Encounter a seamless experience with expert guidance, attentive listening, and visionary yet pragmatic thinking.
Ever try to navigate somewhere without a map?
If you did manage to arrive, chances are you were feeling frustrated, anxious, or running a bit late (or all of the above). It doesn’t usually turn out well.
That’s why we have a clear and concise path that takes you from choosing custom design to completed construction drawings. We’ve used our design process for thousands of homes and it’s proven to be effective and efficient time and again. Here is what you can expect when you team with Willson Design to design your home!
(We are ready to meet with you to share all the nitty gritty details of our process and answer as many of your questions, as well as discuss timeline and budget specifics for your project.)
Phase 1: Exploration and Discovery MEET, DREAM, EXPLORE TOGETHER, RESEARCH
At Willson Design, every new project starts with a friendly meet and greet so we can all become acquainted and make sure we’re a good fit. Our extensive design questionnaire captures your wishlist and helps draw out important ideas and needs you have yet to consider. Once we understand your needs and project scope, we’ll brainstorm together with rough sketches, Pinterest boards and saved Instagram inspo, as well as go through due diligence with researching zoning bylaws, site analysis, and inquiries with city officials.
At the end of this phase we want you to be excited about the shared vision of how your new home will come together. You should feel heard, understood and valued by our team of designers.
Phase 2: Layout and Exterior Design PRELIMINARY FLOOR PLANS, FEEDBACK, REVISIONS, 3D MODELLING
This is where it gets fun! Your wishlist is transformed into a preliminary floor plan to establish layout and flow of the home. Your designer will present it to you in person and you’ll get to take home your first printed copy to review. Based on your feedback, we’ll modify the floor plans until they’re just right..
Once the inside is finalized we repeat the same process with the exterior design. Several visualization tools can be used to help our clients clearly envision their home including exterior elevations, 3D views, photorealistic colored rendering, interior vie4ws, fly-arounds, walk-throughs, and even 3D printed models.
At the end of this phase, you’ll have a very clear picture of how your home will look on the inside and outside.
Phase 3: Details WORKING DRAWINGS, REVIEW, FINISHED PRODUCT
This is where we really roll up our sleeves and add the “guts” to your home that make it buildable and permit ready. Call us meticulous but we do a comprehensive check of the plans two or three times to ensure accurate estimates by your trades and fewer mistakes during construction down the road.
At the end of this phase, you will have your final plans printed and in your hand ready to pass off to your Builder to apply for permits and start construction soon after.
IN CASE YOU’RE CURIOUS Design Process FAQs
Our design process typically spans 1 - 6 months, allowing for a comprehensive exploration of your wants and needs. Please note that timelines may vary depending on project intricacies, client modifications, and other factors. Check out our Custom Homes and Renovation pages for more details on timeline estimates for these projects.
Collaboration is at the heart of our design process. We start by having you complete our comprehensive design questionnaire followed by a joint exploration of visual inspiration materials. Our collaboration extends through feedback sessions as we work together on preliminary concept drawings. This interactive approach ensures your vision is fully understood and becomes an integral part of the design evolution.
There are several visual tools that we can use to model and visualise your project. These include exterior elevations, 3D views, photorealistic coloured renderings, interior views, fly-arounds, walk-throughs, and even 3D printed models.
We prioritize transparent and thoughtful budget considerations throughout the design phase. Before initiating the design process, we engage in detailed discussions about the construction budget. This allows us to gauge preferences regarding finishes, materials, and style. During the design phase, we remain acutely aware of budget constraints, considering factors like construction methods, complexity, floor and beam spans, window sizes, and roof design. Our commitment is to create a design that aligns seamlessly with your vision while respecting your financial parameters.
Modifications to the initial preliminary design are not only expected but encouraged, as they are integral to refining and perfecting the vision for your home. This stage is your opportunity to provide valuable input, make any necessary tweaks, and ensure the final design aligns precisely with your expectations.
While we are flexible and open to modifications at any stage, it's important to note that major changes, as we progress further in the design process, may impact the timeline and final cost.
We maintain close collaborations with a network of skilled engineers and consultants. While we don't have in-house engineering, we can connect you with several trusted engineers to ensure that your project receives the specialized expertise it deserves.
The building permit application is typically made by your Builder. Depending on the municipality there can be additional required paperwork from us which we will provide. Rest assured, we want to help streamline the permit acquisition journey so you can have a smooth and efficient experience starting construction.
Yes! You will work directly with your Home Designer throughout the project. There is no hand off after the initial design concepts. You can expect frequent email and/or phone communication with them - we’ve even been known to brainstorm through Instagram DM’s! We have a great team of Technicians and Admin staff who can help support you along the way as well.
Still have questions that we haven't answered yet? Send us a message and we'd be happy to help!
Like Our Design Process and Approach? Tips to get the ball rolling on your new project
If our Design Process resonates with you, here are some ways you can start preparing now to make the process with us as smooth, fun and successful as possible!
- Move your wishlist from mind to paper. This is particularly important if you are designing your dream home with a partner - make sure that you are on the same page! If it's a multi-generational home this becomes even more critical as there are more needs to consider. Our Portfolio is another helpful place to start!
- Gather inspiration and be prepared to share some ideas with us that you love. Try Pinterest, Houzz, Instagram, and drive through neighboring communities. It's equally helpful for us to know what you definitly do not like - everyone is entitled to their own likes and dislikes.
- Set realistic expectations for your construction budget. Your builder can help in the early stages (before you have blueprints) set you on the right track in terms of finances. They have a deep understanding of current constructions costs and we'll work together with them to make sure that your wish lists matches your budget.
- Decide when you want to begin construction. Once it's decided, work backwards on the calendar to account for building permit wait times. Inquire with your local Building Department to get a realistic estimate and connect with us now so that you don't lose time or feel rushed through the design process.
Committed to quality plans, style that 'wows', and a design experience that's smooth and enjoyable.
(NO PRESSURE, NO EGOS, JUST GOOD IDEAS)
