Basic Plans

If you are in a little bit of a rush and don't want to spend an arm and a leg, you've come to the right place!

Our Basic Plans are just that . . . they're plans that are basic in nature.  These construction documents include just a Floor Plan and Exterior Elevations.  They are fairly quick to produce and we can usually get you in pretty quickly, as we keep a slot open for these type of projects.

This service is for folks who know exactly what they want, don't need any design work, and are looking for a no frills solution.

The Process

The process for Basic Plans is very similar to our other plans, it just generally moves a lot more quickly.  You'll come in for an initial meeting if needed.  If we agree it's not needed we may just discuss over the phone and have you send pictures by e-mail.  We model your home and do send some pictures back and forth, but not nearly the volume as with a more detailed project.

It's very important that you know what you want for this service.  If you bring in a sketch or inspiration plan that needs little to no changes we can work with that.  If you have something that needs major changes or you're not sure where you want to go with it, then this might not be the service for you.  We do allow for some design work, but very minimal.  There's a very low level of detail as well.  We don't do a full kitchen design, nor do we design any other cabinetry.  We put details lines on the floor plan to represent your kitchen cabinetry and then you can have someone else design your kitchen.  Or you can always bring it back to us and we can do that for you as a separate project.  If we've done your plans and you come back to us for kitchen design it's generally faster and cheaper than a typical kitchen remodel, as we've already modeled the space so we're a step ahead.

The name of the game with Basic Plans is speed and a budget.  Design work and detail take time and cost money, so that's something to keep in mind with these.  If this is something you're interested in, but you're not sure if your project will work with these, please reach out to us and we can take a look and see.

Fees

As with all new construction projects, I'll have to take a look at it to give you an estimate.  This is typically done at our initial meeting or over the phone.  As with other projects, this isn't a bid, only an estimate.  We usually come in with that estimate in the end, but there is always the possibility of a rate change if the scope of work changes.  That isn't usually the case on Basic Plans, but the possibility is there, so I must mention.

Retainer Fee

We require a $250 retainer due at our first meeting to secure our services. This may be mailed if we discuss over the phone. We will not begin new projects until this retainer is received. The early bird gets the worm.  We are currently working off of a waitlist so we don't typically have multiple clients vying for the same spot on our schedule, but in the rare situations where that is the case, the first one to turn in their retainer is the first project in.  For more on the waitlist see our "Waitlist" page.

This retainer fee will count towards the cost of your project. If you decide not to continue your project, this fee is NON-refundable. We may have had you on the schedule and turned away other projects. If you drop your project, those other folks may have already found someone else to work with. We do like to keep the calendar full, so please keep this in mind both for your sake, mine, and that of others who may be waiting to work with us.

Along The Way

We do bill along the way the same as with all new construction projects.  So that is a discounted hourly rate of $25/hr every time we hit 20 hours.  You pay your $250 retainer.  When the first 20 hours is logged you'll pay another $250.  Then $500 every 20 hours until we reach the end.  The difference between this for most new construction projects and Basic Plans is that you generally don't have many along the way payments, if any.  Sometimes it ends up that by the time we hit that first 20 hours we're so close to complete that we just wait and bill the final invoice.  Very often you'll just pay one or two partial payments along the way.  It just depends on how quickly the project is moving and how close we are to complete at those intervals.

Prices

Actual prices for all projects range from $.35 per square foot to $.85 per square foot (and up).  Basic Plans tend to fall in the $.35-.45 range.  This is based upon everything shown on the prints. That means the entire gross construction area which includes all the heated and cooled areas, any finished areas of attic, the basement (if you have one), garage, porches, decks, etc. Sidewalks, driveways, and the like are not generally included unless they require a large amount of work and specifications. I usually just show those as a basic example and they are actually worked out on site.
​Basic Plans
$.35-.45 Per Square Foot

These are simple and fast.  Designed to get you in and out the door quickly and stay within a tight budget.  Construction documents include Floor Plan and Exterior Elevations.  Ideal for clients who know what they want, already have a plan sketched out or a plan to use as inspiration that needs few or no changes, and don't want to spend a lot of money on plans.  Little to no design work is involved with detail lines representing cabinetry in kitchen, bathrooms, and for built-ins.  These plans have a much quicker turn around than with detailed plans and design services. 

You will receive 5 sets of prints included with your original estimate.  Additional individual sets may also be purchased.

More Information

For more information about our home design process in general, see our New Construction page.  There, you'll find more detailed information and can help decide which service seems most appealing to you.  If you want fast and less expensive, or if you really love that attention to detail and want to invest more time and money.  If you still have questions, check out our FAQs page, or reach out to us using our Contact Us page.