to establish best foundation option.
- Square footage and foundation – What is the maximum total heated square footage you would like? Will you need a slab, crawl space, or basement foundation?
- Room requirements – Number of bedrooms, amount of bathrooms, office, dining, entertainment, bonus room, garage, office, etc.
- Architectural style – What style of home are you interested in? Pictures are encouraged if you aren’t sure how to identify a style.
- Architectural Control Committee (ACC) – Will the design need to meet certain guidelines of a neighborhood development?
After this information is reviewed and discussed, the residential building designer will prepare a design agreement proposal outlining the design program, design fee, time frame, and the terms of service. Upon your agreement and remitted deposit, we will add your project to our schedule to begin the design of your custom dream home.
Schematic Design and Development phase
Schematic Design ($2,000 – up to 5,000 heated sq ft)
The owner’s program and design objectives are established. We take all of the materials you have prepared to help define the overall goal of the design program and create a design concept. The schematic design consist of the 1st & 2nd floor plans plus a front elevation. These drawing are presented to the homeowner for review and approval. The homeowner may use the final approved schematic floor plans and elevation as a study set and for estimating and planning purposes. When you decide to move forward and develop the design so that you can build the home, we will develop the working drawings into a complete set of construction documents.
If you choose to have your construction documents developed using the services of another building designer or architect, that design professional must be granted a license by Design Evolutions to complete the project.
Design Development
We begin to transition into working drawings as we design the remaining elevations (left, right, and rear) along with the roof plan. The remaining elevations are sent to the homeowner to give a complete picture of the overall design and if changes are require, this is the time to make them. After the design is approved, this completes the design phase of the program and we move completely into the working drawings phase.
In the working drawings phase, we develop detailed drawings of the approved design to include the necessary specifications and details for your builder to bid the job and apply for a permit. The finished drawings, known as construction documents, are then ready to be built.
Complete custom home design set
Standard set of Construction Documents ($1.70-$1.90 per heated square foot) *
- Cover sheet – Includes the page index and a 3D architectural rendering of the home as if it were built.
- Foundation plan – Monolithic slab, crawl space, or basement.
- Floor plans – Full dimensions with notes and abbreviated floor/ ceiling framing members.
- Window & door schedule – Specify sizes, make and/or model
- Exterior elevations – Indicate floor to ceiling heights, wall & roof materials, and other elements.
- Roof plan overview – Shows a bird’s eye view of the overall layout of the roof, ridges, valleys, and slopes.
- Section details – Wall sections, foundation sections, and other misc. sectional details as required.
- Electrical plans – Indicates the location of light fixtures, switches, and outlets, showing the intent of the lighting design layout of the home.
Expanded set of Construction Documents ($2.00-$2.20 per heated square foot) *
- Standard set plus the following…
- Interior elevations – Built-in cabinet units, fireplaces, bookcases, and other special interior design features.
Drawings in the expanded set provide additional detail and information to help your builder with the budget and construction of your home.
* Fee may be higher on unusual design concepts such as curved or angled walls/ building, requiring additional detailed drawings.
Our goal for your custom home design
Our goal is to design a work of art that stands the test of time. We do this by adhering to the age old philosophy “form follows function”. Remaining true to the chosen style of architecture is also important. Addressing your desires to develop custom designed house plans to fit your family’s lifestyle is the ultimate end game.
Overall, combining the aforementioned with the talents of Building Designer, Kirya J. Duncan, you can count on receiving a well thought out floor plan. The finished result is destined to be a custom home design that will have your neighbors admiring your home for years to come! View our design portfolio to see some of our past projects and contact us to get started on designing your custom home today.