The direct answer is yes, if doing a major renovation project, we can most certainly split the project into phases. When creating the plans for each phase, we will work together with you to figure out what the most pressing needs are and have those needs as the main goal(s) to accomplish. By knowing the big picture, we can set up specific long and short term plans that will allow us to optimize construction time and costs while minimizing disruptions of the house and your everyday life during the actual construction.
while two-story addition is Phase II.
Regarding the design portion of the project, we typically suggest getting the vast majority of the planning completed during the Schematic Design (SD) phase of the project. While advancing the Schematic Design, we are able to ensure the vision of the project is set in the proper direction and all spaces can work together including function, circulation flow and space relationships. Based on the vision of the big picture, we can determine the specific phases of the project, and deliver the construction drawings of the first phase. We can prepare the next phase(s) as the client gets closer to the beginning of each.
It is very important to have a clear vision and long term plan in mind when starting a major renovation project. In our experience, failure to have clear goals often results in massive mistakes that affect much more than people have realized going in, often resulting in piecemeal and patchwork jobs that end up being choppy and undesirable. This applies to exterior renovation too. you need to consider exterior design together with interior reconfiguration, so that the exterior facades reflect interior spaces and enhance indoor-outdoor relationships. Otherwise, it could potentially devalue the home and its curb appeal.
Having a clear vision and a comprehensive planning of design also helps with phasing the project in the most efficient and economical way. It is a powerful tool to minimize the number of phases and group the related scope of work together. Ideally we want to avoid any future phase to have negative impact upon the work has been completed. Secondly, The more phases there are, the more the overall costs accrue. We want to find out a balance between the investment and number of phases. Finally, as phasing the project, we may consider if each phase will allow you to live in the home while construction of that phase is in progress.
If you have any further questions, please contact us by email or phone.