Architectural Design Process

Every project is unique, with its own set of goals, site conditions, and design challenges. For that reason, we begin with an initial on-site consultation to evaluate your project, understand your needs, and determine the appropriate scope of work.

After this meeting, we can provide a detailed proposal and fee estimate tailored to your specific project.

As a general guideline, architectural fees typically range from 5% to 8% of the total construction cost, depending on factors such as project complexity, size, and level of customization.

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OUR CAPABILITIES

Architectural Design _____________________________

covers the end-to-end process of developing functional and sustainable building solutions—from concept design and space planning to site analysis, schematic design, and construction documentation—while ensuring building code compliance and integrating sustainable design strategies.

Interior Design _____________________________

Architectural Design _____________________________

focuses on creating cohesive, functional, and visually compelling interior environments through effective space planning, thoughtful material and finish selection, furniture layout design, and integrated lighting solutions. It includes detailed specifications, custom millwork design, and curated styling to deliver refined and personalized spaces.

Construction Administration _____________________________

General Residential Construction _____________________________

ensures smooth project execution through site visit coordination, contractor communication, submittal and RFI management, progress oversight, issue resolution, and quality assurance monitoring.

General Residential Construction _____________________________

supports clients through construction by managing planning, trades, procurement, scheduling, execution, quality, cost, safety, and closeout—ensuring the design is carried through as intended.

OUR SERVICES

New Home Construction ____________________________

We design homes as a deeply personal, collaborative process—guided by durability, sustainability, detail, and the balance of form and function.

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Home Renovations & Additions ____________________________

We work with the existing floor plans to minimize demolition, maximize function and increase aesthetics.

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Accessory Dwelling Units ____________________________

We create thoughtfully designed secondary homes that enhances your property's value and flexibility, perfect for guests, rental income, or creating a private retreat just steps away.

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Commercial Interiors (T.I) ____________________________

Accessory Dwelling Units ____________________________

Offices, Gyms, Restaurants, and Flex Spaces. We create spaces which reflect and enhance a companies brand, all within a framework of being budget driven, efficient, and timely.

LEARN MORE

OUR SERVICES

New Home Construction ____________________________

We design homes as a deeply personal, collaborative process—guided by durability, sustainability, detail, and the balance of form and function.

LEARN MORE

Home Renovations & Additions ____________________________

We work with the existing floor plans to minimize demolition, maximize function and increase aesthetics.

LEARN MORE

Accessory Dwelling Units ____________________________

We create thoughtfully designed secondary homes that enhances your property's value and flexibility, perfect for guests, rental income, or creating a private retreat just steps away.

LEARN MORE

Commercial Interiors (T.I) ____________________________

Accessory Dwelling Units ____________________________

Offices, Gyms, Restaurants, and Flex Spaces. We create spaces which reflect and enhance a companies brand, all within a framework of being budget driven, efficient, and timely.

LEARN MORE

Our ADU Units

The Studio Core

Size : 480 Square ft

Type : Studio

Bath : 1 Bath

Dimensions : 19'-6" X 22'-4"

Height : 15'-6" (1 Storey)

EST. BUILD COST : $140K - $175K

EST. RENT : $1,100 - $1,400/mo

EST. NOI (Annual) : $8,400 - $12,000

EST. CASH ON CASH RETURN : 6% -8%

Best for: Tight Lots, budget-conscious builds, fast approval

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The Urban One

The Studio Core

Size : 620 Square ft

Type : 1 Bedroom

Bath : 1 Bath

Dimensions : 25' X 25'

Height : 16'-0" (1 Storey)

EST. BUILD COST : $160K - $210K

EST. RENT : $1,300 - $1,700/mo

EST. NOI (Annual) : $10,800 - $16,200

EST. CASH ON CASH RETURN : 7% -9%

Best for: Most Lots, Long-Term Rental, Strong Cash Flow

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The Flex House

The Loft Garage

Size : 780 Square ft

Type : 2 Bedroom

Bath : 1 Bath

Dimensions : 36'-4" X 30'-4"

Height : 17'-6" (1 Storey)

EST. BUILD COST : $200K - $250K

EST. RENT : $1,600 - $2,000/mo

EST. NOI (Annual) : $13,200 - $19,200

EST. CASH ON CASH RETURN : 7% -9%

Best for: Higher Rents, Small Families, Work-from-Home tenants

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The Loft Garage

Size : 780 Square ft

Type : 2 Bedroom Garage: 2 (560 Square ft)

