Matching Renovation Dreams to Dollars

Wondering how to develop a renovation plan to match your budget? 

  1. Know your goals for the renovation.  What are you hoping to accomplish through the renovation?  If you are not sure about the next step in meeting your renovation goal ask about optional design services to help clarify the scope before the project gets too involved.
  2. Work with professionals to make sure your hopes and dollars match up.  Architects provide initial design concepts.  After initial design concepts are developed order of magnitude costs can be provided by the Architect or by Contractors.  The design can be refined to meet your budget and address your goals.  
  3. Nail down details before construction starts. Architects develop the construction documents that are road maps for the contractor to perform the work.  Familiarity with codes and construction methods help define the scope of the renovation.  The more that is determined upfront the more accurate the pricing from the Contractor will be.

Adding charm to an Arlington cottage

Construction has started on a front porch update to an Arlington, Virginia cottage.  This home is about to get a striking one-of-a-kind front porch to replace its flat nondescript roof covering. The first step was to create safe beautiful stone steps, a defined front walk, and a crisp square flagstone front porch pad.

BEFORE

BEFORE

AFTER-  FLAGSTONE PAD NEXT STEP NEW GABLED FRONT PORCH

AFTER-  FLAGSTONE PAD NEXT STEP NEW GABLED FRONT PORCH

AFTER- S-CURVE WALK WAY AND  STONE CLAD STEPS

AFTER- S-CURVE WALK WAY AND  STONE CLAD STEPS

Small Changes

Small changes to your home can have big impacts on how you live.  A small addition of a covered porch and storage shed allowed these homeowners to enjoy their backyard.  The home lacked storage for outdoor yard equipment.  The lot was a bit shallow to add the typical storage shed without disturbing the adjacent forested area.  Meanwhile the homeowners didn’t spend much time out back on the exposed patio.  With a covered roof that echoed the house’s original design the patio became a sheltering cozy retreat for morning coffee and evening dinners.  Carolyn Ubben Architect PLLC can design a small change that will have a big impact for your home.

Shed and Porch Addition

Shed and Porch Addition

Shed and Porch during construction

Shed and Porch during construction

Make it Special

Unexpected design touches in your home make it special.  We can develop a customized design that meets your needs and adds that special element.  In the house on Ridge Road, Frank Lloyd Wright patterned stained glass windows on either side of the fireplace are architectural accessories that help make the family room space extraordinary.  A double sided stone fireplace between an entry hall and a family room created a space defining feature element in the Cardwell Road home and suggests the owner’s affinity for western national park lodges.   Carolyn Ubben Architect PLLC can find a meaningful design feature to make your home uniquely yours.

Stained Glass Window

Stained Glass Window

New Business Welcome

Town of Vienna, welcomes Carolyn Ubben Architect PLLC in the June 2015 newsletter.  We are pleased to be a part of the vibrant Vienna community.  The Town of Vienna is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year.  Vienna has fantastic schools, a wide variety of housing and a small town feel combined with a great location.  It is no wonder that Nerd Wallet recently listed the Town of Vienna as #4 in their list of "Best Cities for Young Families in Virginia".