OUR DESIGN PROCESS
At Max Craft, our design process is unique and targeted to the needs of each client. The focus is on streamlining the construction process; achieving a resplendent final product without the complication and expense of traditional architectural firms. Value engineering in the design phase, with direct feedback from the project managers and contractor allows us to deliver a very high quality to cost ratio. It also ensures that the contractor gets exactly what is needed to execute the project efficiently.
We have partnerships with civil, structural, architectural and MEP engineers, as well as someone on staff who is dedicated to meeting your municipalities requirements for permitting, historical requirements and variances.
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Our team is diverse and unique. We value strictly technical skillsets, and an artistic eye. Our architectural designers will deliver a full set of stamped construction documents, elevations, details, site plans, landscaping and stormwater management layering as needed. We can also assist you in selecting lighting and appliances, paint colors and tile for a complete design package as a deliverable that you can use to get accurate pricing and timelines from us or any other contractor.
If you choose Max Craft for your design work; you are not required to use us to execute the project. We encourage every client to educate themselves in the market and we are happy to prepare deliverables and support your project turn key, or in a support role to another contractor.
Also, please keep in mind that we offer design work for small and large projects! It is our pleasure to design a bathroom for you, or a full scale renovation. Even small projects benefit from diligence and preperation!
1
INITIAL DISCUSSION
During this phase of the project, a member of our design team will meet with you, often with a project manager, to discuss the scope and feasibility of your project, as well as to get an idea of your design preferences, and priorities.
We take this initial concept and develop a feasibility report and preliminary estimate. If it looks like we are on target with budget and scope, we proceed with more thorough concept sketches, takeoffs and outlines to move the project into the next phase.​
If we uncover major obstacles to the project, and you discover it is outside of your budget, we can scrap the job, or make adjustments on the front end
​This process allows us to protect you from spending money on design work for a project that is not feasible or in your best interests.
2
AS BUILTS AND FLOORPLANS
The next phase of our design process involves generating an architectural model of your existing space, and working together to nail down a design that suits your flow and lifestyle.
We believe in maximizing what you get out of the project through thoughtful planning. Proportions, space, flow, accessibility, family needs, future needs, lifestyle, and creating the space to fit your budget are factors that are carefully considered at this time.
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These conversations usually take place through a combination of in person meetings and our project management software, BuilderTrend for a large project, or just a single session with a notebook and some follow us selections for a small one
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Here you will see your dream home come to life in 3d.​ You will have a chance to take a virtual walkthrough of the space, and try different iterations and proportions, and at its conclusion, we will have a solid architectural plan to work with for the aesthetic design process
3
CONSTRUCTION DOCS AND MEP
The next deliverable produced will be permit ready construction documents.
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Or goal is to supply information for a building permit, as well as plans that are easy to understand for the client, subs and field crew.
We want to be thorough, so that any question either group could have is clearly answered in our construction document set without wasting time changing or clarifying points during the construction process that slows things down and costs money.
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We are usually the ones who have to account for any discrepancies, or delays, which makes us highly motivated to mitigate potential flaws and difficulties.
Thankfully, our team of builders, and designers have a good idea of how to do just that!
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We also consult with our mechanical subcontractors for the most efficient ways to run the Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing layers (or MEPS)
This together results in a grounded design set that is practical resulting in lower cost to you.
4
PERMITTING AND PLAN SETS
As a part of the design phase, and in transition to the construction phase, the design team will prepare everything needed for a smooth permitting process.
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For permitting; Max Craft is very fortunate to have Tiffany Buford on our team. She owned and operated Zenith and Buford; a subcontracting business managing permitting work for contractors for 7 years in the Atlanta area.
She now works with Max Craft full time, and we are grateful for her assistance.
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​We are all familiar with the process, but her focus and passion for this work is apparent in her ability to smoothly execute complex permits quickly and without stress.
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Anyone who has been through this process before will appreciate having someone on the team who knows the system well.
FINAL THOUGHTS
In summary: Max Craft Renovations has made it our mission to streamline every aspect of the renovations process.
​Renovation work can be extremely difficult and stressful for everyone involved; especially if the contractor is not prepared and organized. We have made every effort to streamline this process for you, and make it easy, fun and affordable.