Project Process and Structure

Most homeowners come to us before they know whether to remodel, add on, or rebuild. Figuring out the right direction is the first thing we do together. Every phase that follows is designed to bring clarity before commitment.

The Four Phases of a Project

Every project follows a structured process designed to establish the right direction, develop the design, and guide the work from initial planning through construction.

01

Discovery Call

A conversation about your property, goals, and which direction makes sense.

The first step is understanding your goals, your property, and whether a feasibility review or direct transition into architectural services makes the most sense.

What to expect

The Discovery Call is complimentary and typically takes 20 to 30 minutes. You do not need to arrive with a budget, a plan, or a fully defined project.

We discuss:

  • Your property and existing conditions
  • How you use the space today
  • What you want to change or improve
  • Whether remodel, addition, or rebuild is the right direction
  • Your goals, priorities, and timeline considerations

From there, we can determine whether the project is a good fit, outline a realistic scope direction, and identify the appropriate next step.

If something is not aligned with what is realistically achievable, we will say so at this stage rather than months into design.

You leave with a clear understanding of your options and the path forward.

02

Feasibility and Project Evaluation

Understanding what your property can realistically support before design begins.

Before committing to full architectural design, we evaluate the opportunities, constraints, and requirements that shape your project. Depending on the complexity of the property and the information available, this may include a dedicated Feasibility Study or a focused evaluation as part of the initial design process.

What it includes

The Feasibility Study is a detailed review of your property before committing to full architectural design.

  • Pre-meeting review of lot-specific zoning, planning requirements, and available property information
  • One on-site visit of up to 60 minutes led by a licensed architect
  • Assessment of feasibility, site constraints, structural considerations, and architectural opportunities
  • Guidance on remodel, addition, or new construction strategies
  • Preliminary review of layout potential, massing, and permitting implications
  • Written project summary and alignment on next steps into full architectural services

Most clients describe it as the clearest picture they have had of any home project.

03

Architectural Design and City Approvals

Design developed and refined before anything is documented for permit.

Once the project direction is established, we develop the design through a structured process that resolves scope, layout, and technical requirements before construction. You review the design at key milestones before decisions move forward.

What this phase involves

This phase covers everything from early design concepts through a fully permitted, ready-to-build set of drawings.

  • Schematic design and spatial planning
  • Design development and refinement
  • Construction drawings and documentation
  • Structural engineer and consultant coordination
  • Permit application and city submission
  • Corrections, responses, and approval management

Permit requirements vary significantly across the South Bay and Peninsula. Saratoga, Los Altos, and Los Altos Hills each have distinct review processes that we manage from initial submission through approval.

We keep you informed throughout the process so decisions are made with the right information at the right time.

Optional

Contractor Bidding and Selection

Optional support to help you select the right builder.

  • Preparing the bid package
  • Coordinating contractor questions
  • Reviewing proposals for completeness and scope alignment
  • Helping evaluate pricing, qualifications, and approach

Because contractors bid from the same completed documents, you receive a more meaningful comparison before construction begins.

04

Construction Phase Support

We remain involved through the build.

Our involvement does not end when permits are approved. We remain available during construction to protect design intent, answer questions, and help resolve issues that arise during the build.

How we stay involved

During construction, we:

  • Provide design clarifications to the contractor
  • Review proposed changes against the original design intent
  • Conduct site visits at key stages of construction
  • Assist with questions related to the architectural documents

When a contractor has a question, it gets answered with the full context of what was designed and why.

Construction phase support is part of how we work. A home that is built accurately, without design intent being lost to contractor interpretation, is the outcome we are here for.

What the experience actually looks like

We meet on site and come back with a clear picture of what is possible on your specific property.

Discovery

A direct conversation about what the site will support, what the realistic options are, and what the process looks like from here.

Early Design

Working drawings we discuss and revise together before they become expensive to change.

Permit Phase

We submit, follow up, and respond to corrections. Every city in the South Bay and Peninsula has a different approval process and we manage that from the first submission through to permit issuance.

Construction

Contractor questions get answered correctly and quickly. The drawings are detailed enough to support accurate pricing and clear enough to build from without ambiguity.

See the homes this process has produced

Timeline

A typical project runs 8 to 16 months from Discovery Call through construction documents and permit. Construction timeline varies by project scope. A project-specific timeline will be discussed during the Feasibility Study.

Go deeper on planning, feasibility, and zoning: Project Planning Guide · Feasibility and Starting Smart · What's Possible

A focused 20 to 30 minute conversation about your property, goals, and direction. No preparation required.

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