Unless you already have a complete set of house plans, you may begin with a design agreement, also called a pre-construction or professional services agreement. This document defines the working relationship between you and your design team. A design agreement does not commit you to build the home, but describes the steps followed to create your home plans.

Typically, three phases are covered in a design agreement: design schematics, preliminary design, and working drawings.  You review  each phase of the work and discuss desired refinements. Each phase may require several meetings. Between meetings you make choices, list questions, and continue to imagine your new home!

Design Schematics
The design process beings with rough sketches called schematics usually drawn at 1/8" scale. Each 1/8" represents a foot; a wall that will be 8 feet long is 1 inch long on the sketches. These drawings show the style, size, and layout of the home you want. Sketches show how the home fits on the lot and suggest elevations (exterior design).

Preliminary Design
Incorporating your comments about the schematic design, the design team redraws the home, typically at 1/4" scale. These larger drawings show more detail in both floor plan and elevations. Meetings include discussion of materials and their relative costs.

Working Drawings
These plans include fully dimensioned drawings and details required for the building permit. Besides the floor plans and elevations, working drawings include a foundation plan, electrical details, cabinet layouts, and framing layouts for floors, walls, and roof. Using these, the builder can obtain prices from trades and suppliers to develop a budget. The design agreement also lists the cost and payment schedule for each step of this process and identifies who owns the completed plans and who will pay for services of outside professionals such as an engineer.

next >