One of the most important aspects of our relationship with our clients is the confidence they have with us throughout the entire design and building process.  Beginning with the first conversation, we want the process of collaboration to be as transparent and as understandable as we can possibly make it. It is our intention that – if you become a client – you feel informed, confident, and knowledgeable throughout the entire project. Our goal is to orchestrate a design and building process that you will look back on fondly as a rich and fulfilling experience.

We use the latest three-dimensional architectural computer technology that allows us, throughout the entire design and construction process, to create as many perspectives, walk-throughs, etc. as may be necessary for you and the contractor to fully understand the design intent. Most other architectural firms still work in two dimensional images and charge extra for 3D images. We have found the 3D imaging process is an invaluable tool for our clients to fully understand the building; hence we provide this for no additional charge.

We first meet with you in a relaxed, informal way to gather information about you and the site you have chosen.  We’ll ask you about both tangible and intangible aspects of the project – character (the feel of the house, size, quality, schedule and budget.

Next, in the Schematic Design phase we begin the creative part of the process. We’ll create a site plan, floor plans, exterior elevations, 3D renderings and/or models and a preliminary description of the various finishes and materials – floors, walls, ceilings, exterior, roof, etc.

In the next phase, Design Development, we’ll create more detailed drawings, including a roof plan, and interior elevations.  There’ll be more 3D images to give you a “feel” for what the design is going to be like, including more detail about the finishes and materials.  We can now submit this information to contractor(s), so they can provide a preliminary estimate of the cost.

The Construction Document phase for us is the most detail-oriented part of our services to you.  Although some architectural firms may hand off to the builder a complete set of plans of as few as 10 or 12 sheets, for us a set of plans that contains 50 to 60 sheets is not unusual, plus a project manual for your house that details all construction requirements.  We want to be sure that every detail of your project will reflect your vision as accurately as possible, even down to the exact placement of the wall outlets and light switches. 

After the Construction Document phase, even though the fully detailed plans have now been completed and given to your builder, we at Archaeo still have 25% of our work ahead of us.  During this stage we will provide oversight of the construction process by collaborating with your contractor at the construction site.  We want to make sure that your project is an exact translation of the design you and Archaeo have created.

After construction has been completed and the contractor is about to pack up and leave the premises, Archaeo goes through the entire house from top to bottom, inspecting everything! At the end of this tour, we will create what’s called a “punch list” (a list of corrections for the builder) that can run numerous pages of items that need to be modified, fixed or replaced. You can now move in, but for us it’s still not over.

Eleven months from the date construction is finished, Archaeo will arrive one more time to go over everything room by room with a fine-tooth comb.  This time, we make sure that anything that falls within your 12-month guarantee can be repaired or replaced while your warranty is still in effect.

Archaeo’s fee structure is a little unusual, though not unheard of.  We charge a flat fee for design based solely on the final square footage, plus a straight hourly fee for construction administration.  In contrast, many other architects base their fee as a percentage of the total cost of the finished project, including building materials, construction administration and contractors’ fees. We feel that our fee structure gives you more control over fees, more predictability in payments and it protects you during construction from circumstances beyond your control (such as sudden price increases in the cost of materials).