FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• Custom Homes
• Additions
• Renovations
• Accessory Dwelling Units
• Detached Garage

You will work directly with Joe Sgarrella for the entire project. He can be contacted via cell phone or e-mail

703.431.2045

joe@forgedroots.com

We prefer for our clients to be as involved as they would like throughout the process. As an initial step, the client should provide a survey/plat of their property. Pictures and/or ideas are the starting point to every successful design. The more information you can provide about what your likes and dislikes, the better we can get to know you!

Yes, but not necessary for our initial conversation. We design our projects to be integrated within the specific site conditions. Upon studying the site, the topography, and the views; we can begin to create a design that maximizes it's potential.

There are several ways we can structure our fees, however our preference is to determine a fixed project fee upfront. This method assures all parties are comfortable with costs and there are no surprises. The fee is usually based on a unit rate attached to square footage of the home. What’s included in this fee will be discussed prior to signing a design contract.

Generally, design for a major remodel can take 1 to 3 months with custom home designs taking 2 to 4 months. This timeframe includes client meetings, field measurements (if necessary), initial design, drafting, and coordination through necessary consultants (such as structural engineers and contractors). Additional time may be warranted depending on the submittal of permit drawings to the proper building and/or zoning departments. 

There are many variables that go into the timing of a project. These include the overall scope of work, style, scale, and most of all, how quickly the client returns design comments on the project.  

The building timeline depends on many variables.  The scope of project, size, its complexity and timely decisions from the client are all factors in the process. The actual building process usually takes 8-12 months for new homes. The bureaucratic process of obtaining permits for health, zoning, and building departments can vary with municipality, but generally will add 2-4 months. As a starting point, the client should begin thinking about their project 6-12 months before they plan to break ground.

We work very hard to provide architecture that fits within your budget. There is not a fixed formula for this as each project has its own unique variables. We can give you a rough idea, but pricing varies based on your “dream". 

When starting to budget for your project, costs to factor include the following: property cost & site development, construction costs from the footing to the roof and all of the selections in between to include both materials and labor. Some costs that are typically not in the budget, but need to be factored in by the client are architectural fees and other consultant fees (site and structural engineering, interior design, environmental consultants, etc), as well as bank fees to finance the project from start to finish.

For a construction management fee, we are able to assist in working with the client to complete the process from start to finish of any project through supervision of the site development, general consultation of the home build process, and assistance in choosing contractors and supplies.

Through 30+ years of home designs, we are always happy to sell previous designs. We strongly encourage making changes to the designs as it is rare that a plan is 100% perfect for each building situation. The design and cost for modifications would be determined based on the modifications that were made to the original.