Bath : 2 Bath

Dimensions : 36'-4" X 21'-4"

Height : 17'-6" (1 Storey)

EST. BUILD COST : $250K - $300K

EST. RENT : $1,700 - $2,300/mo

EST. NOI (Annual) : $20,400 - $27,600

EST. CASH ON CASH RETURN : 8% -10%

Best for: Higher Rents,Big Families, Work-from-Home tenants

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what is an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) have been known by many names: granny flats, in-law suite, nanny suite and more. Simply they are smaller, independent second dwellings on a single-family lot. They typically have their own living, bathroom, and kitchen space. ADUs are detached structures that can be built new or converted from an existing accessory building (such as a garage). New zoning laws in DC, MD and VA now promote and encourage homeowners to build ADUs making them more affordable and faster to build.

Uses include:

Rental Income
Aging Parents
Adult Children
Home Office
Guest House
Pool House
Gym & Flex Room

FAMILY

Maybe Mom and Dad need to be a little closer.
But everyone still needs a little space.

An ADU can create a home close enough for connection, while giving parents or other family members the independence and privacy of a place of their own.

INCOME

Maybe the space behind your house could start working for you.

A thoughtfully designed ADU can turn underused property into an independent rental home—and potentially create a new source of long-term income.

WORK

Maybe home is where you live.
But it doesn’t have to be where you work.

Create a dedicated office, studio, creative space, gym, or flexible workspace just steps from your home but separate enough to give work its own place.

GUEST

Maybe everyone should have a place to stay.
Without staying in your place.

Give friends and family a comfortable, private home of their own when they visit while keeping your everyday routines intact.

THE NEXT GENERATION

Maybe they’re ready for more independence.
Just not quite ready to be far away.

An ADU can give an adult child their own kitchen, living space, bathroom, and front door while keeping family close.

SOMETHING ELSE

Maybe you don’t know exactly what the next chapter looks like yet.

That’s okay.

The best ADUs aren't designed around a single moment in life. They're designed to continue being useful as life changes.

Today it might be an office.

Tomorrow, a guest house.

Later, a home for family.

Someday, perhaps a rental.

WHAT COULD YOUR ADU BECOME?

The ADU Process

01 DISCOVERY & FEASIBILITY

______________________________________

Client Inquiry
Free Property Review (questionnaire)
Feasibility Analysis (Zoning + Site)
Site Visit and Survey Coordination
Model Recommendation + Budget Range
Answer Customer’s Pre-Construction Questions

What to Expect:

Know if you can build an ADU
Recommended model
Rough cost: $150k–$250k+

Estimated Time Frame: Week 0- 2

02 PRE DEVELOPMENT

______________________________________

Client Signs Agreement
Site Visit + Survey Coordination
Concept Design (Selected Model Adapted)
Preliminary Pricing + Scope Confirmation

What to Expect:

Confirmed layout
Refined cost range
Timeline clarity

Estimated Time Frame: Week 2 - 6

03 DESIGN & PERMITTING

______________________________________

Construction Drawings
Engineering (Structural / Civil if needed)
Permit Submission
City Review + Revisions
Permit Approval

What to Expect:

“We’re handling permits”
Occasional updates

Estimated Time Frame: Week 6 - 16

04 FINAL PRICING & CONTRACT

_____________________________________

Final Construction Budget
Construction Agreement Signed
Project Scheduling

What to Expect:

Final price
Clear timeline

Estimated Time Frame: Week 12 - 18 overlap

05 CONSTRUCTION

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Site Prep (grading, utilities)
Foundation
Framing
MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing)
Insulation + Drywall
Finishes (flooring, cabinets, fixtures)
Final Inspections

What to Expect:

Weekly/biweekly updates
Site progress milestones

Estimated Time Frame: Month 4 - 9

06 COMPLETION & DELIVERY

_____________________________________

Final Inspection Passed
Certificate of Occupancy (CO)
Client Walkthrough
Project Handover

What to Expect:

Finished ADU ready to use/rent

Estimated Time Frame: Month 8 - 10

07 POST COMPLETION (OPTIONAL)

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Rental Setup Guidance
Property Optimization
Maintenance Support

THE NEW HOME CONSTRUCTION PHASES

01 Pre Design

______________________________________

Client Intake
Introductory Consultation / Discovery Call
Site Meeting & Existing Conditions Review
Proposal & Documentation Request
Feasibility Study

