Frequently asked drafting & design questions
What is your design process like?
After years working with homeowners I (Stephen) have found one thing to be true 100% of the time. Everyone is unique. Your home, your budget, your vision and values; all of them are unique to you. At Drafting & Design of East TN, being small has a big advantage, and that is the value I place on getting to know each owner and project well enough to lead the design in this unique direction. I also value the hard work you have already done before you have reached out to us. I want and need to hear the story and the inspiration that brought you to this exciting decision to build!
How are your fees calculated?
There are a few typical ways fees are calculated in the architectural industry. (By heated sq.ft., or area under roof, or percentage of the estimated overall project cost.) These methods are quick and easy to use but I have found that they are not accurate or fair. We spend the time to get to know you and the details of your project during the interview process so that you get the best price possible. Each proposal is carefully crafted to match your needs so that you are not paying for plans or services you do not need.
How long will it take to design my renovation?
For smaller projects, reconfiguring a bathroom, for example, drafting can take as little as a week or two. For a moderate project, most will spend 2-3 months working with me on plan variations, details, and construction drawings. For more complex projects, it can take 4-6 months of design & drafting time but this is rare and often other factors are at play in the process like budget restraints, unknown site conditions or review board requirements. It often depends on the scope, the level of detail you need, and how quickly decisions are made.
Can you help me find a general contractor?
Yes.I can help you build a list of contractors, check references and licenses, and provide input to decide which team is the best fit for your job. If you already have a contractor selected we would love to work with them. I actually recommend a contractor's budget insights after preliminary drawings have been created. The worst outcome would be to have drawn your dream and find out that it is outside of your budget.
Do you work remotely?
Yes. Most of our/my service area is in and around Knoxville, TN. But I’ve done many out-of-state projects and would be happy to discuss these opportunities with you.
Are you involved during construction?
Yes, if needed. At the hourly rate, our construction assistance ranges from as-needed input (texting photos or calls with questions) to weekly job site visits or checking in on progress while may be out of town. Remodels may need help because demolition can sometimes uncover surprises behind the walls. If this happens, we can redraw a solution to work around the obstacles.
Are you a firm or an individual contractor?
Drafting & Design of East Tennessee has one employee/owner, Stephen Shales, but I am built around a network of trusted professional relationships that have been cultivated over the years. This allows me to scale my services up and down based on the project's needs and complexity.
