Frequently Asked Questions
These questions and answers offer a great foundation if you are building a custom home, or embarking on a home remodel or renovation for the first time. They will also give you some insights into Hayes & Associates.
Q: What types of projects do you accept?
A: Our focus is residential architecture and design. We design custom homes, do remodels of all sizes and scopes as well as renovations. We will also design garages, cabanas, outdoor kitchens and other residential outbuildings.
Q: How many projects do you take on at once?
A: It all depends upon the types of projects. Generally, we are able to work on 10-12 projects at a time. Most projects are in various stages of either the design or construction document phases.
Q: In what cities do you accept projects?
A: We will take on projects pretty much anywhere in the greater Bay Area.
Q: Can you explain the architectural process?
A: Of course! We work in two phases, the design phase and the construction, or working document, phase. The design process includes finding our your wants and needs along with your lifestyle. We then create what's called an "As Built", which is the current blueprint of your home. From there we come up with 3 preliminary designs. You can pick and choose elements from each. Then we move into deign development, which pulls all aspects of your chosen elements together.
Once the design is complete, we move onto construction documents. These are what your contractor will use to construct your addition or custom home and what the city planning department will review before granting you permits. These include foundations plans, electro-mechanical plans, roofing plans and the like.
Q: How long will my project take?
A: That all depends upon the complexity of your project. Design and working drawings for a brand new home as well as structural engineering, plan check review and revisions can take upwards of 8 months to a year. A major addition/remodel can be abut the same amount of time while a smaller remodel or addition can take about 6 months. As for construction, that can run anywhere from 8 months to a year or more. You will definitely learn the virtue of patience while undergoing a home addition project!
Q: You mentioned structural engineering. What does a structural engineer do?
A: Structural engineers ensure a building can withstand the stresses and pressures placed upon it by environmental and human use. They ensure buildings remain stable and secure.
Q: What is Title 24?
A: Also called the California Energy Code, Title 24 are energy efficiency standards that each home must meet.
Q: What does green building entail?
A: Green building is the practice of creating structures and using processes that are environmentally responsible and resource-effiecient throughout a building's lifecycle, including design, construction, operation, maintenance, and even renovation.
Q: Will you submit our construction drawings to the city for plan checking and permits?
A: Generally this is not included in the scope of work but if the clients needs this service, we can add it into the contract.
Q: How much do permits costs?
A: It depends upon the city where you reside as well as the square footage being added and/or the remodeling project being undertaken. As an average, most permits cost a few thousand dollars. Also, permits are valid for 6 months. If you do not begin your project within that time, you will have to pay a repermitting fee. We always recommend NOT pulling permits until you know for sure you when will start construction. Also, if you add on more than 500 square feet, there is a one-time school assessment fee of approximately $2,000.
Q: Can you recommend a contractor?
A: Absolutely. We have a number of highly qualified and talented contractors with whom we've worked over the years. We do recommend getting a minimum of 3 bids on your project and finding the contractor who best fits your budget, timeline, and with whom you have a good rapport and sense of trust.
Q: How do you charge?
A: Most projects entail a 2-priong approach: Design and Construction. Each phase has it's own contract that spells out the hourly rate, the estimated time involved and the project parameters. The Design phase typically has a higher hourly rate than the Construction document phase.
Q: What types of projects do you accept?
A: Our focus is residential architecture and design. We design custom homes, do remodels of all sizes and scopes as well as renovations. We will also design garages, cabanas, outdoor kitchens and other residential outbuildings.
Q: How many projects do you take on at once?
A: It all depends upon the types of projects. Generally, we are able to work on 10-12 projects at a time. Most projects are in various stages of either the design or construction document phases.
Q: In what cities do you accept projects?
A: We will take on projects pretty much anywhere in the greater Bay Area.
Q: Can you explain the architectural process?
A: Of course! We work in two phases, the design phase and the construction, or working document, phase. The design process includes finding our your wants and needs along with your lifestyle. We then create what's called an "As Built", which is the current blueprint of your home. From there we come up with 3 preliminary designs. You can pick and choose elements from each. Then we move into deign development, which pulls all aspects of your chosen elements together.
Once the design is complete, we move onto construction documents. These are what your contractor will use to construct your addition or custom home and what the city planning department will review before granting you permits. These include foundations plans, electro-mechanical plans, roofing plans and the like.
Q: How long will my project take?
A: That all depends upon the complexity of your project. Design and working drawings for a brand new home as well as structural engineering, plan check review and revisions can take upwards of 8 months to a year. A major addition/remodel can be abut the same amount of time while a smaller remodel or addition can take about 6 months. As for construction, that can run anywhere from 8 months to a year or more. You will definitely learn the virtue of patience while undergoing a home addition project!
Q: You mentioned structural engineering. What does a structural engineer do?
A: Structural engineers ensure a building can withstand the stresses and pressures placed upon it by environmental and human use. They ensure buildings remain stable and secure.
Q: What is Title 24?
A: Also called the California Energy Code, Title 24 are energy efficiency standards that each home must meet.
Q: What does green building entail?
A: Green building is the practice of creating structures and using processes that are environmentally responsible and resource-effiecient throughout a building's lifecycle, including design, construction, operation, maintenance, and even renovation.
Q: Will you submit our construction drawings to the city for plan checking and permits?
A: Generally this is not included in the scope of work but if the clients needs this service, we can add it into the contract.
Q: How much do permits costs?
A: It depends upon the city where you reside as well as the square footage being added and/or the remodeling project being undertaken. As an average, most permits cost a few thousand dollars. Also, permits are valid for 6 months. If you do not begin your project within that time, you will have to pay a repermitting fee. We always recommend NOT pulling permits until you know for sure you when will start construction. Also, if you add on more than 500 square feet, there is a one-time school assessment fee of approximately $2,000.
Q: Can you recommend a contractor?
A: Absolutely. We have a number of highly qualified and talented contractors with whom we've worked over the years. We do recommend getting a minimum of 3 bids on your project and finding the contractor who best fits your budget, timeline, and with whom you have a good rapport and sense of trust.
Q: How do you charge?
A: Most projects entail a 2-priong approach: Design and Construction. Each phase has it's own contract that spells out the hourly rate, the estimated time involved and the project parameters. The Design phase typically has a higher hourly rate than the Construction document phase.