Estimated Time Frame: 2-4 Weeks

02 Schematic Design

______________________________________

Preliminary Floor Plan Concepts

Estimated Time Frame: 3-6 Weeks

03 Design Development

______________________________________

Design Refinement
Material Specification & Research
Consultant Introduction & Coordination
Budgeting

Estimated Time Frame: 4-8 Weeks

04 Construction Documents

_____________________________________

Authorization & Retainer
Construction Documentation
Permitting & City Review

Estimated Time Frame: 6-10 Weeks

05 Contractor Selection

____________________________________

Contractor Pricing & Scheduling
Material Procurement
Construction Start

Estimated Time Frame: 2-4 Weeks

06 Construction Observation as Architects

____________________________________

Coordination with Contractor & Consultation
Project Closeout (if Applicable)

06 Construction as Residential Contractor

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Pre-construction Planning & Feasibility
Budgeting, Estimating & Cost Control
Permitting & Code Coordination
Site Preparation & Mobilization
Full Project Management & Supervision
Subcontractor Sourcing & Coordination
Scheduling & Timeline Management
Construction Execution ( Ground-Up, Additions, Renovations)
Quality Control & Inspection
Change Order Management
Safety Management
Punch List & Project Closeout
Warranty & Post-Construction Support

Estimated Time Frame: Duration of Construction

The Remodel Phases

01 Pre Design

______________________________________

Client Intake
Introductory Consultation / Discovery Call
Site Meeting & Existing Conditions Review
Proposal & Documentation Request
Feasibility Study

Estimated Time Frame: 2-4 Weeks

02 Schematic Design

______________________________________

Preliminary Floor Plan Concepts

Estimated Time Frame: 3-6 Weeks

03 Design Development

______________________________________

Design Refinement
Material Specification & Research
Consultant Introduction & Coordination
Budgeting

Estimated Time Frame: 4-8 Weeks

04 Construction Documents

_____________________________________

Authorization & Retainer
Construction Documentation
Permitting & City Review
Material Procurement

Estimated Time Frame: 6-10 Weeks

05 Contractor Selection

____________________________________

Contractor Pricing & Scheduling
Material Procurement
Construction Start

Estimated Time Frame: 2-4 Weeks

06 Construction Observation as Architects

____________________________________

Coordination with Contractor & Consultation
Project Closeout (if Applicable)

06 Construction as Residential Contractor

____________________________________

Pre-construction Planning & Feasibility
Budgeting, Estimating & Cost Control
Permitting & Code Coordination
Site Preparation & Mobilization
Full Project Management & Supervision
Subcontractor Sourcing & Coordination
Scheduling & Timeline Management
Construction Execution ( Ground-Up, Additions, Renovations)
Quality Control & Inspection
Change Order Management
Safety Management
Punch List & Project Closeout
Warranty & Post-Construction Support

Estimated Time Frame: Duration of Construction

Architectural Design Process

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INITIAL DESIGN QUESTIONNAIRE

Please complete this brief intake form so we can understand your project before our first consultation to better assess feasibility and next steps.

OUR CAPABILITIES

Architectural Design _____________________________

Architectural Design _____________________________

Architectural Design _____________________________

Interior Design _____________________________

Architectural Design _____________________________

Architectural Design _____________________________

Construction Administration _____________________________

General Residential Construction _____________________________

General Residential Construction _____________________________

General Residential Construction _____________________________

General Residential Construction _____________________________

General Residential Construction _____________________________

OUR SERVICES

New Home Construction ____________________________

Home Renovations & Additions ____________________________

Accessory Dwelling Units ____________________________

Accessory Dwelling Units ____________________________

Accessory Dwelling Units ____________________________

Commercial Interiors (T.I) ____________________________

Accessory Dwelling Units ____________________________

Accessory Dwelling Units ____________________________

OUR SERVICES

New Home Construction ____________________________

Home Renovations & Additions ____________________________

Accessory Dwelling Units ____________________________

Accessory Dwelling Units ____________________________

Accessory Dwelling Units ____________________________

Commercial Interiors (T.I) ____________________________

Accessory Dwelling Units ____________________________

Accessory Dwelling Units ____________________________

Our ADU Units

The Studio Core

The Studio Core

The Studio Core

The Urban One

The Studio Core

The Studio Core

The Flex House

The Loft Garage

The Loft Garage

The Loft Garage

The Loft Garage

The Loft Garage

CHOOSE YOUR PLAN

We create turnkey ADUs in Charlotte, handling feasibility, design, permitting, construction, and completion under one team.

what is an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)

The ADU Process

THE NEW HOME CONSTRUCTION PHASES

The Remodel Phases