Luxury Home Design Questions
Everyone eats, sleeps, and entertains, but not everyone does it the same way. This is why we start every project by listening to our clients needs and asking questions, so we can understand how you live. This way we are able to deliver designs that are awe-inspiring in their beauty, but also functionally efficient to suit the client’s unique lifestyle.
Below is a list of frequently asked questions that many of clients have as they embark on their new home project:
Q: What type of services do you offer, and can you help us during construction?
A: We believe in providing a complete and holistic approach to the design of your home. Therefore, we are offer Architectural and Interior Design together for your new home. During construction, we can also offer contract administration or construction management services so that you can have a truly integrated approach to building a new home.
Contact us and ask about how we can help you.
Q: What is included and involved in each one of these different types of services?
A: For simplicity’s sake, I will summarize them as follows:
Architectural Design – This is essentially the layout and planning of the rooms within the home. It also covers the design of the exterior of the building including the exterior finishes. It starts with us listening to you and your unique requirements. From there, we will present you with a concept plan and then technical drawings for the city building permit submissions. We will be responsible for coordinating this and will make sure that the plans will meet all building codes and city bylaws. At the end of the process, you will have a set of drawings which have been approved by the city for construction.
Interior Design – Although the Architectural Design provides the layout and the exterior look, it does not cover the interior finishing details. Our 2nd package focuses on these missing specifications so that the contractors now will have all the information they need to complete the construction. Within the Interior Design package, we will design the ceiling and lighting layout, the power/telephone layout, all the finishes information including the flooring and wall materials, and the custom millwork (cabinet) design. The Interior Design drawings are essential to not only save time during construction but also to serve as a legal document with all the specifications so that no corners are cut during construction.
Contract Administration – This is the service that we can provide during construction to help administer the design throughout the construction period. There will always be issues that come up during construction that is best dealt with by the designer. It could be issues such as answering contractor questions, reviewing unforeseen items that come up, reviewing shop drawings and samples, or issuing instructions for revisions requested.
Construction Management – Depending on the type of project and our schedule, we will sometimes be able to construct the project for you. It is ideal for us to be your Construction Managers because you will then have the same team that designed your house to also build it for you. As your Construction Manager, we will be responsible to monitor your schedule, your budget, and coordinate the trades. We have over a decade of construction experience so we can truly help you fully realize the complete vision of your home
Q: What are the fees for your services?
A: We like to provide a set fee for our Architectural and Interior Design services whenever possible. Every project and site is unique and upon getting your address and your requirements, we can give you a detailed proposal. Please contact us or use our Enquiry Form to give us more information about your project so that we may provide you with a proper quotation. As a general guideline, our fees will be higher than spec. home designers but typically less than registered Architects.
Q: What sets you apart from other luxury home designers in Vancouver?
A: For starters, when we say that your home building project is all about you, we mean it.
Too often architectural firms, home designers and project managers will intimidate and dictate to their clients. We aim instead to befriend and understand our clients, in order to build homes that are reflections of them. Yes, you can enjoy the process of building your custom luxury home, and we can take you there.
One common refrain from our past customers is that it is our calm demeanour and our friendly approach to home design that makes us different.
Q: What makes you unique from your competition?
A: We really haven’t analyzed our competition, but we feel our strengths lie in the fact that we are service focused, hold a strong standard for quality design, are innovative and efficient with our space planning.
But we think the most important feedback that we get from our customers is that we listen and have a unique ability to truly understand their needs and can help them actualize a vision that they couldn’t have envisioned themselves.
Please see our Testimonials section to see what our past customers have said about us.
Q: Do you only design luxury homes?
A: No. We are passionate about design and creating a home that can enrich people’s lives. So if you have a challenging project and you are looking for innovative solution customized for your needs, please contact us.
Q: Are you an architect and do I need one to design my home?
A: We are not registered Architects and chose not to be because our interests are in single family homes. Registered Architects are only required for multi-family projects which have more 4 dwelling units. We are, however an associate member of the Architect’s Institute of British Columbia. Please visit their website aibc.ca for more information.
Q: What other accreditations do you have?
A: We are a long-standing member of the Canadian Home Builder’s Association and the Greater Vancouver Home Builder’s Association. We also have been featured in many other publications in the past including Canadian Builders and the Spectacular Homes of Western Canada book published by Panache where we were selected as one of the top designers in western Canada.
We are continually being recognized by our industry through awards and publications. This is important in your consideration process because these are third party judges who have voted us to be the best amongst our peers. A well designed home not only will serve you perfectly for the duration of your stay, but the fact that it was designed by our company who have won multiple awards will naturally increase its value in the marketplace.
Please see our Credentials sections for the complete list of media articles we’ve been featured in.
Q: How long is the design process?
A: This really depends on the complexity of the project and what are the unique requirements. For a typical house, you should allow for about 4-6 weeks of design and drawing time. This does not include the client’s review process or the city’s permit processing time.
Q: How much involvement do I have in the design process?
A: We encourage a lot of client input in the beginning as we want to ensure that the plan is custom tailored for your needs. We always start off with an initial discovery meeting where we listen to your requirements and ask that you provide a “wish list” of items you would want to see. We then take this list and come up with a concept plan that we feel will suit your needs. This plan is not final and we will typically have a few more meetings in between so that you have a chance to review and “massage” things just the way you like it. Once the concept plan is signed off, we will then start our technical drawings.
Q: What are your design principles?
A: This short video gives you a great explanation of our design methodologies and how passionate we are in solving the design challenge for the client. We explain our design approach we call “Designing from the Inside Out” and show you 2 project spotlights demonstrating how we provide “Solutions through Innovative Design”.
Q: Is Eric always so calm and in such good spirits?
A: In a word, yes. Our fearless leader is exactly that; unafraid of the challenges of building homes in Vancouver, even in difficult lots, arduous permitting processes and inclement weather. We invite you to put our relaxed and cheerful founding partner to the test. See for yourself that he delivers a stress-free, awe-inspiring unique home creation, every time.
Q: Now that we’ve decided to build (or renovate) a home, what is the next step?
A: The next step is to choose VictorEric Premium Homes as your home designer and builder. Contact us and let’s start by getting to know one another with an initial meeting.
If you choose to go with us, we will help you coordinate all the other steps and consultants that will be involved. These include: surveyors, engineers, and the city permitting process. We realize that you are excited about your new home project, and that you may also feel nervous and anxious about the process. That’s why we choose to provide a full service and be your main consultant throughout the planning and the build. We start with a great rapport and an understanding of you and your needs, and we continue to make the process enjoyable for you along the way.
We hope this answers some of your questions. If you have more, feel free to use our Enquiry Form and someone will get back to you within 24 hours.
