Our Process

From our initial meeting through scheduling construction of your custom design build project, HIGH DESIGN is transparent about our process. We make sure to listen and understand our clients’ concerns, integrate their needs and desires into a cohesive design and build plan, and make sure to get client sign off on budget and schematics and any adjustments needed throughout the project. Whether we’re working with a client to build a custom home in Arlington VA, a home addition in Alexandria VA, or remodeling several rooms in Washington DC, HIGH DESIGN gives their clients our utmost attention and professionalism.

how can we help turn your remodeling dreams into a reality? During this time, our skilled team members will listen and determine what is not working at your current home and how we can help. We will then make our way to your house to further evaluate the full scope of your project. With our expertise, along with your needs in mind, we will begin to determine a price point and schedule that is specific to the work that you would like to accomplish.

The Schematic Design Agreement (SDA) answers the three most important questions our homeowners ask, “What could it look like? How long will it take? How much will it cost?” We will provide you with three different and unique design options that address your specific needs and wants. Each design will include approximate costing and scheduling based on our extensive experience with projects of similar size and scope, all at your very first meeting. Our entire team will collaborate and collect all necessary information to make sure that you are receiving the best designs that align with your goals.

The Design + Build Agreement (DBA) allows us to combine exciting options from the SDA, and with your feedback, tweak them into one cohesive masterpiece. You will partner with our in-house designer to select each fixture, finish, and construction detail with near-constant budget updates. Each item needed to complete your project is carefully addressed, creating an interrelated and connected project design. With any options you’ve asked us to include, the entire buildable project is laid out in a detailed construction proposal, incorporating every part and piece of your design into a construction-ready document, awaiting your signature!

We finalize plans with structural and engineering details, and then submit for permits. During this waiting period, we’ll be coordinating and ordering long lead time items, such as cabinetry and windows. Once permits are approved, we can begin crafting your project. You’ll be working with one of our extraordinary Project Managers who will be overseeing our crew and the construction on your home from beginning to end; making sure that we are treating your space with the utmost care. They will meet with you weekly to update you on our completion — on time and on budget.

HIGH DESIGN standard is to nurture our relationship and to maintain the items from your recently completed project. With our one-year warranty, we look forward to meeting again and taking care of any specifics that need additional attention. When you become a HIGH DESIGN client, you become like family.