Client Interview

General Information

This document is NOT intended to serve as a replacement for the full discussion vital to a successful identification of the many individualizations required for a custom home truly reflective of your lifestyle. However, consideration of questions and options in this section will assist you in identifying your particular needs and preferences in major areas. It should cause you to begin thinking and talking together about what architectural features, space configurations, style, and even color preferences.

The actual interview can simply deal with generalities, or can be as detailed as you prefer. In either case, once you have identified your requirements and preferences, you can then choose not to be involved again (except to receive periodic progress updates) if you wish.

For other levels of involvement, see "Approach Options", or Click Here!

Building Styles

What style home do you prefer?

When driving about, do you find yourself looking longer at the same style house?
When your looking at plan books or home magazines, do you find yourself pausing at those plans or articles featuring homes with similar characteristics?
Are most plans you admire one or two level?
Do many feature dormers have varying styles?
Are the facades firmly symmetrical or "balanced"?
Is the style you prefer more traditional than modern?
If traditional, are the houses Cottage style, English country, French Country, or Colonial?

Interior Spaces

Room Functions

Do you prefer spaces that inter-relate?
Do you have special needs to display collections, art or wall hangings?
Do you want a separate media room - or one combined with a study or family room? Do you want a full home theatre?
Do you require a home office area or a full study (or both)?
Would you like maid's quarters or an in-law suite?
Do you like "cozy" spaces or light and bright rooms with vaulted/airy spaces, or both?

Special materials or features

Do you prefer hardwood flooring or tile flooring?
If hardwood flooring, do you prefer oak, maple, cherry or exotic woods?
Do you want hardwood or carpeting in the bedrooms?
Do you prefer Corian™, Formica, Cultured Marble, Tile, or Granite counter tops? - Or would you like different types at various locations?
Do you want Fireplaces? Do you prefer Gas or Wood burning? (there are pros & cons for each)
Would you like Chair Rails or Paneling?
Do you prefer Trey, Smooth or Coffered ceilings?

Lighting

Would you like indirect lighting (in ceilings) - in living room, dining room, kitchen, master bedroom, great rooms, informal dining area?
Dimmer switches: where?
Traditional, art deco, modern, country styles? Or mixed by room?
What finishes do you like? - Pewter, brass, chrome, copper, wrought iron, other?

Doors

Flat or carved surfaces?
Brass, crystal, or brushed nickel handles?
Transom (exterior/interior)?
White, natural, stained?
Arched doorways or cased openings?

Wood Trim

Standard trim or wider with more detail?
Natural with stain; or painted?
What type; pine, oak, fir, mahogany?

Décor

Do you like...

Clean edges or rich moldings?
Arched or rectangular windows?
Multiple panes, prairie style or clear double hung or casement windows?
Transoms?
Cased openings or "rounded" corners?
Wallpaper borders or fully papered wall - or both?
"Ragged", Faux pain, or glazed wall finishes?
Painted "touches" (leaves etc., murals, domed master bath ceilings, etc.)
Color on some walls - all walls? Neutrals or Pastels?
Fireplaces: faced with brick, stone, stucco, adobe? With or without hearths?
Mantles: stone, beam, carved wood or marble, classic style wood?
Surrounds & Aprons: marble, tile, decorated tile?

NOTE: It's Still Simpler

Even if a detailed versus general discussion is your choice - your time investment is still minimized! (No shopping, coordination or style, colors, finishes, lighting and plumbing fixtures etc.) Also, all problems that arise during construction will be solved per your guidelines - with no worry or time investment by you.