Start with the basics
The goal is not to lock in the entire design on day one. The goal is to bring enough information to discuss the project clearly, identify constraints, and start shaping a realistic design direction.
Helpful information to share first
Property address or approximate location
City, county, or jurisdiction if known
Vacant lot, demo/rebuild, or major remodel/addition
Desired square footage and number of stories
Bedroom, bathroom, garage, RV garage, casita, office, or shop needs
Any survey, old plans, HOA rules, inspiration images, or city comments you already have
Questions to think through before the meeting
These questions help turn a broad dream-home idea into useful design direction. Some answers can be rough. Others may need to be confirmed later through records, jurisdiction review, survey information, or contractor input.
Lot and site information
- Do you already own the lot?
- Is there an existing home that will be demolished or remodeled?
- Is the property in a city, county island, HOA, floodplain, hillside area, or special subdivision?
- Do you have a survey, assessor map, septic information, grading/drainage info, or previous plans?
Rooms and layout goals
- How many bedrooms and bathrooms do you want?
- Do you need a guest suite, casita, office, gym, game room, mudroom, pantry, or multi-generational area?
- Do you prefer single-story, two-story, split floor plan, open concept, or more separated rooms?
- What parts of your current home do you want to improve or avoid repeating?
Size, garage, and special features
- What rough square footage range are you targeting?
- How many garage bays do you need?
- Do you need an RV garage, workshop, storage area, or oversized vehicle clearance?
- Are outdoor living areas, patios, pool access, views, or privacy major priorities?
Style and inspiration
- What architectural styles do you like or dislike?
- Do you have inspiration photos, sketches, Pinterest boards, Houzz links, or example homes?
- What do you like about each inspiration image: layout, exterior style, roofline, windows, materials, or overall feel?
- Are there neighborhood, HOA, or city design requirements that affect exterior style?
Separate must-haves from nice-to-haves
Custom homes can grow quickly when every idea is treated as equally important. A simple priority list helps guide the design and makes it easier to discuss trade-offs later.
- Must-have rooms and features
- Nice-to-have features if budget allows
- Outdoor living and site orientation priorities
- Garage, storage, RV, shop, or detached structure needs
- Privacy, views, aging-in-place, accessibility, or family-specific needs
- Timeline, budget comfort zone, and decision-makers
Do you need a final budget before design?
Not always, but you should have a realistic comfort range and know what features are most important. Size, roof complexity, garage needs, site conditions, engineering, HOA review, and jurisdiction requirements can all affect project complexity.
What should you send before the meeting?
Helpful items include the property address, survey, old plans, inspiration images, rough room list, HOA documents, city comments, and any notes about demo, utilities, septic, floodplain, or site constraints.
How this helps the design process
Good early information helps the designer understand the project faster, ask better questions, and avoid spending time in the wrong direction. It also helps identify whether the project is a new custom home, a demo and rebuild, a major remodel, or a custom home with detached structures.
Planning a custom home in Arizona?
Residential Design can help organize the design direction and prepare residential plans for custom homes, demo/rebuild projects, remodels, additions, and detached structures. Send the property address, rough project goals, and any documents or inspiration you already have.