Frequently Asked Questions

1. What information do we need to provide QHD before we start our custom home design?
   
   
2. How effective is communicating by fax, e-mail and phone when designing our new home?
   
   
3. How does the design process work?
   
   
4. How much do you charge for your design services?
   
   
5. What drawings are included?
   
   
6. We're not sure how we want our master bathroom designed. Can you help or do we have to provide you with the exact layout?
   
   
7. We have a budget in mind for our home. Can you design a home that will stay within that budget?
   
   

Question 1:   What information do we need to provide QHD before we start our custom home design?

Answer:   There are several pieces of information that QHD needs before starting the design of your new home. These are listed in the Dream Home Questionnaire that is completed at the initial part of the partnering process. One of the keys to building a new home is organization and this starts right at the design process. If there are items in the Dream Home Questionnaire that you haven't thought about, take time and review them. The goal is to have as much of the questionnaire completed as possible before submitting it to QHD. The more organized you are the more quickly and efficiently your custom home design can be completed. QHD will be glad to answer any questions you may have to help you through the design process.

Question 2:   How effective is communicating by phone, fax and e-mail when designing our new home?

Answer:   We have found that communicating by phone, fax and e-mail is a very successful and efficient way of partnering with our long distance clients. Clients can receive faxed copies of their plans for review and can discuss their project via e-mail or phone at their convenience. Of course, clients are welcome to come to our office to discuss their project in person.

Question 3:   How does the design process work?

Answer:   Typically our clients will fax us their completed Dream Home Questionnaire along with a sketch of their floor plan. QHD will then contact the client and discuss their project in detail, obtaining all the information necessary to begin the conceptual design for their new home. After receipt of the down payment, QHD will begin the Conceptual Design by completing and submitting the conceptual floor plans and elevations for the clients review either by fax, mail or in person. Usually the client will have several changes to the conceptual drawings and will mark these changes for QHD. It is common for clients to have several sets of changes during this preliminary design process. Upon the clients approval of the Conceptual Design, QHD will begin the Comprehensive Design phase. This phase takes the conceptual drawings and transforms them into complete construction drawings for your builder.

Question 4:   How much do you charge for your design services?

Answer:   We charge separately for our conceptual and comprehensive design services. We charge a flat fee of $700 for our Conceptual Design services and a square foot price for our Comprehensive Design. For example, a 2000 square foot home would cost $700 for the conceptual design plus $2100 for a Level 2 Comprehensive Design and would equal $2800 for the entire custom home design.

Question 5:   What drawings are included?

Answer:   The Conceptual Design phase includes the main floor plan, second floor plan (if applicable) and all 4 elevation views of your new home.

The Comprehensive Design phase is divided into 3 detail levels that include different drawings for each level. For a complete listing of the drawings included for each detail level please refer to the Comprehensive Design section of this web site.

Question 6:   We're not sure how we want our master bathroom designed. Can you help or do we have to provide you with the exact layout?

Answer:   Yes, we can help. You can rely on us to provide you with ideas and suggestions. Upon request, QHD can provide several floor plan options.

Question 7:   We have a budget in mind for our home. Can you design a home that will stay within that budget?

Answer:   QHD has experience building homes as well as designing them and knows what current material and labor costs are. We can let you know if the dream home you have in mind is within your budget.