When should you reach out for an architecture consultation? After you’ve bought a home? How about when you’re still assessing your home purchase options? We recently worked with darling newlyweds who are also expecting their first baby. The first words out of the client’s mouth when he found out he was going to be a…
Amy Dutton Unfold is a response to providing quality house plans and high-end interior design services to customers without having them fully custom. Typically, with Amy Dutton Home, our clients pay between $40,000 – $60,000 for custom house plans, so we’re trying to make this a much more approachable process and purchase. WHY BECOME A…
You must first hire a contractor when doing a new home project, buying home design plans, or changing materials for a renovation. DIY is great for small projects like painting, but for much more than that, you will need a licensed professional to hire, trust and do the work for you. This relationship is crucial…
If you’re preparing for a renovation and need new cabinetry, it’s worth taking time to understand how cabinets are built, priced, and installed. Cabinetry has many moving parts—literally—and knowing the differences between box-store cabinets, cabinet shops, and semi-custom options can help you make the right decision for your space, budget, and long-term needs. Start with…
How do you best communicate with your builder to make your relationship productive over the course of your home project? Below are a few tips to keep everyone on the same path moving forward. They are, in my experience, necessary to the completion of a great project. One of the primary purposes of creating Amy…
When planning a new build or renovation, understanding your property rights is one of the most important steps you can take. Even when you’ve followed every rule and submitted all the correct paperwork, misunderstandings or complaints can delay your project—and cost you time and money. A Real Example: The Ash Cape Project When designing the…
One of the biggest questions is, “How much does it cost to build a home?” Setting expectations right before settling into a project and getting in over your head. Getting in over your head looks like this: You’ve poured the foundation, started the framing, purchased the plumbing fixtures and appliances, and all your dreams come…
When your builder gives you an official start date for your renovation or new construction project, that date represents a tremendous amount of behind-the-scenes work. Permits have been secured, subcontractors have been scheduled, materials have been sourced, and dozens of logistical steps have fallen into place. Once construction begins, your ability to stay ahead of…
I get it; it’s intimidating thinking about starting a construction project. Some clients will push back their projects for many years due to the impending hurdles. Others move forward headstrong and hit financial and logistical barriers; some give up and buy a spec house. With Amy Dutton Unfold, we are bringing the concept that you…
When planning a home project, one of the most common hurdles homeowners face is zoning compliance. You may envision adding a new room, expanding your footprint, or building closer to the property line—only to find that your plans fall outside the city’s zoning rules. That’s where a variance comes in. A variance is essentially permission…