FAQ
- How should I go about
selecting my residential architect?
You should choose your architect much
as you would choose a physician or a lawyer. Check their reputation
and references certainly, but be sure to interview them personally
as well. Custom home design is a very personal experience and
you must be sure that the person you select will really listen
to your needs and desires, and will help you design the home
of your dreams, not theirs. You will be spending quite a bit
of time with your architect and will be sharing important parts
of your life with them. Be sure that you like, and trust
them. Professional qualifications are very important but "bedside
manner" may be equally critical.
- How much will it cost
to design a custom home?
Many factors must be considered in
setting the fees for a custom home, including, the difficulty
of the site, the size of the home, the complexity of the program
etc. Please contact us so that we
may ask all of the questions needed to quote you a precise fee.
- How much will it cost
to build a custom home?
Construction costs vary due to dozens
of factors in a custom home design. The exterior materials, the
number of floors, the site, the interior finishes, the area of
the country, the complexity of the design and the structural
and mechanical systems used are only a few of the factors that
influence the cost of constructing a custom home. Beware of anyone
who will quote you construction costs for a home before they
know a great deal about you and your home's design.
- How can we be sure
our custom home design can be built for our budget?
TKP works closely with experienced
custom homebuilders and contractors during the design of your
home, partnering with them to provide estimating for ongoing
cost control and for advice on construction efficiency during
the design process. We are happy to work with the builder of
your choice, to help you select a qualified builder, or to refer
you to someone we have worked well with in the past.
- How do we start the
process of designing a custom home?
First, call us. (303 278-8840) We will
talk you through the entire process and it is our job to help
you with all the decisions that must be made while designing
your home. We can tell you what decisions need to be made at
what time and you can be as involved or as uninvolved as you
wish in the process. We work very successfully with clients who
are not in the same place as their architect, or often, their
building site. E-mail, fax, and conference calls allow us to
keep our clients informed and involved in the entire design process
even from a distance.
- Will I need the services
of other professionals besides my architect?
Yes. A structural engineer is required
for homes in most parts of the country. TKP has an in-house structural
engineer to best coordinate the architectural and structural
design of your home. An interior designer may, or may not, be
required to finish your dream home. However, most people find
the services of an interior designer to be invaluable during
the design process. On larger luxury custom homes the need for
careful integration of everything from fabrics to floors usually
requires the services of an experienced and sensitive interior
designer. TKP can recommend an interior designer, or
will be happy to coordinate with the designer of your choice.
Landscape architects, lighting designers, mechanical engineers,
surveyors, soils engineers, pool consultants, audio/visual consultants,
and kitchen designers are some of the other consultants often
brought into the team on a luxury custom home. Your architect
acts as the team leader, orchestrating the consultants and the
builder to achieve the maximum in creativity and enthusiasm from
everyone involved in your home design.
- Should I have my site
selected before I begin working with an architect?
In general, yes. However, TKP can assist
with site selection for those people who have a strong vision
for their home design, and are not sure which site might best
fits their needs. The best homes are always designed within the
context of a specific site. Orientation, access, views, grade,
surrounding buildings, vegetation etc. are all considered in
the custom home design process.
- How long does the design
and building process take?
This varies based on the size and complexity
of your home design, and factors such as Design Review Boards
and your ability to make timely decisions. Usually, from the
time we begin design to the time we are ready to submit the finished
construction drawings for a building permit is about 5-7 months.
Most of our homes are built in 9-15 months.