Pre-Design is the Discovery, Testing and Exploring Options Phase of a Project.
Just like how you go to a doctor to address an issue. You discuss the problem, they ask questions, run tests and then discuss possible options before prescribing a cure. It’s the same with architecture. Before you’re “prescribed” construction documents, architects do a level of discovery and testing to determine what you need.
Skipping Pre-Design Can Cost You Time and Money.
What happens when this phase is not given the proper time and due diligence it deserves?
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You get an inappropriate design.
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You don’t get the time to understand if a design is really what you wanted.
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You don’t get to explore as many options (or any in some cases).
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The architect misses opportunities for giving you better value for your money.
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The architect misses jurisdictional requirements and creates a change order.
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You get the documents but you don’t really know what they mean.
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You might be given a more costly design when a lesser cost would be just as fine.
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Or you might be given a standard design when a customized detail is what’s really needed.
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And so on, so forth.
Proper Due Diligence Gives You the Ability to Move Forward with Confidence.
Doing Pre-Design ensures that the right questions are being asked and the right solutions are being prescribed. In my practice, I pull this out as three separate, standard priced phases:
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Feasibility Study - Basically answering, “what is allowed?”
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Vision Package - “What are the possibilities?”
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Conceptual Design Package - “What could it look like?”
Each phase ends with a document clearly outlining various aspects of the project and a meeting that discusses it where you can ask questions so you can get a thorough understanding of your project.
You’re going to pay about 5% to 20% of construction costs for design… shouldn’t you make sure it’s the right solution for you first?
