Design Process

When you hire Susan Scarlet-Macaw, you are not just buying a set of construction plans.

You are purchasing the undivided attention of a professional with years of experience, knowledge, and creativity.

Drop me a line right now to talk about your project.

show me the flow chart

Site Visit

$500.00

45-Minute Site Visit + Feasibility Snapshot

Meet on site with Susan Scarlet-Macaw, Architect, to explore ideas for your next project. We’ll walk the property, discuss goals, constraints, and opportunities, and you’ll receive a concise, 1-page feasibility snapshot with photos to inform a concept design.

What you get

On-site consultation (45 minutes) focused on your goals, budget, and schedule
High-level feasibility discussion (site, zoning/code, utilities, access, phasing)
1-page Feasibility Snapshot PDF: summary of our discussion + existing-conditions photos

Great for

Home additions/remodels, accessory buildings/garages/shops, small commercial tweaks, mountain homes and hillside sites, flood or steep-slope considerations.

How it works

Before: You share the address, a quick wish list, rough budget, and any HOA/county notes.
During (45 min): Walk-through, capture photos, discuss options and risks.
After: You receive the 1-page PDF with our key notes and photos (same day or next business day).

Investment

Flat fee: $500 (applies as a credit if you proceed to Concept Design within 30 days).

Travel included within Jackson/Macon/Haywood counties; modest travel fee outside.

Reschedule/Cancellation

Free reschedule with 24+ hours’ notice. Cancellations within 24 hours: 50% fee.

What to prepare

Your top 3 goals, preferred timeline, and rough budget range
Any surveys, past drawings, HOA/ARC guidelines, or county correspondence
Access info (gate codes, parking, pets) and contact onsite

Deliverable

A 1-page Feasibility Snapshot summarizing the visit and embedding photos of the specific items discussed—perfect to kick off concept design.

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Site Evaluation

$800.00

Before investing in a property or starting design, a professional site evaluation is essential. Conducted during the pre-design stage, this service helps you make informed decisions before committing to the costly purchase of a building site.

As your architect, I will walk the property with you (and your realtor if desired) to assess feasibility and uncover opportunities and constraints.

Your Site Evaluation includes:

Site Report – identifying potential building areas and limitations
Zoning & Regulatory Review – early checks on what’s permitted and possible
Site Description & Key Features – slopes, views, access, and environmental factors
This one-time service provides clarity and confidence, ensuring you understand the site’s true potential before moving forward.

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Garage and Playroom

$2,508.00

Stock floor plan at a fraction of the price you would pay to create a plan from scratch.

We include

Floor plans indicating dimensions
Exterior elevations showing materials for the exterior finish
Building section showing construction of building elements.
Open floor plan

Plans are sent in PDF format.

Additional Cost for stamped drawings includes custom changes.

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PRE-DESIGN

This is where you tell me about your needs and thoughts about your project. I will review the county and municipal codes, the zoning laws, and the timeline for your project. If your project is a remodel, I will take measurements and scan a 3D model to start the basis of existing conditions.

SCHEMATIC DESIGN

Your ideas and my recommendations come to fruition via PDFs of floor plans and elevations. We test the ideas, start calculating costs, and respond to timelines, budgets, and likes and dislikes. I tweak it again, and after your approval and direction, we start adding more detail. I will propose a Mood Board from the items that you have presented.

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

I will provide samples to refine the schematic Design. I will send the drawings to a structural engineer if necessary, I will talk to contractors about constructability. We continue working on the design but with a more detailed sense of accuracy and materials. You will receive a color palette of your choosing with Mood Boards to zero down on the feel and look of your project.

CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS

We are off to the races! This is when I prepare technical documents with dimensions and details for the design intent and permitting purposes. The permit set is unique to your project because of the unique variables of your site, location, and personal selection of materials. This is why you hire an architect.

CONSTRUCTION OBSERVATION

Your project at this stage has a permit and a contractor and is ready for mobilization. I will represent you and be the go-to person when your contractor has questions about materials, color selection or design intent. I will be the bridge between the builder, the fabricator and the consultants so that your project goes smoothly on time and on budget. If there are changes because of the availability of material or workforce, you will be notified immediately of changes. I expect to communicate with your contractor weekly and receive reports on your project's progress.

PROJECT COMPLETION

I will collect and review the contractor's work for approval before issuing the last payment.