In the Feasibility & Discovery phase, we will answer the two big questions: “Can we build it?” and “Should we build it?” This standalone phase provides the data you need to move forward with confidence – or pivot before overinvesting. Here we are checking site conditions and features, local zoning and code restrictions, site topography, environmental factors, budget-to-scope alignment, and performance opportunities. 

We’ll propose a fixed fee for this phase at the beginning, and a typical fee range is: $2,000-$9,000. Expect this phase to take one to three weeks.

Before we design, we must understand exactly what exists, so we have the Existing Conditions Documentation phase. We often use LiDAR scanning to create an accurate as-built model using Revit/BIM of your existing home and its surroundings.

We’ll propose a fixed fee for this phase at the beginning, and a typical fee range is: $3,000-$8,000. Expect this phase to take one to three weeks.

Once we have the Existing Conditions Documentation completed, we’ll be ready to jump into the Schematic Design phase. Here we are defining the architectural concept. We translate the program and site data into a clear architectural concept. We focus on building siting, spatial relationships, light, and massing. All of these components are critical for the next steps. Here we define the scale and scope of the project.

In SD, we’ll propose a fixed fee for this phase at the beginning and will outline the number of major revisions and meetings built into that. Beyond that, we’ll notify you that we transition to an hourly rate. It’s rare to need to work hourly here because often we’re able to help define the scope and move forward, but sometimes folks just aren’t ready to settle on an idea. The deliverables for SD are schematic floor plans, some schematic 3D views, and sometimes an initial energy model to verify Passive House efficiency targets.

We’ll propose a fixed fee for this phase at the beginning, and a typical fee range is: 1-2% of construction costs. Expect this phase to take four to eight weeks, include some meetings, and at the completion we’ll negotiate the next steps (see below) and get an approval before proceeding. This is a ‘hard lock’ on the design and major revisions beyond are at an hourly rate.

The Construction Documents are the instruction manual for your home, where the concept becomes a buildable reality. They include drawings and specifications. We transition from shapes to refined systems, creating the detailed technical drawings and architectural specifications your builder needs to realize the design. Unlike code-minimum plan sets, our CDs detail the critical air barriers, vapor control layers, thermal bridge mitigation, and mechanical penetrations required for healthy, comfortable, long-lasting performance.

This fee for this phase will be provided as a range from the beginning but at the completion of SD, we’ll firm this up to a specific value. The typical fee range for this phase: 6-12% of construction cost. Expect this phase to take 4-8 weeks

A high-performance design only succeeds if executed with precision in the field. During construction, we serve as your technical advocate and a collaborative partner to your builder. We answer requests for information (RFIs), review material submittals, and conduct critical milestone site inspections—ensuring the airtight envelope, continuous insulation, and mechanical details are installed exactly as engineered before they are covered up.

We will suggest an allowance for this prior to beginning, but this is always performed hourly because we have no control over what level of assistance is needed by you or the builder. We will only bill for the time spent. This can vary wildly, but a typical fee range for this phase: 2-5% of construction cost. And again, we only bill for the time spent.

Don’t know where to begin? Just need an expert to bounce some thoughts off of? Maybe you’re not ready to dive into a full design package, and that is okay!

For this we suggest that we provide consulting at an hourly rate: $300/hour.