A Five-Stage
Engagement
Every StoneArch project follows a structured five-stage process — designed to give you clarity at every milestone, avoid costly mid-course changes, and produce construction documents that contractors can actually build from. Here's what to expect.
Discovery
2–4 weeksWe begin every project with a structured discovery engagement — a site visit, a program interview, and a review of any existing documentation. Our goal is to understand your life, not just your brief. We ask about daily routines, how you entertain, what you want to feel when you come home, and what's not working about your current space.
Deliverables
- Site visit & measurement
- Program document (spatial needs, priorities)
- Budget feasibility assessment
- Project schedule framework
- Signed design agreement
Concept Design
4–6 weeksWe develop two or three distinct design directions — each exploring different spatial, material, and formal approaches. These are presented as hand sketches, diagrammatic plans, and 3D massing studies. We're not showing you finished design at this stage — we're showing you different ways of thinking about your project.
Deliverables
- 2–3 concept design directions
- Schematic floor plans & site plan
- Massing studies & 3D sketches
- Preliminary material palette
- Concept presentation & design direction selection
Design Development
6–10 weeksWith a direction selected, we develop the design in full. Floor plans are resolved to the inch. Elevations are drawn for every significant interior and exterior face. Material selections are finalized. We coordinate with structural, mechanical, and civil consultants during this phase to ensure the design is constructible and code-compliant.
Deliverables
- Developed floor plans (all levels)
- Interior & exterior elevations
- Material & finish specifications
- Structural coordination drawings
- MEP (mechanical/electrical/plumbing) coordination
Documentation
6–8 weeksWe produce a complete set of construction documents — the drawings and specifications that contractors price and build from. These include architectural drawings, structural drawings (coordinated with our structural engineer), and a written specification. We submit for permit on your behalf and manage the back-and-forth with the building department.
Deliverables
- Full construction drawing set
- Written specifications (CSI format)
- Permit application & submissions
- Structural drawings (coordinated)
- Energy compliance documentation
Construction Administration
Duration of constructionOnce construction starts, we remain actively engaged. We make bi-weekly site visits, respond to contractor RFIs within 48 hours, review and approve submittals, and issue supplemental instructions when field conditions require adjustment. We are your advocate on site — ensuring the contractor builds what was designed.
Deliverables
- Bi-weekly site visits & reports
- RFI responses (48-hour turnaround)
- Submittal review & approval
- Supplemental instructions as needed
- Substantial completion walkthrough & punch list
Stage 01 starts with a conversation.
Our discovery engagement is a fixed-fee service — no open-ended hourly billing. You'll leave with a clear program document, a project schedule, and confidence in whether StoneArch is the right fit.