+1 CONNECT

It all kicks off with a phone call, email, or text message. Connect with us today at: 859.576.8175 or email us at: nehocker@hplusma.com

In all of our projects, before we explore aesthetics and the overall feeling of the project, it is essential to develop a broad understanding of the planning drivers. Our goal is to ensure that we have a sound understanding of what the project vision is, and how it adheres to your budget. 

It is crucial for us to research and gain a deeper understanding of surrounding property uses, planning and zoning ordinances, stormwater management, pedestrian and vehicular circulation, important site features, building orientation, and preservation of green space. These instances will help to shape the character of your project and its function. 

A time table will be given in order to conduct a field measure of the existing building - if a remodel and/or addition project - for project development once the vision and goals are understood, and what will be required to complete the project.

Program: Make a general list of all the spaces desired for the project - for a renovation, addition, and/or new build. Give an approximation of square footage desires for the project. Consider all the characteristics and proximity about the spaces that we'll need to include to create a holistic plan(s). 

Mood Board: It helps greatly when we are able to fully know what you expect for your project regarding aesthetic and quality of build. Gather magazine clippings, photos of spaces you like, floor plan ideas, etc. that will aid us in crafting of your vision. 

Site Survey: Not required upon the purchase of an existing home or property; this piece of information is helpful when considering what and where to place your new build or addition on your lot. It is required of us to include a site plan within all Kentucky jurisdictions upon building permit submission, therefore an accurate boundary survey created by a site surveyor is necessary toward building permit approval.

After we have obtained the information from you necessary to commence work, and from our own in-depth research; we will then input it into a holistic plan(s). Keep in mind that several schemes and review from you are needed to develop the project toward what it is you've envisioned, and sometimes, you might be surprised as to what you may not have considered. 

The "style" of our work is not a prescribed language, rather it is developed through a rigorous discovery process of organic and honest design development. 

BIM (Building Information Modeling) software technology is utilized in our office to create 3D visualizations and plan documents. This tool allows us to explore various design ideas and helps you easily visualize the project.

Once we have gained your approval to proceed from the preliminary design, we will commence documents necessary for building permit submission, and for your contractor to build from. The contents within these documents for building permit submission may vary depending on the scope of work and location of the project. 

A non-exhaustive list of Documents may include:

• Site Survey / Boundary Plan
• Life Safety Plan
• Landscape Plan
• Foundation Plan (Engineer assisted)
• Floor Plan(s)
• Plan Enlargements
• Building Elevations
• Framing Plan(s) (Engineer assisted)
• Building Section(s)
• Wall Section(s)
• Building Details 

Consultants: An engineer, and/or multiple engineering consultants, as well as any specialized consultants, may be required for your project to adhere to International & Kentucky Building Codes. If so, this will be communicated to you. As we do not guarantee nor warrant any outside consultants' works; we will coordinate with them throughout the project to ensure that all of our drawings are both cohesive and building permit ready.

Once we have qualified the completion of our drawings - and have conducted a final coordination with the consultants, if required - we will then send a PDF copy to you for building permit submission. These drawings can also be used for contractor cost estimation(s). When your project is in bidding by one or multiple construction entities, we will answer any questions they might have regarding the design. 

During construction, we will visit the site to observe the progress of the work at periods necessary per the level of construction. We do not interfere with the construction entity (subcontractors, contractors, specialized services) while in construction, nor do we give direction on any means or methods of their performance.

We typically bill at an hourly rate for our services, but this may vary depending on type of project and scope of work. A summation of project location and scope of work will be described within our contract. Anything outside of the project scope requested by you or a representative approved by you, will warrant additional fees (ie: additional design, travel, coordination meetings). 

We charge for travel, printing services, and additional meetings outside of project considerations.