In order to achieve the best possible design, a project MUST be developed through separate phases described below. After a contract is signed and a retainer fee is collected, design services are then scheduled to commence.

Phase 1. Pre-Design 

In this phase, the design "program" is established collaboratively between the client and KPS Design. The program is simply an itemized list of requirements for the project, including the following:(required spaces, rooms, material preferences,aesthetic preferences,lifestyle concerns, minimum square footage requirements,number of stories,etc.) The client must provide KPS Design a site survey drawing sealed by a licensed land surveyor so a site analysis can be properly performed; the site survey drawing may require topographic contour lines if the site is NOT relatively flat.This is also the time for the client to release any pictures,drawings,sketches or magazine clippings that are relevant to the project program. 

The feasibility of your project is then examined by comparing your program with the construction budget and the site. If the site and/or construction budget is incompatible with the program then the program must be significantly modified before proceeding to phase 2. Some design firms neglect to perform these Pre-design services prior to rendering schematic design services and the result is typically devastating to the project.They think it is safe to either omit the pre-design phase entirely or to render pre-design services while they are simultaneously rendering schematic design services.The client's expectations for their dream home cannot be reasonably met if the program and construction budget are not established BEFORE schematic design commences.  

Phase 2. Schematic Design

This phase is the exciting exploration of creative ideas for the client's project and dream home!

During this phase, overall design concepts for the project are creatively generated. After the concepts are generated, preliminary floor plan and front exterior elevation drawings are produced. A preliminary site plan is also produced. Other conceptual drawings,such as 3D illustrations or perspective drawings, may be produced at the artistic discretion of KPS Design. After these drawings are produced, a meeting is scheduled for the client to review them with KPS Design. At this meeting, the client critiques the drawings and determines which set of drawings they like the best. After the favorite drawings are selected, work is then scheduled to commence on phase 3.

Phase 3. Design Development

In this phase, the favorite drawings the client selected from phase 2 are developed further. The additional exterior elevation drawings are produced along with a preliminary roof plan. A mechanical system is selected and additional details may also be provided. Once these additional drawings are completed a meeting is scheduled for the client to review them with KPS Design. At this time, the client may elect to bring a licensed general contractor to the meeting in order to obtain preliminary construction "pricing". A builder's financial input at this phase is optional but highly recommended. After the client approves the drawings in this phase, work is then scheduled to commence on phase 4.

Phase 4. Construction Documents 

Ideally, all design decisions have been made in the previous phases in order to allow efficient production of the construction documents in phase 4.

In this phase, all of the technical construction drawings required to build the client's project are produced. Appropriate drawings will be sealed by a licensed structural engineer and all drawings will be on 24" x 36" sheets.The construction documents serve as a "description" of the proposed construction, however, they shall NOT serve as "directions" on how to construct the project. Means and methods of construction are the sole responsibility of the general contractor. Design changes in this phase will affect many drawings and possibly affect the engineer's work as well. Therefore, additional design fees are incurrred and the schedule may also need to be extended IF the client chooses to make design changes in this final phase.