Helping contractors.
Let’s start with a quick chat.
First, what is your name?
Do you have a project with problems?
Home Architect Studio wants to solve them for you.
EXPERIENCE MATTERS.
Many architects can design.
Do they specialize in homes which need special attention?
MONEY SAVED IS EARNED.
Money limits a solution. Innovation expands it.
Would an architect, who understands the value of time, increase the amount of money in your pocket?
TIME IS VALUABLE.
In construction, time is precious.
Would a design team, who saves you time, increase your business profits?
Who is Home Architect Studio?
Home Architect Studio LLC offers a full range of architectural services including renovations (kitchen, bath, deck, and many more), additions, new home design, historic preservation, adaptive re-use and sustainable design specifically for the residential home market.
Here is a sample of the home problems we could solve for your clients:
- Architecture Related:
- Are you looking for some interior design advice? We can help.
- Did you buy a challenging home, and need a trusted advisor to guide you?
- Are you looking for a professional to help with sizing framing members?
- Does the home’s layout feel strange?
- Are you looking for a design specialist to help with an elderly parent or special needs child?
- Have a home that requires an addition?
- Have a historic home which needs more attention to detail?
- Legal Issues:
- Do you need help with a building or zoning permit?
- Was work completed without permits? And now you need help.
- Is their renovation part of an insurance claim ?
- Do you need a zoning variance?
- Are you unsure what can be done with the existing home?
- Construction Related.
- Is this a fixer upper, needing more help than originally anticipated?
- Is the roof leak just not going away and no one seems to know how to fix?
- Don’t have the time to manager the project, and you need a trusted advisor to help out?
- Engineering Related.
- Are you looking for an efficient HVAC design?
- Are you looking to remove a load bearing wall?
- Do you need to expand a driveway or add a deck, and the town needs a drawing?
- Is the electrical, plumbing, or heating/cooling systems not designed correctly?
- Do you need a RESCheck Compliance Certificate?
- Structural problems in the house?
Why Home Architect Studio?
WE SPECIALIZE IN HOMES.
As residential architects, we specialize in homes.
Why?
Because we want our clients to be our friends for life.
WE SOLVE PROBLEMS
As architects we can pose a solution to fix the home’s issues today and prevent tomorrow’s problems. We can also assist in the construction process, so everyone’s stress levels are reduced.
PEACEFUL CONSTRUCTION.
You are already stressed by your construction project’s needs. No need for more stress with client or design related issues. At Home Architect Studio we can keep the frustration level low, and move the project forward.
How does Home Architect Studio work?
Step 1
Talking about the home's problems.Have a good conversation.
Every home problem should start with a conversation.
What are the home’s problems today?
Can we help prevent the home’s future problems?
Step 2
We analyze the home together.Analyze the Home.
After an investigation, we will work together on the design solution.
What are the home’s problems?
What inexpensive solutions can we suggest to enhance the home?
Step 3
Fix the home.Solve the Home issues.
Once a design is finalized, we will work together on it’s correction.
How can we speed up the construction ?
Without sacrificing it’s quality.
How much time do we have?
Step 4
Enjoy new business.Surprise. You did it!
After all that hard work, time, and expenses.
Now comes the best part.
Your client enjoying their new home.
And recommending you to their friends for their home project with a 5 star rating.
Frequently Asked Questions
ANSWER:
Absolutely whenever we can. With our principals being LEED professionals, we strive to provide our clients with the most sustainable design when possible. Here’s a quick list of what we generally put in our homes:
- 95% efficient furnace
- 2×6 exterior walls
- dual-pane vinyl windows
- R-50 fiberglass insulation for ceilings
- R-23 fiberglass insulation for walls
ANSWER:
First drafts take anywhere from 3 days to 2 weeks. The speed to draw up house plans depends on:
- The size of the project
- The complexity of the project
- Availability of the client to review the progress
- How quickly decisions could be made
- The details needed to build it
- Defining who will build it.(General Contractor, DIY, Construction Manager, etc)
- The project plan on how it will be build
Looking for a more realistic timeline to draw plans? We can help.
ANSWER:
Home Architect Studio issues invoices on a regular basis two week basis for larger projects, and immediately upon completed completion of smaller projects. Initial retainers are used as a credit toward the final payment. Feel free to contact our billing department for further information.
ANSWER:
Note: Having a design in mind already, will help speed up the process.
