How we work
A design agreement first. A build agreement second.
Design is its own piece of work, with its own fee and its own end: a set of documents you can hold.
Only then is there something real to price. The build agreement is written against the finished drawings, so the price describes the house you chose. You can stop between the two. Starting to design does not commit you to building.
Why two agreements
Design is agreed, scoped and signed on its own
The drawings and specifications are yours at the end
The build agreement is written from finished drawings
You decide at the line between them, with the full picture
Agreement one
The design agreement, stage by stage
From the first visit to the last drawing. Each stage ends with something on paper.
| Stage | Us | You leave with | You |
|---|---|---|---|
| Survey and brief | UsMeasure the house and the land, and write down what we heard | You leave withA measured survey and a written brief | YouShow us the house, and tell us what is not working |
| Concept | UsDraw two or three plans and build a model of the one you favor | You leave withA chosen plan, with the reasons beside it | YouChoose between the options and say what is missing |
| Selections | UsSet out materials, fixtures and hardware room by room | You leave withA selections book for every room | YouVisit the sample table and choose finishes |
| Engineering | UsCoordinate the structural, mechanical and electrical drawings | You leave withDrawings that show how the house stands up | YouReview the structure and the systems in plain words |
| The final set | UsIssue the drawings and specifications, and file for permits | You leave withA full set of documents that are yours to keep | YouRead it, question it and sign it off |
Agreement two
The build agreement, stage by stage
Written only once the drawings are finished. Each stage says who does what and what you can hold us to.
| Stage | Us | You leave with | You |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price and schedule | UsPrice the finished drawings and write the weeks in | You leave withA build agreement, line by line | YouRead the scope, the allowances and the schedule |
| Preparation | UsProtect floors and furniture, set dust walls, order what has a long wait | You leave withA site that is ready on day one | YouDecide where you will be during the work |
| Construction | UsBuild the house, and photograph each stage before it is covered | You leave withA weekly note and photographs of what is in the walls | YouMeet weekly, and make the decisions that come up |
| Changes | UsWrite the change down, with its schedule and price effect, before building it | You leave withA signed page for every change | YouAsk for what you want to change, at any point |
| Handover | UsFinish the punch list, then hand over the records and the terms for repairs after handover | You leave withThe house, and a binder of how it was built | YouWalk the house with us, room by room |
Week one on site
What happens in the first week of building
Before the first wall comes down, the house is protected. This is the order we do it in, and who is there.
- 01
Step 1: Monday: we protect the house
Reza Hamdan, the site superintendent, lays floor protection along a clean route, masks doors and sets dust walls. Nothing is opened until this is done.
- 02
Step 2: Tuesday: we shut off and mark
We shut off the water and power to the work area only, mark what stays and what goes, and photograph every wall before it is touched.
- 03
Step 3: Wednesday: we walk it with you
Jing Cheung, your project lead, walks the site with you. You see the layout marked out in tape, and tell us what feels wrong while it is cheap to change.
- 04
Step 4: Thursday: demolition begins
Careful work, by hand where the house asks for it. What is found behind the walls is photographed and sent to you the same day.
- 05
Step 5: Friday: the first weekly meeting
We go through what was found, what was decided and what comes next week. You get it in writing by that evening.
Next step
Start with a conversation.
Nothing is signed at the first one. We talk about the house, and whether we are the right firm for it.