SHARE

Jan 26, 2023

Step One: Budget

No matter the size of the project, an appropriate budget should be the first thing you establish, for all projects you can do this yourself. During this preliminary stage, through careful research you can establish an initial project budget, then once the project design gets moving along you can contact a local contractor for more a more accurate budget.

Step Two: Feasibility Study

Can your project be accomplished? While your project may sound like an amazing idea, that doesn’t mean it’s feasible, like commercial ventures in the middle of a residential neighborhood. Although it sounds great to be able to walk two doors down to the grocery store, in an established residential neighborhood, it is highly unlikely it would ever be permitted by your jurisdiction! Do your research first, or hire a professional to do it for you. Spending a little time and/or money now could save you from going down the wrong path in your investment.

Feasibility Study
Step Three: Contractor or DIY?

You may not have a choice about which route you take, but either route you need to know exactly what you’re signing yourself up for. From financing, to permitting, to ground breaking and beyond, it may all be your job. No matter what though, you need to be clear on who’s responsible for what, because soon your contractor will be on your speed dial and talking to them will likely become a daily routine. Be sure to interview several contractors, getting along with all parties involved will help to ensure the success of your project.

Step Four: Design

Depending on the scope of the project and your own abilities, you could execute this yourself. However, depending on the complexity of the project you may want to consider interviewing and hiring a design professional. This nominal cost should result in a better design and help avoid extra costs as your project is being built. Keep in mind, there are many types of projects that by law require the stamp of a professional thus ensuring the safety and welfare of the occupants.

schematic design
Step Five: Permitting

This may not even apply to your project, but it does apply to most. This step is integral and should be started as soon as possible. Depending on your jurisdiction, and the complexity of your project, this process could take just a matter of days, to months, to quite possibly even years, the whole time costing you time and money. Doing a thorough Feasibility Study should inform you of the task you have ahead of you in your planning and development departments.

Permit Approval
Step Six: Ground Breaking!

Now, this might not be a very big deal for some, as they are now set to build their backyard chicken coup, but for many others, this is the project they’ve dreamed of for years and now they’re finally going to watch (or literally make) it take shape. This can quite literally be the most exhilarating, and exhausting, months, or even years, of your life. Although this is a momentous occasion and worthy of celebration, you should be sure to take the time to mentally prepare yourself for the task ahead as it will likely test you. Many people come out of it ready to start their next big project, like both Sean and I, however, just as many come out with more grey hair, or less hair(!), and a tremendous sigh of relief and thanks that it’s finally done and they’ll never have to go through it again! Whatever the outcome of your emotional state, in the end, you will be overjoyed that it is all over and done with, and, if you took the proper steps, it will have been a successful and far more enjoyable process. Keep in mind why there even is the saying, “On time and under budget,” and why it’s regarded as such a good statement to be able to make!

Ground Breaking

After all these steps have been taken, or taken into consideration, I hope you are able to enjoy your chicken coop, remodel, new house, or maybe even your new grocery store, or at least the profits from your well thought out venture for years and years to come, I know I will!

2023 Summer Internship – Part I

2023 Summer Internship – Part I

This June 2023, Haven Design Workshop brought in Josiah Redburg from St. Andrews College in Michigan for a summer internship. He is going into his 5th year of study where upon completion he will attain his Master’s degree. We took some time recently to sit down and...

read more
Whatcom Housing Alliance – ADU Competition

Whatcom Housing Alliance – ADU Competition

The Whatcom Housing Alliance recently opened a public competition to source ideas for the design of accessory dwelling units. The purpose  is to increase awareness of the ADUs. They believe hosting a competition with foster ideas about what an ADU can be and to give...

read more
Haven Plays Pickleball

Haven Plays Pickleball

Hey All! Consider this an informal invitation to come play pickleball with your favorite Bellingham architects this summer.  Last week the office took the court for some competitive (and at times sloppy) pickleball. A few people came prepared, playing warm up matches...

read more
Reaction – Stockholm Wood City

Reaction – Stockholm Wood City

Stockholm, Sweden has developed a masterplan for a new neighborhood that will consist of all wood buildings! A few weeks ago, many architectural journals and magazines were publishing articles about this effort that is being undertaken. Stockholm has an area of vacant...

read more
An ADU Primer

An ADU Primer

Accessory Dwelling units, or ADU’s, are a growing building type in America. Wander through the neighborhoods of most West Coast cities and you will begin to spot them. This primer will outline some of the reasons that ADU’s are beneficial for homeowners, communities,...

read more
Why We Draw by Hand

Why We Draw by Hand

AKA the benefits of slow design. Spend any time at a modern architecture firm, and you'll quickly realize just how integral computer aided design (CAD) systems are to the process of creating and documenting any new project. From the earliest days of their integration,...

read more
MATERIAL BRIEF: THERMOWOOD BY LUNAWOOD

MATERIAL BRIEF: THERMOWOOD BY LUNAWOOD

Innovation is a near-constant in the materials industry, with novel products popping up on a regular basis. That said, the typical direction of said innovation is toward a more technologically-heavy built world, with highly processed assemblies eclipsing the more...

read more
Norman Foster on Sustainability

Norman Foster on Sustainability

At this point, just about everybody in the building industry is on board with the idea that sustainable practices are critical to ensuring a better future for our world. However, achieving a built environment that is good for both the environment, the inhabitants, and...

read more
Right to Repair, Volume 1

Right to Repair, Volume 1

This will be the first in a series of thoughts on the state of serviceability and repair in the products we consume. If it feels like the thing you bought last week is appreciably worse than the same product was 10 years ago, you’re probably right. Whether it’s...

read more
Bringing the outdoors in

Bringing the outdoors in

Bringing the outdoors in Our client wanted a modern home in a forested property that would allow an open view of the outdoors with a large patio for entertaining.

read more

Join our quarterly newsletter

Sign up for our free newsletter containing our latest projects, insights and resources.

Blog newsletter form