ANSWER:
- ONE- AND TWO-FAMILY DWELLING SUBCODE (NJAC 5:23-3.21)
- BUILDING SUBCODE (NJAC 5:23-3.14) (Typically for larger residential, and all non-residential)
- PLUMBING SUBCODE (NJAC 5:23-3.15)
- ELECTRICAL SUBCODE (NJAC 5:23-3.16)
- ENERGY SUBCODE (NJAC 5:23-3.18)
- MECHANICAL SUBCODE (NJAC 5:23-3.20)
- FUEL GAS SUBCODE (NJAC 5:23-3.22)
- REHABILITATION SUBCODE (NJAC 5:23-6)
ANSWER:
- Any drawings of your existing home.
- A property Survey
- Ideally within the last 10 years
- Having it in Autocad format would also be great
- Inspiration images of what you would like your home to look like when its completed.
- Quick FYI. Creating a pinterest board is a good way to collect them.
- and any other documents you think would be useful to communicate your vision.
Have any other questions about your home project?
We can help. Click here to schedule your FREE Architect Consultation.
ANSWER:
- Modifying a wall.
- Bringing in a previously unknown team member (like a kitchen designer)
- Changing material types
- Adding a room
- and any major changes.
Small changes like reversing a door swing would be minor in our opinion, and made without any additional costs. 😊
Have any other questions about your home project?
We can help. Click here to schedule your FREE Architect Consultation.
ANSWER:
A variance is a “variation” from the local township’s Zoning Code for a certain type of construction or use.
Variances are typically granted by a Board of Adjustment or Zoning Board.
Variances are only granted in special situations, as they would essentially provide a basis for future variances. They should be viewed only as a last resort option, due to costs and time. Variances basically allow the applicant to be permitted to violate a city zoning ordinance while all other citizens must still be required to abide by it. That is why variances are only granted when conditions at the property are so unusual that they warrant such a special treatment.
For example a typical variance is to allow someone to construct a new home closer to the rear property line than is permitted by the Zoning Code because the land configuration does not permit them to build any other way.
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We will:
- Be photographing each room as well as the exterior.
- Be measuring building systems (doors, windows, walls, etc.)
- Scan the rooms if the wall surfaces are readily available (meaning not too much furniture in front of it)
- Need access to all of the home’s locked areas
What should you bring to the ECS?
- A fun loving attitude since we’ll be formally introduced to your home. 😁
- A copy of your property survey.
- Any other building related documents you may have (old floor plans, etc)
- The project’s initial deposit.
- Cash or checks are preferable. Credit cards are acceptable, and will carry a 3.5% processing fee.
- Checks can be made out to Home Architect Studio
So how long will a ECS typically take?
- On average, we can complete the ECS within about 4 hours.
- Sometimes, we may require an additional visit (especially after the model is completed) to confirm certain dimensions.
ANSWER:
An NJ ResCheck refers to the ResCheck energy compliance report required in New Jersey to demonstrate that a residential building meets the state’s energy code requirements. ResCheck is a software tool developed by the U.S. Department of Energy to verify that homes comply with the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and other applicable energy standards.
When is a ResCheck Required in New Jersey?
- For new residential construction, additions, or major renovations that must meet NJ energy efficiency standards.
- When applying for a building permit, local building departments may require a ResCheck report to ensure compliance with the current energy code.
- Typically applies to one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses.
What Does a ResCheck Include?
- Building envelope details (walls, roof, windows, doors, foundation insulation).
- HVAC system specifications to ensure energy efficiency.
- U-factors & R-values for insulation, windows, and doors.
- Heating and cooling load calculations to confirm energy efficiency compliance.
- A pass/fail determination based on energy code requirements.
Who can provide a ResCheck?
- An architect (like us 😁 ), engineer or energy consultant.
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Because of our 20+ years of experience, we provide a lot more information and value in an initial consultation than other design professionals. We call this initial consultation a Home Project Review. During the home project review, we help with defining the scope of work, preparing budgets, give design advice, discuss zoning requirements, detail information on the process of design through permitting, customize services, share pitfalls that could impact the project, and other information customized to the your project’s specific needs. This information is yours to take to any design professional you meet and will give you a jump start on your project and help you define realistic goals. We also offer FREE phone consultations if costs are a concern.
ANSWER:
Click here to schedule your FREE architect phone consultation.