How We Actually Work
There's no cookie-cutter approach here. Every site's different, every client's got their own vision. But after years of doing this, we've developed a process that keeps projects on track without feeling rigid.
Initial Site Visit & Chat
We come out, walk the property with you, talk about what you're thinking. Sometimes what looks good on paper doesn't make sense when you're standing there looking at the view and feeling the wind. This conversation shapes everything that comes after.
Research & Due Diligence
We dig into the boring but critical stuff - permits, environmental regs, soil reports, setback requirements. Better to find out now if there's a protected bird species nesting nearby than after you've started construction.
Conceptual Design Development
This is where we start sketching and modeling. We'll show you a few different directions, talk through pros and cons of each. Some clients know exactly what they want, others need to see options to figure it out. Both approaches work fine.
Detailed Design & Engineering
Once you're happy with the concept, we get into the nitty-gritty. Structural calculations, mechanical systems, material specs, construction details. This is what contractors actually use to build, so it's gotta be thorough and clear.
Permit Coordination & Approvals
We handle the back-and-forth with municipal authorities, answer their questions, make whatever tweaks they need. Waterfront projects often require extra scrutiny, so having someone who speaks "building department" helps move things along.
Construction Administration
We don't just hand off drawings and disappear. Regular site visits, contractor questions, material substitutions, field changes - we're involved to make sure what gets built matches what we designed and meets our standards.
