FAQ's
What does an Architectural Designer do?
An Architectural Designer handles all the facets of designing and/or drafting your project. Everything is accounted for, space planning (ie. furniture placement, etc.), exterior aesthetics, form, function and flow of the house.
How are you different from an Architect?
Biggest difference...price. Architectural Designers are (on average) a third of the price you'd pay an Architect for the exact same (and sometimes less) product. Another difference is an Architect can sign and seal their own plans whereas MALAKI Designz, LLC utilizes an outside Professional Engineer and/or Architect. You also have the option of using any PE or Architect of your choosing.
How much does it cost to sign and seal a set of drawings?
This varies greatly from project to project, and depends on the PE or Architect used. PE's will base their price on total square footage of the home as well as some Architects...some, however do charge a flat rate, depending on the project and scope of responsibility they're assuming.
Which is better, altering an already existing set of plans or drawing a new custom home from scratch?
Considering all of the variables that can come into play, there really is no "better". There is the quicker turn-around aspect with existing plans, although the level of customization is somewhat limited before it would become faster and easier to design the home completely from square one.
If I buy your plans, will they pass the code enforcement and be issued permits?
MALAKI Designz, LLC. makes every effort to stay up-to-date on all major (state and national) building codes. Due to the many jurisdictions that can alter (make stricter) codes, the plans possibly could be rejected on the first go. This is not unusual or the end of the world, the building department will provide a list of deficiencies, simply forward those comments and we will make any and all corrections, free of charge*, as well as cover the cost to re-sign and re-seal the drawings.
Do you supply everything I need, plan-wise, to build my home?
No. MALAKI Designz, LLC does not provide the following (needed for permits); roof truss design and energy calculations. These are provided by their respective discipline as part of their package. For example, you take your house plans (MDz will forward any needed CAD files to anyone needing them for design/bidding purposes) to a roof truss company. They in turn will design and engineer their roof trusses and assume responsibility for all aspects of their part of the contract. This process can be started as soon as the final layout (design development) stage of the project is signed off and approved by you. (More specifics will be provided during the initial consultation and design meeting.) These disciplines can send their specifications back to us to include with our architectural plans and put together one complete package for submittal to your building department.
What does an Architectural Designer do?
An Architectural Designer handles all the facets of designing and/or drafting your project. Everything is accounted for, space planning (ie. furniture placement, etc.), exterior aesthetics, form, function and flow of the house.
How are you different from an Architect?
Biggest difference...price. Architectural Designers are (on average) a third of the price you'd pay an Architect for the exact same (and sometimes less) product. Another difference is an Architect can sign and seal their own plans whereas MALAKI Designz, LLC utilizes an outside Professional Engineer and/or Architect. You also have the option of using any PE or Architect of your choosing.
How much does it cost to sign and seal a set of drawings?
This varies greatly from project to project, and depends on the PE or Architect used. PE's will base their price on total square footage of the home as well as some Architects...some, however do charge a flat rate, depending on the project and scope of responsibility they're assuming.
Which is better, altering an already existing set of plans or drawing a new custom home from scratch?
Considering all of the variables that can come into play, there really is no "better". There is the quicker turn-around aspect with existing plans, although the level of customization is somewhat limited before it would become faster and easier to design the home completely from square one.
If I buy your plans, will they pass the code enforcement and be issued permits?
MALAKI Designz, LLC. makes every effort to stay up-to-date on all major (state and national) building codes. Due to the many jurisdictions that can alter (make stricter) codes, the plans possibly could be rejected on the first go. This is not unusual or the end of the world, the building department will provide a list of deficiencies, simply forward those comments and we will make any and all corrections, free of charge*, as well as cover the cost to re-sign and re-seal the drawings.
Do you supply everything I need, plan-wise, to build my home?
No. MALAKI Designz, LLC does not provide the following (needed for permits); roof truss design and energy calculations. These are provided by their respective discipline as part of their package. For example, you take your house plans (MDz will forward any needed CAD files to anyone needing them for design/bidding purposes) to a roof truss company. They in turn will design and engineer their roof trusses and assume responsibility for all aspects of their part of the contract. This process can be started as soon as the final layout (design development) stage of the project is signed off and approved by you. (More specifics will be provided during the initial consultation and design meeting.) These disciplines can send their specifications back to us to include with our architectural plans and put together one complete package for submittal to your building department.