The Handwaving Stage
Walking around your house pointing at walls, ceilings, and cabinets, explaining what you think you want to do? You’re not alone. We get lots of calls from homeowners in the “handwaving stage:” unclear how to move forward with their renovation or even new construction.
You know your home could work better. Maybe you need more space, better flow, or an updated kitchen. Or perhaps you’re considering building new on your property. You’ve walked through countless times, explaining to your partner what you think could be done. But you’re stuck, unclear about how to transform those ideas into an actual project.
The traditional path requires committing to full architectural services before you really know what’s possible or what it might cost. That’s a significant leap for most homeowners, and frankly, it’s not always necessary as a first step.
A Different Approach
Our Project Definition Service exists to bridge this gap. It’s a standalone offering designed specifically for homeowners who want to understand what’s possible for their home or property before diving into full architectural plans.
Think of it as a strategic planning session for your project. We provide the analysis and information you need to make clear decisions about whether and how to move forward.
What’s Included
The service provides three key deliverables:
- Zoning Analysis: We research what’s allowed on your property. This is crucial information that many homeowners don’t consider until they’re deep into design, only to discover limitations that could have been identified from the start. Whether you’re renovating or building new, understanding zoning constraints is essential.
- Space Planning: We develop options for your project, sketching out possibilities and solving problems along the way. This gives you a clear picture of what different approaches might look like, whether that’s reconfiguring existing space or designing new construction.
- High-Level Cost Analysis: Perhaps most importantly, we provide enough detail for you to get ballpark costs from contractors. No more guessing whether your project is a $200,000 or $500,000 endeavor.
The Process
As with all our work, understanding what exists is an important first step. We start with understanding what you have. That means measuring and photographing your home or working with a survey. Then we sketch out options, solving problems and describing opportunities along the way.
This isn’t about producing construction-ready drawings. It’s about giving you the information and clarity you need to make good decisions.
How Clients Use This Service
Some clients engage us for Project Definition knowing they want to renovate or build, but needing to understand their options before committing to a specific direction. The service helps them choose the right scope of work.
Others use it to create a master plan for their property. They may not be ready to do everything at once, but they want to ensure that the project they start this year works within a larger vision. This prevents the common problem of renovating in pieces that don’t ultimately work well together.
Still others come to us genuinely uncertain whether renovation or new construction makes sense for their situation. The Project Definition Service gives them the information they need to decide whether to move forward, sell, or stay put.
What Happens Next
Should you decide to proceed with all or part of your project, we’re here to guide you through design and construction all the way through punch list. Walking with our clients through their renovation or new construction journeys is what we do, from the first conversation through completion.
But there’s no obligation. The Project Definition Service stands alone as a complete engagement. You’ll have the information you need, and you can proceed however makes sense for your situation.
Investment
Our fees for this work include a flat fee for measuring and photographing your home or working with a survey, plus our hourly rates for the design and analysis that follows. This structure keeps the service accessible while ensuring we can provide thoughtful, thorough work.
Why This Matters
At TPD, we understand what homeowners need: information that allows them to make decisions with clarity and confidence. Not every project requires full architectural services from day one. But every homeowner considering a significant renovation or new construction deserves to understand what’s possible, what it might cost, and what makes sense for their specific situation.
If you’re past the initial dreaming stage but not yet ready to commit to a full design process, the Project Definition Service might be exactly what you need.
Interested in learning more?
Reach out at info@tpdarchitect.com. We’re here to help you move from handwaving to action.
