Design Service Process

Getting professional design services isn't complicated—it's a straightforward 6-step process that transforms your vision into a buildable, permit-ready plan. From first visit to construction approval, we keep you informed, involved, and confident every step of the way.

Step 1: Measure – The Foundation for Perfect Design

Once our service agreement is signed, we'll schedule a site visit to verify your existing layout and capture detailed measurements of your home. Our measurement technicians take the time to get every dimension right—foundation details, existing wall locations, utilities, site conditions, and site constraints.

Within 76 hours, you'll receive a detailed as-built floor plan. This is your foundation—the accurate baseline we'll use to design your project and prevent costly mistakes later. Many DIY designs fail because measurements are guessed or estimated. Not ours.

Why this matters: Accurate measurements prevent $5,000–$15,000+ in revision costs during construction or after permit denial.

Step 2: Design – Your Ideas, Brought to Life

With your accurate floor plan ready, our designers get to work turning your vision into reality.

Within about 10 business days, we'll schedule your initial design presentation. This is where the creative process begins. You'll review preliminary concepts, give feedback, and work directly with your designer to shape a plan that reflects your style, needs, and budget—whether it's an addition, kitchen remodel, ADU, new home, or complete transformation.

We explore multiple design directions and explain the trade-offs: this layout maximizes natural light but requires a structural change. This approach saves money on mechanical systems. This design increases your home's resale value by $25,000–$50,000.

Why this matters: Smart design decisions at this stage cost nothing to change. The same changes during construction or after permit approval cost tens of thousands. We get it right when changes are free.

Step 3: Draw – From Vision to Detailed Construction Plans

Once you've approved your final design, our team creates the technical construction documents—the detailed plans your builder and the city will need.

During this phase, our designer coordinates with a licensed structural engineer. We create comprehensive construction drawings that include existing and new walls, doors, windows, stairs, decks, plumbing fixtures, mechanical systems, foundation plans, roof framing, cross sections, window and door schedules, energy calculations, and all structural details required for plan check.

Why this matters: Professional construction documents eliminate builder confusion, prevent code violations, and allow the city to approve your project on the first or second submittal instead of requiring 3–4 correction cycles. Fast approvals mean you break ground months sooner. Incomplete or poor-quality drawings delay permits by 8–16 weeks.

Step 4: Permitting – We Handle the Red Tape, You Stay Focused

Permits are complicated. That's why we manage them.

Once your construction documents are complete, we submit your plans to the City or County for plan check and permitting. Our team handles all paperwork, tracks progress, and manages any corrections or clearances required by the building department. You won't receive confusing notices or miss critical deadlines—we're your single point of contact with the city.

Typical timeline: 4–8 weeks for residential remodels, 8–16 weeks for ADUs, 4–8 months for new construction. (Your specific timeline depends on project complexity and city workload.)

Why this matters: Builders and homeowners often waste 4–6 months managing permits themselves because they don't know the process. We know exactly what each department needs, what mistakes to avoid, and how to keep approvals moving. Professional permitting saves you months of waiting and hundreds in potential corrections.

Step 5: Ready to Build – Choose Your Path Forward

With permits approved, your project is ready for construction. Now you have choices.

Option A: Build with Coast Builders Group. We designed it, we know it inside and out, and we'll build it with the same expertise. You get seamless design-to-build continuity, realistic timelines, and premium craftsmanship. We also provide exclusive cost-saving benefits when you keep your project under one roof—saving you 5–10% on overall construction costs.

Option B: Get competitive bids from other contractors. We're happy to help. We'll provide your plans, answer contractor questions, and support the transition to your chosen builder. No pressure, no hard feelings.

Why this matters: If you choose Coast Builders for construction, you save time (no contractor shopping), money (design-to-build efficiency), and stress (one team, one vision). If you shop around, that's smart too—you'll see why our design expertise matters when contractors bid your project.

Step 6: Construction – Your Vision Becomes Reality

If you've chosen Coast Builders for construction, here's what happens next.

Our project managers will keep you informed throughout each phase of construction. You'll receive regular updates on schedule, quality milestones, material selections, and any decisions needed from you. We maintain clean job sites, coordinate trades seamlessly, and ensure every detail matches your approved design. Whether it's a remodel, ADU, pool, or custom home, we deliver on time, on budget, and with the craftsmanship you expect.

From groundbreaking to final walkthrough, you're working with the team that designed your project. We're invested in getting it right.

Why this matters: Design-build firms complete projects 10–15% faster than fragmented architect-contractor relationships because decisions happen instantly and design intent is never lost in translation.