Complimentary Intro Call

We begin with a free 20–30 minute phone call to hear more about your goals, get a sense of your property, and share how we work. It’s a chance to see if we’re a good fit for your project and values.

Site Visit / Pre-Design Consultation

Once you're ready to explore next steps, we’ll meet you on site to walk the property, hear your vision in more depth, and offer initial design insight. This paid visit helps us understand the project’s potential and begin identifying key considerations for the design and permitting process. If you continue with full design services, this time rolls right into your feasibility phase.

Feasibility Phase

This phase is all about clarity. We dig into zoning and code research, assess development potential, and study site constraints like wetlands, critical areas, or access. Whether residential or commercial, we use our experience to give you a clear picture of what’s possible—and what it might take to get there. Many of our clients use this phase to make smart, confident decisions before committing to full design.

Schematic Design

With a confirmed scope and direction, we begin shaping your ideas into a conceptual design. This includes floor plan studies, layout options, and early 2D and 3D sketches to explore flow, function, and form. We meet with you to talk through options, answer questions, and refine the design together.

Design Development

Here’s where your project really starts to come to life. We develop a 3D model—digital or physical, depending on what best supports the design and your decision-making. We also start weaving in consultant input—structural, civil, geotechnical, septic, and more as needed—so the design becomes more real and rooted. Through continued collaboration, we refine the design to align with your vision, site realities, and evolving goals.

Construction Documents

We prepare a complete set of permit-ready drawings, coordinated with required consultants. These include site plans, floor plans, elevations, lighting layouts, and code details—everything your contractor and jurisdiction will need to move forward.

Project Management & QA/QC

Throughout the design phases, we manage timelines, team coordination, and quality checks to ensure your drawings are thorough, organized, and aligned with your goals. We believe great communication and internal review make for better projects and smoother construction.

Value Engineering & Scope Refinement

If you choose to adjust scope or budget mid-project, we’ll help you pivot without losing momentum. We collaborate with you (and your builder, if selected) to identify smart changes that preserve quality and vision while staying within cost targets.

Permit Coordination

We handle the building permit submittal process and coordinate with the jurisdiction throughout. Our team responds to comments, provides clarifications as needed, and does our best to keep things moving smoothly through the permitting process.

Bid Support & Contractor Selection

If you’re seeking contractor bids, we can offer guidance, help review proposals, and refer builders we trust—people who build well and communicate clearly.

Construction Phase Support

SDA participates in a pre-construction meeting to support a smooth handoff and answer key questions at the start of the build. We continue to provide support throughout construction, including milestone site visits, contractor coordination, and review of submittals or change orders. Our goal is to help ensure that what’s built reflects the quality, structure, and design excellence we’ve worked hard to develop together.

Interior Design Add-Ons

If you’d like support selecting finishes, lighting, cabinetry, plumbing fixtures, or other interior elements, we’re happy to help. We can tailor this scope based on how much or how little guidance you want.