Construction Sets provide the services most people need to have a successful project. The paragraphs below briefly summarize each phase with rough schedule estimates.  The number of weeks each phase can last highly depends on outside consultants and the number of client meetings. These estimates will be more accurately predicted after an in person consultation.  

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Existing Conditions is very similar to a Feasibility Study.   It involves the investigation of the site and/or home to evaluate it's potential. Research may include meeting with the jurisdiction, reviewing site characteristics and restrictions, and reviewing building and zoning codes. It often involves acquiring a geotechnical and/or topographic study. If the project is a remodel or addition, work also includes measuring the existing home and exposed structure and then drafting the measurements into plans, elevations and sections.

(1 - 4 weeks)

 

Schematic Design will explore within the boundaries established in Existing Conditions.  During this phase, we gather an understanding of the clients lifestyle needs and building style preferences, identify priorities of the program, and discuss what can be achieved within one's budget.  With that, we create a few design options consisting of plans and elevations. By conclusion, we have modified the options into one preliminary design idea along with a corresponding general identification of the building systems and materials. 

(3 - 8  weeks)

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In Preliminary Estimating, I will provide you with a rough construction cost range for the schematic design and preliminary specifications. If we have time in your schedule, it is also helpful to meet 2-3 general contractors that we are considering.  This will give a closer estimate although these can vary from one GC to the other by as much as 40% this early in the process.  Meeting with a GC can somewhat reserve them for your project assuming you stay on schedule but it will add about 4 weeks to this process.  Often though GCs aren't very available for estimates and prefer to meet with us to look at costs and schedule once the drawings are fully complete and the project is ready to go.

(3 - 5 weeks)

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Design Development continues the schematic design into more detail while developing the structure and designing the details.  The amount and types of details needed depends on the style of architecture and how specific the control of the design should be.  Details highly effect the quality of construction, design fees and schedule.  Once the basic framing is designed, the drawings are given to a structural engineer to complete the gravity and shear analysis along with designing structural details that coordinate with the architectural design.

(6 - 10 weeks)

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Interior Design coincides schedule-wise with the Design Development & Construction Document Phases.  Cleary Design Studio will provide all the rough interior elevations of spaces such as Kitchen and Bathrooms.  From this point, either the home owners, a separate interior designer or Cleary Design Studio will use these drawings, developing further, while making all the selections (providing cut sheets and specifications) to Cleary Design Studio to be coordinated into the drawings before the end of Construction Document Phase.  Selections needed consist of: lights, flooring, hardware, fixtures, appliances, countertops, stone, fireplace surfaces, stains, paint, interior trim, stairwell elements, etc.  Owners will need to decide who they would like to make the selections prior to the start of Design Development Phase.  Usually Cleary Design Studio provides a few options for each selection to the owners and then coordinates their favorite into the drawings.  However, with architecture as my specialty, it is no problem if you'd like to hire a separate interior designer or make most of the selections yourself.  It is especially a good idea to hire a separate interior designer if you also need help with non-built-in items such as curtains, area rugs and furniture, as those are not my specialty.  One should only plan on doing interior selections yourself if you have lots of time to commit and can stay on schedule.  If you would only like to choose certain items, such as lights, that is also helpful.  Once I know your style, I can provide you with websites to browse and info to guide you.

(5 - 12 weeks, coinciding with DD & CD phases)

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Construction Document phase coordinates all infö from outside consultants along with remaining drafting needed into the drawings.  This phase includes drafting of electrical layouts, door & window schedules, detail notes, dimensions, reviewing documents and jurisdiction meeting(s) for permit application.  

(3 - 6 weeks)

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Construction Administration is necessary to have a pro-active and smoother construction process especially with remodels.  The minimum number of site visit meetings required for this phase are: Project Start, Concrete Formwork (depending on project), Frame Walk, Tile Walk (depending on project) and Punch List Walk.  We don't usually know who the GC is going to be until the start of this phase, so as we go thru this phase we are able to get his/her input on where to cut cost or how to alter a structural detail to make it simpler to build, etc.  It is also when we may discover surprises not seen in the attic, crawl or behind the drywall (like plumbing, HVAC and structure) and so we work together as a team to figure out the best solutions.  

(The projects you see on this website took an average of 11 months to construct.) 

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