Getting Ready: Next steps and things to consider as we get started. 

To make our first design session as productive (and fun) as possible, we recommend gathering the following information. You don't need to have all the answers right now, but thinking about these categories will help us understand your vision, your constraints, and your dreams.

1. The Logistics (The "Must-Haves")

Before we draw a single line, we need to understand the constraints of the canvas we are working on.

• Existing Plans: For renovations, any existing blueprints or "as-built" drawings of the current structure.

• Site Survey: If available, a recent topographic survey of your property showing property lines, easements, and topography. Dogtrot will handle this for you if you don't already have one.

• HOA/Zoning Info: Any specific neighborhood covenants or City zoning restrictions you are aware of. Dogtrot will conduct an in-depth zoning analysis to determine what is possible on your property. 

• Budget Target: A candid discussion on your total project budget (including construction, design fees, permits, and furnishings). We will help prepare a preliminary budget to help guide the process. 

• Timeline: It's always important to discuss the realties of schedule, both desired timelines and those elements that will impact overall schedule. 

2. The Program (The "What")

This is the list of ingredients that will go into the house.

• Room Count: Target number of bedrooms and bathrooms.

• Specialty Spaces: Do you need a home office, a gym, a mudroom, a wine cellar, or a media room, family room, outdoor spaces?

• The Kitchen: How do you cook? Is the kitchen a private workspace or the social hub of the home?

• Storage Needs: Are you minimalists, or do you have significant storage needs for hobbies?

• Garage: Number of cars and need for workshop space, mudroom space, dog zone?

3. The Lifestyle (The "How")

How you live is just as important as what you build.

• Daily Routine: Walk us through a typical day. Where do you drink your coffee? Where do you drop your keys when you walk in?

• Entertaining: Do you host large holiday gatherings or intimate dinner parties?

• Outdoor Living: How do you want to connect to the outdoors? (Patios, decks, covered porches, pool access).

• Future Proofing: Do we need to plan for aging-in-place (first-floor primary suite) or future children?

• Pets: Do your pets need a wash station or a specific sleeping area?

4. The Aesthetic (The "Feel")

It is often hard to describe a style in words. Images are the best communication tool here.

• Inspiration Board: A link to a Pinterest board, or a physical folder of magazine clippings. We will develop this as a touchstone that we will use throughout the process. 

• Likes & Dislikes: It is just as helpful to show us things you dislike as it is to show us things you love.

• Materials: Are there materials you are drawn to? (Natural stone, warm wood, industrial steel, white shiplap?)

5. The "Why"

• The Spark: What is the main driver for this project? More space? Better light? A change in lifestyle?

• The Feeling: When you walk into your finished home, how do you want to feel? (Calm, energized, protected, open?)

Don't worry if you can't check every box. The design process is a dialogue. We will help you fill in the blanks during our Schematic Design meetings.