ADC’s compensation structure is determined by the finished square footage of a home.  Finished square footage is defined as all heated spaces plus screened, 3-seasons, and 4-seasons areas.  ADC’s design rate is $1.50/sqft for finished area on the first and second floors, and a design rate of $0.75/sqft for finished basement area. Once the plans go out for bids we invoice for the balance of the plan. You’re not quite done with us yet! We include 3 free hours of additional changes for after the bid. We can get a lot done in 3 hours of clean up changes if your bid comes in a little low or a little high. If changes exceed those 3 hours, any other time will be charged at a rate of $180 per hour.

You can purchase the building plan set for $800. Plans are rarely a 100% perfect fit because each lot is unique, but many can come close! We modify purchased plans at the rate of $180 per hour, for up to ten hours as long as we stay in the scope of the original project. Updating the exposure, redesigning the foundation finish and foundation plan can take 1-3 hours depending on the changes. If you want to get a free estimate of modifications to the 1st and 2nd floor, please call one of our offices to set up an appointment with one of our draftsman. Typically when you call one of our draftsman will answer and you may be able to go over your questions at that time. We also need to stay in the scope of the plan purchased. Typically when you start adding rooms or taking them away, it will take over 10 hours to update the full plan set and we often fall out of the scope of the original project. If you go out of the scope of the original project or after that ten hour mark, we consider it a new custom plan.  Our cost would revert back to that original $1.50 per heated square foot and $0.75 per square foot for the foundation finish. We would apply the paid $800 to the balance of the custom plan price.

We apply the same process regardless if its a custom plan or if we start with a stock plan.  Knowing what you want and being able to make decisions shapes the process and how much time it takes. First we dial in the 1st and 2nd floor to about 95% finished. Everything else is predicated on the footprint of the house. After that we go to the foundation finish and 3D’s. When you purchase a stock plan we typically don’t update the 3D’s because we try to keep changes to under the 10 hours. Once you approve that we draw the elevations and draft the foundation plan. There is typically some back and forth after that to dial everything in 100%. Then you are ready for bids!

You will give your finished plan set to your general contractor for bids. For modified stock plans we wait about 3-4 weeks after you have your bid plan set and then send you the bill for the hours we have into your plan. We try to allow you some time to send us anymore changes based on your bids so we don’t have to send multiple bills. For custom plans we bill after we give you the biddable  plan set. but included in that is an additional 3 hours of clean up changes.  When your GC comes back with the turn key cost of your home you may be under or over budget. Since the bulk of the work is done we will be able to modify your plan to dial in that bid to fit your budget. We can get a lot done in 3 hours. Anything exceeding the three hours is charged at our hourly rate.

This varies with the location you are working with and what time of the year it is. Usually we are scheduling 1 week out for meetings. If it’s the height of the building season we could be 2 weeks out for that initial meeting.

After a meeting or receiving an email with desired changes, we strive to have a 5 business day turnaround time. If it is the peak of our season it may take a couple extra days.

For the quickest response, call the office nearest you and there is a good chance one of our drafters will be answering the phone. Time permitting, they will be able to answer your questions and discuss your project. If not they will be able to set up an appointment so you will be able to get your questions answered.  If you prefer email, just email the office closest to you and a drafter will reply as soon as possible.