New Inquiries – FAQ

We receive many inbound emails requesting our services. To head off common questions before they are asked and to be more efficient, we have compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions.

 

Please read these before filling out our contact form.

 

Can we start right away, or is there a waitlist?

For residential design there is usually at least one to two of these projects on the boards at any one time.  There is much more time involved in starting one of these projects, but usually the wait is no more than a month and during this time we can get you an interview and filling out the pre-design questionnaire.

 

For dock, deck and outside living space projects, we fit these in around all other work we are doing and can usually have the initial meeting to kick off the project within a week of being contacted. Depending on lead time available, we may request that we start the process but that expectation of receiving a new design may be out several weeks. We can usually be flexible, but ask that if there is lead time, we are provided it.

 

In the end, we ask that you drop us your contact info and details about your desired design project and we will always get right back to you, at which time we can provide you feedback on our availability.

 

How do you decide which projects and clients to take on?

Through a read of our design process, you will get that we are very niche in what we provide and that we have a very defined process. This is the underlying reason Rendering Services was started.  Clients are not naturally a fit for our services under the following conditions:

 

• Clients that have already completed a design and are seeking CAD files and drawings to be produced.

• Clients that want a turnkey solution from Conceptual design all the way through working drawings for residential and want to work with the same professional during all phases.  This is an Architect and not a designer. We fit the front end of this process, but we are not Architects and we do not produce working drawings and perform construction oversight and admin functions.  

• Clients that are just looking for multiple “ideas” and are not in a place to evaluate their desires and provide these variables as part of our design process. For clients in this place, we suggest they gather their inspirational photos, desired architecture styles and specifics around their needs, like sqft, number of bedrooms, etc. Most importantly, have a budget in mind for your build. If you do not and cannot provide us one as part of our initial questions, we can suggest resources, but knowing you have a budget for your prospective design is setting proper expectations for what we design. When this process has been done, then it would be time to engage in our conceptual design services.

• Clients that are too busy to engage with all decision makers being available for the process. Establishing a timeline that is reasonable with all party’s availability to fully engage in the process is critical. If you are too busy for the conceptual design process, it is very likely that doing a design and build project is not feasible for you at this time. Maybe later when all the decision makers are available!

 

Where can we find out more information about you to see if we are a good fit?

Please look through our entire website and past project profiles. There are great tips in our write ups of past projects that will give you a feel for our fit. To give you a little more background on how we work to see if we may be a good fit for you, please look here:

 

Profile
Are Concept Design Services Right for You?

 

What does the typical onboarding process look like for full design services?

If you feel we’re aligned in our design sensibility, expectations, and general project fit, please fill out the contact form. From there, our typical onboarding sequence is as follows:

 

• Follow-up email w/ a Client Intake Form attached

• Return the Intake Form

• Interview call to learn more about your project goals, confirm we’re a good fit, and discuss which of our service offerings may be best for you

• Proposal for services (sign, return, remit payment to reserve next available spot in our waitlist)

• Kickoff email (2-3 weeks before the start date)

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Do you take on non-local and out of state projects?

Yes. It depends on the project, the type of design service, the budget, and the location.