The concept design for Heather and Grant’s lakefront home has reached an exciting milestone. It has been developed to a point where detailed drawings and preliminary specifications can now be shared with a contractor for them to generate an initial construction estimate. By leveraging our 3D model, our clients have confidently made their design choices so that there is a level of certainty in the details we can provide to a contractor. The better information we can provide, the more reliable the estimates will be. Comprehensive details such as exterior materials, room sizes and orientations, precise door and window dimensions, roof square footage, and other critical elements are all provided. Though it takes effort for the contractor to review all of this detailed material, it is the most effective way to understand costs early and align everyone s expectations.

You may ask, how is this different than what other architects do? First, we aren’t waiting until later in the process for cost estimate, which is typical, but most importantly, the level of detail we’re able to provide because of the Virtual Reality models we’ve built is unmatched. It is this detail that makes the estimate more realistic and allows our clients to make the right decision for them, their family, and their wallet. Additionally, as a safe guard, if the cost estimates are greater than the budget, we ve learned this early enough in our process that there s time to make adjustments to bring the costs in range. This approach ensures ample time for adjustments if preliminary estimates don t align with the project budget. Unlike traditional workflows, where cost estimates come after design completion–often resulting in expensive changes–we prioritize budgeting from the outset. Staying on budget is a high priority. This proactive approach minimizes surprises, enhances the overall experience, and empowers clients to make the right decisions.

This video is part of a three-part series showcasing how 2e Architects uses Virtual Reality to design, refine, and create models that enable contractors to produce reliable cost estimates with a high degree of certainty.

Virtual Reality As Used in the Concept Design Phase
Refining the Concept Design
The Culmination of Concept Design the Preliminary Cost Estimate