Capabilities

We offer two methods to meet your design and drafting needs:

AutoCAD: When it comes to creating home plans using a computer aided design and drafting, we use AutoCAD, the industry standard. There are many other, lesser programs available in the market and while they may get the job done, they fall short of the capabilities and wide ranging compatibility of AutoCAD.

Hand drafting: We are also in the unique position to offer expert hand drafting as well. Most firms have left this capability behind and are thereby unable to help clients that have need of this traditional method of plan creation. Hand drafting allows us to work with older, hand drafted plans that a client may need modified. In these cases, AutoCAD would not be an option. That would require completely redrawing the plan when all that is need are modifications.

Stock Home Plans

To view our on-line selection of Stock Plans, click here!  One of our stock plans may fit your needs. If you have found a home in our stock plans and don't wish to make any changes, all you need to do is simply place an order for the plans. A set of stock plans include, floor plan(s), elevations, foundation plan, roof plan and stock details. Stock plans are sold as a six set minimum.  HVAC layouts are also available. Keep in mind, you don't need these plans to obtain your building permit.  Ongoing modifications of the building code may require a delay in filling your plan order, so please allow time for us to review and update plans.

Changes to Existing Stock Home Plans
If you have found one of our plans that you like but it doesn't exactly meet all of your needs, one of our experienced home designers can work with you to modify that plan to your specifications.  To schedule a consultation with one of our designers, simply call for an appointment. If your changes to the plans are minor, the designer may be able to take them over the phone.  However, for best results, we recommend an office visit in an effort to minimize miscommunications.  The fee for stock plan modifications is based on the amount of time required to incorporate your changes into the plans.  If no work is scheduled with the designer at the time of your meeting, a consultation fee is payable at the time of the meeting.

Additions and Renovation Design
If you love where you live but need more space or just a new look, consider renovating or adding onto your home. With the lack of availability of land as well the rising cost, more and more people are deciding to stay where they are.  Regardless of the age of your home, we can design a much needed addition or redesign an existing space to be more useful.  We can work from existing plans of your home or if you don’t have them, we can recreate the portions we need.  Please click here to be taken to our Additions and Renovations page.

Custom Home Plans
If, after hours of leafing through every home plan book you could find, you still have not found the plan you are looking for, you might consider a custom design.  TRD's talented design staff can create a home based on your sketches, notes, magazine articles, photos or whatever - at a price lower than you might think.

Step One: Consultation
To begin, a meeting is scheduled with the designer to discuss concepts of the home you have in mind. If you have a piece of property that may be difficult to work with, then a field consultation may be required.  These services are billed by the hour.

Step Two: Preliminary Design
Next, a set of preliminary drawings is created; usually floor plan(s) and a front elevation.  At this stage, you can study the design, making any changes or notes.  This design time is billed at an hourly rate.

Step Three: Design Development
In this phase, we incorporate any modification you may have to your preliminary design.  Additional sketches or redraws may be done; alternate design concepts may be explored. This time is billed at an hourly rate.

Step Four: Construction Documents
When we've gotten the plan right where you want it, we recommend getting your builder's input with respect to cost of construction.  Once satisfied, the working drawings or "construction documents" are drafted.  This phase is billed on a square foot basis.  This is calculated on 'Living Space" (all possible living areas, finished or unfinished) and on "Non-Living Space" (all areas that are enclosed or under roof that are not living/heated areas, such as garages, carports, covered or screen porches, or basements with no designed living space).  Exact fees are provided on our price list when we start your project.  We provide both hand drafted and CAD drawn plans.

Restoration

Homes can be severely damaged by fire or floods. It happens quickly and usually without warning.  If this has happened to you, we can help you rebuild your home by creating a design that will give you a new beginning and put you on your way to recovery.  We can work in association with insurance companies to coordinate plan production.  We can redesign a new home around as much of the existing structure as is salvageable and recommend area that should be demolished.  We can give the home an entirely new appearance or recreate the look of the home you loved.  Please click here to be taken to our Additions and Renovations page.

Engineering
If you plan to build in an area where an engineers' seal is required for a building permit, we can contract this service for you.  Please note, the engineers' fees are established by the engineer and are billed separately by the engineer.  The seal will appear on two sets of your blueprints.