What is a square foot? How much does it cost to build?
As custom builders, our work, and the cost of our work, is not described exclusively in finished square feet but instead by the details, finishes, complexity and components that are not included in finished square foot measurements. Examples include porches, garages, unfinished basements or vaulted ceilings.
As building designers, however, we need some idea of cost per square foot so that our new design will better match the project’s budget goals. We use the “factored square foot method” to try and answer the cost question while in the design phase.
See Building Costs for more information.
What happens after we decide to work together?
We generate a “Design Agreement” which allows us to begin site planning, design development, schematic plans and ultimately working drawings for your proposed new residence. This Agreement outlines proposed house size, features and a preliminary construction budget with factored square footage price range. It is accompanied by a Design Deposit, generally of $1,000. As you review the plans, you have the chance to ask questions and request changes that can affect budget or style. We might suggest that you visit one of the houses we have built to get a feel for what’s possible. Once we have addressed all decisions and selections, we’ll make a final set of construction drawings and submit a final contract price for your approval.
See our Process for more information.
Will you work with my architect?
We love it! We welcome the opportunity to work with architects. The best projects evolve when the architect, construction team, other consultants and the owner are committed early in the process and work together toward a common goal.
Our design/build perspective allows us to understand the world of architecture, and architects, and ensures that we’ll deliver the expected product. We are fortunate to have worked with a number of notable architects, both local and out of town, including the personal homes for several professors at the University of Virginia School of Architecture.
What is a "Program"?
A program is a wish list of “gotta have it,” “really want it,” and “why not ask” features that will distinguish your custom residence from a production or “off the shelf” home. Your program might include cathedral ceilings, a kitchen-family room, a cottage feel, a gabled roof, morning light, a luxury master suite, a walkout basement, whatever features are most important to you.
How long does it take to build a Smith & Robertson home?
The entire building process, from that first meeting until you finally set out your welcome mat, takes a year to a year and a half. We usually plan on 10 months for actual construction of our custom homes. During that time, you and your builder will brainstorm, problem-solve, modify, and make decisions as you complete various stages of the project. Communication is key, which is why choosing a builder you can talk to is so important.
We have a budget in mind. Is it possible to get work within a price range before we get started?
Yes. Budget usually comes up early in the dialogue, since it often limits how much of your program you can afford. It’s a good idea to determine how much you will have to spend before you meet with prospective builders. That way, your program can be honed to match that budget. But don’t leave out those “why not ask” details; some novel extras may not cost any more than standard fare! Again, dialogue is key. If we know you want something, we can try to work it in. The client must make the final decision about budget.
Does Smith & Robertson work with clients who live out of state, while their home is under construction in the Charlottesville area?
Yes. We have built a number of homes for out of town clients. We keep in touch via next-day air, email, phone calls, and weekend visits with many out-of-state and overseas clients. We routinely send photos and material samples to keep our homeowners up to date.
What style of homes does Smith & Robertson build?
We design and build homes across a wide spectrum of architectural styles. Past projects have ranged from intimate cabins to grand estates, from the classic American Farmhouse to French Country Cottage, from Colonial to Modern. We take the style you like and create a home you’ll love. And with us, energy efficiency is always in style.
What makes a home "Green?"
Today we define green building as an integrated systems approach, or whole house approach, to designing and building homes that are comfortable, durable, energy efficient and environmentally responsible. It is a close partnership between the designer, the building team and the owner to select and execute the green building components that are best suited for each project.
Do you build homes that are "Green Certified?”
With our Certified Green Professional designation each new home will meet the National Green Building Standard (NGBS) to assure your home has lower operating costs, less maintenance, and superior indoor air quality.
Our goal for each new home is to provide a satisfying, rewarding, and fun building experience. We want our customers to enjoy the process, love their new home, and appreciate their building team. We’ll do whatever it takes to achieve that goal. Bottom line – we design and build distinctive homes that please the eye and soothe the soul.
Where do you build?
We like to keep things close to home. It’s part of our high-touch approach. Our “territory” is any area within an hour’s drive of our downtown Charlottesville office. We have completed projects on larger parcels of land and in a number of developments.
Still searching for property? Get in touch if you’d like to talk about the area in general. Part of building a custom home is finding the right piece of land on which to build it, and we are glad to share what we know about different regions of Charlottesville and Central Virginia.
We also design Timberpeg and other residences for properties outside our building area.