The best path to a successful project starts with detailed and realistic understanding of all the components and their costs. To follow this best path, most people will need advice on all five of the components described below.
Ideally, this advice would come from one person who understands the “interconnectedness” of everything and has a broad knowledge of and experience with all of these factors.
1) The Site.
Having lived and worked in Arizona (specifically Paradise Valley and Scottsdale) for nearly 50 years, I know the area very well, including neighborhoods, property values, schools, thoroughfares, and amenities. I have significant experience in the geology and drainage, solar and climate factors, and zoning and building codes. Add to this, extensive experience with difficult excavation and demolition, and the vision required to evaluate if a site can support the customers wishes.
"Develop intuitive judgement and understanding of everything"
~ Miyamoto Musashi
2) The Design Team.
Typically involved at the start, I have created the conceptual designs, including the style, floorplan, and site plans, for over 20 houses in Paradise Valley and Scottsdale. I then work with architects to create finished plans and then build the house. I have, of course, built houses designed by others; I am a team player. In addition, to design, I provide early and on-going cost analysis, and, support on technical questions, utilities, methods, and materials.
3) The Style.
A big believer in architectural diversity and personal expression, I want to build the house the customer wants. Be it any style, I will endeavor to make the house strong, durable, functional, and true to the style selected. That said, I have studied and visited important architecture in many countries, and, I bring a lot of design knowledge to any project. A believer in Contextualism, I am especially versed in styles suited to our environment.
4) The Budget.
This starts with a carefully derived and specific (35-40) line item preliminary budget that allows everyone to have a detailed understanding of the project, before they start designing, let alone building. Avoiding dollar-per-foot estimates, that are a bit like pricing cars by the tire, this budget anticipates all project costs, permits, the structure and the myriad of systems, finishes, and fixtures. This is not a house that will be produced en masse, but a unique home, built as cost-efficiently as possible.
“Amateurs study tactics…professionals study logistics”
~ William Crozier
5) The Construction.
Custom homes built nowadays are amazing; the quality of construction, components, attention to details and amenities are staggering when compared to houses built only 25 years ago. The other side of this coin, is they are not easy, and the builder needs to listen, explain, adapt, and, most of all, be friendly throughout the process. Communication skills, planning, and experience are vital, but nothing says it can’t be fun too.
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