Phase One focuses on pre-construction planning for residential construction, so clients get started on the right foot with contractors and can provide permit-ready blueprints for them to follow during construction.
Pre-construction planning with Phase One begins with identifying your project goals and assessing site conditions. We can then carefully design the house plans, keeping your must-have features and potential site limitations in mind. You get the final say during pre-construction planning and approve the plans your contractor will use.
To start planning your new home immediately, call Phase One today at 803-404-7168.
What Are the Steps in Residential Pre-Construction Planning?
We can walk you through all the steps of residential pre-construction planning when you use Phase One to design your new home.
Identify Your Goals
We start by identifying the client’s goals for their new home build, full renovation, or addition. You can tell us how much you’re comfortable spending on the build, the ideal square footage for you and your family, and any unique custom elements or finishes you’d like to include.
You can also let us know your preferred move-in date, and we can keep it in mind when designing the home and its complexity.
It’s completely fine if you don’t know exactly what you’re looking for during your first conversations with Phase One, as we can use our experience and insight to point you in the right direction.
Assess the Site
Pre-construction planning cannot happen until we assess the site and know where you want to build. We spend one to two hours onsite with clients, identifying possible hurdles like zoning restrictions, uneven ground, or large trees.
We assess feasibility and viability at this time, telling you whether certain goals are unachievable due to the lot and working with you to find creative solutions to those problems.
Plan the Home
Next, home planning can truly begin, and we can start to finalize house plans. You will get several copies of the finished house plans once you approve them, and we can also send copies to your contractor.
What’s Not Involved in Residential Pre-Construction Planning?
The physical building itself is not part of our pre-construction planning services, and you will need to hire a separate contractor to build what we have designed.
If you still need to hire a reputable contractor, we may recommend one to you in your area while we design your custom home. Not only will the contractor handle all the building, but they will also prepare the lot for construction, which may include removing trees and adding road access. We can indicate on the house plans where driveways and roadways will be located, and identify which trees should be removed for ideal house placement.
Even though Phase One only handles the planning stage, we can and will remain available to you and your contractor during construction to clarify any questions about the building plans.
What Happens When Residential Pre-Construction Planning is Complete?
We handle the initial planning and design for a custom home and other residential construction projects, including additions or renovations. When residential pre-construction planning is complete, your contractor will use the plans we’ve drawn up to get the mandatory permits and build your home.
We can provide you with architectural-quality plans that show the home’s exact layout and its position on the lot. You will receive both digital and physical copies of these plans so that your contractor can easily submit them for zoning approval and permits.
When planning is complete, we will also show you a realistic rendering of what the final product will look like, bringing the house plans to life so you can better visualize them.
FAQs About Residential Pre-Construction Planning
How Long Does Pre-Construction Planning Take?
We can typically design homes within two months and provide builder-ready plans for contractors, depending on how much clients need to tweak plans throughout the design process. Take your time planning the house, and don’t rush to make decisions any decisions or you might end up unhappy with the result.
Why is the Pre-Construction Planning Phase Important?
The pre-construction planning phase for residential builds produces the detailed construction plans your contractor will eventually follow, so plans must be accurate and up to your standards and expectations.
What Residential Construction Permits Do You Need?
After we design the house and you put your seal of approval on the plans, your builder can use the blueprints to obtain the required zoning approvals and construction permits.
Do You Set Your Budget in the Residential Pre-Construction Planning Stage?
We help clients set their budgets in the residential pre-construction planning stage, choosing materials, architectural styles, and finishes that are respectful of that budget.
How Often Can You Change House Plans During Residential Pre-Construction Planning?
As we send you house plans for approval, feel free to ask us to tweak designs to better suit your needs.
How Can You Prepare for Residential Pre-Construction Planning?
You can prepare for residential pre-construction planning with Phase One by taking the time to think about your wants, needs, and overall vision for the final result. The more guidance you give us about your likes and dislikes, the more successful the consultation with Phase One will be.
What Questions Should You Ask During Residential Pre-Construction Planning?
Feel free to ask any questions you have about the residential pre-construction planning process, such as the exact plans you will receive from us and if local zoning laws or HOA rules restrict your build in any way.
What’s Involved in Pre-Construction for Additions and Renovations?
The same steps are involved during the pre-construction design phase for additions and full home renovations, and we also design these residential projects for clients.
Call Phase One and Start Designing Your New Home
To start planning your new home with Phase One, call 803-404-7168 today.


