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Our Custom Design schedule for new designs is such that we can start new designs
in mid August 2008. When you send in your completed Custom Design Questionnaire
information, we hold it along with your check while we place you in our schedule.
This would most likely mean a construction start no sooner than winter 2008
based on the minimum amount of preplanning that most of our clients need and
a minimum custom design time of 4 months (usually longer if it overlaps our
busy spring schedule). A later construction date is more likely and we've found
that our clients with the best (or certainly the least stressful!) experiences
start the design about a year ahead of construction time.
The process for new Custom Design is completely different from the process
for Custom Changes to a pre-designed plan. The latter can often be accomplished
locally with designers, draftsman, and engineers from our CAD files. Be sure
to get them involved early in the house plan selection process. Go to Custom
Changes.
The above images and even this download are just small sampling of our newly
evolving 3D design services. We can also send various movie clips of your house
inside and out based on the types of spaces and angles that you would like to
see including how the sun cast light and shadows both inside and out.
(Click here to see an example of 3D fixed images. It's a 7.5 MB PDF download.)
If there is not a local architect with passive solar experience in your area,
we can work with you via the internet to provide custom home design, and in
fact, this has become our primary business. Sun Plans can design a home just
for you that includes everything you've always wanted. Debra Rucker Coleman,
AIA, Architect will assist you in turning your dreams into reality. You will
work directly with her in the initial stage of the design process. We have been
doing internet-based design since 2000. The Custom Design Questionnaire comes
with a list of references. Since most of our clients are also somewhat budget-minded,
we have come up with a limited-service custom design process for our Internet-based
design. Click
here to see statements that we have received from our custom design clients.
(One important note: We do NOT provide review and consulting on drawings and
designs by owners or design professionals although you are free to include simple
sketches and ideas that you may have as part of our custom design process. )
Custom design is for those who are not willing to settle for an existing house
plan that was designed for someone else. It is for those of you appreciate custom
touches in many things you do. Our custom design clients know that proper orientation
to the sun and placement on the land and will add quality to their lives. Custom
homes can be simple and economical, complex and expensive, or anywhere in between.
We can start from scratch, from photos and parts of houses you already like.
We offer various levels of custom design.
There are a few prerequisites prior to beginning Custom Design:
1) Read our book, esp. the chapter on working with architects
2) Send us a brief summary of your ideas and time frame, and request the Custom
Design Questionnaire. (Free if you've bought the book directly from us), $35
otherwise payable through the custom
payment link. Can be later deducted from $495 review fee.)
3) Complete the approx. 20 page Custom Design Questionnaire and send it in in
with any other information and the $495 fee for the consulting and review of
your ideas . (Some people just fill in the form, others send a complete notebook
of ideas. It's up to you. We tailor the process to each client.)
After you have completed #1, you should be able to tell if our services and
design style are something you are interested in. After we have completed #3,
we can usually tell if we are a good client/architect match. If one or the other
of us decides not, then you still have the information we provide you with from
the review to assist you in obtaining a plan or design from someone else.
Although our clients come to us because of our expertise in passive solar design,
they also usually have at least one other lifestyle, design, or site requirement
that causes some compromise with passive solar performance. Holistic house design
recognizes the other elements that are important in a comfortable home, and
takes them all into consideration during the design process.
People have asked how we can afford to offer a design service that seems to
be much less than typical architectural fees. In summary the Internet-based
design services are limited as follows to keep them cost effective:
- Schematic Design is limited to one option with sketches
of the floor plans and front elevation.
- Preliminary CAD Design includes a minimum of the floor
plans (showing your furniture), one or two elevations
- 3D drawings of the inside and out including fixed PDF of view and
rotatable models for viewing in free software. See link above for 3D download.
- Construction Drawings typically include 10 to 16 sheets,
as well as Custom Energy Recommendations and Specs.
- Additional Services required or requested after the drawings
are completed are billed as extras. Although our designs are completed with
awareness of general residential building codes, you still need to have the
drawings reviewed by your local building inspection department for conformance
to local codes. We also strongly recommend a local structural engineer review
the plans, especially if you are in an area with high winds, earthquake activity,
high snow loads, or unstable soils. We have a very good consutling structural
engineer with residential experience in the event that you can not locate
one.
More
information on our Custom Design services:
Sun Plans is a licensed architectural firm in Alabama. In other states, we
must provide "design" services instead of "architectural"
services. This is seldom a problem as it is not usually necessary to have a
state-licensed architect design a house. However, sometimes building codes and
subdivisions require that a state-licensed architect or engineer prepare the
house plans. Please check with your local building inspection department or
protective covenants that may come with your land for these requirements. 
The contents of this site are copyright © 2002-2008 Sun Plans Inc.
All Rights Reserved. This material may not be reproduced or redistributed
without prior written permission. Please contact us for permission to
use or modify our designs and information. Thanks!
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