Spruce Up the Front of Your Home!

Light it up! A well lit exterior can not only provide safety at night, but also enhance the flair and drama of your home.

Summer is right around the corner and that means we will be spending even more time outdoors; neighbors out walking in the neighborhood, kids playing and riding their bikes, and maybe even some get togethers at your place. But what does the front of your home look like? Does it have the curb appeal you’d really like or could it use a little help?

At RDS, one of our Front Porch Friday Videos - Curb Appeal Tips dealt with just this topic. We’ve got sprucing up on the brain, so we wanted to share more tips to help you get the front of your home looking its best! And the best part? It doesn’t have to break the bank to accomplish it!

Front Porch:

Your front porch is the first thing people notice. Is it welcoming or will it scare people away? A well-designed and interesting front porch not only provides great curb appeal, but it invites people in! So what can you do?

• Fill colorful containers with beautiful flowers and greens and place in groups on your porch.

• If your porch is large enough, put a couple of chairs out so you can sit and chat with neighbors.

Before brick was painted.

After brick was painted.

Painted Brick:

Many homes have brick exteriors. It’s timeless and a staple when building. But does it need a facelift? Many people love the look of brick, but not the bold reddish hues. One change you can make is to paint it. Painting it will update the look and freshen up the front of your home. Choose a color that will coordinate with any adjacent siding. Two popular options include choosing the same color as the siding or a shade or two darker or lighter. 

Window Pediments (or Headpieces):

Window pediments give your home proper dressing on the outside, much like window treatments do on the inside. Window pediments come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so choosing a style that works with your home’s architectural style is important. Choose to reinforce the style of your home or bring out more of your home’s character. If window pediments aren’t your thing, or you want to do more, add shutters if they will work on your home. 

More Sprucing Tips:

Garage Door: Look at your garage door. Does it need a thorough cleaning? Is it time for a new paint color? Maybe the hardware needs to be updated or replaced. Or is it time to replace the door with a new wooden door, a door with windows, or a whole glass door? You can change the whole look of your home with a new garage door. 

Window Boxes: Window boxes are simple, yet effective ways to add pops of color and depth to the front of your home. There are a variety of styles, materials, and colors available, allowing you the option to customize the look you want to achieve. 

What’s Around Your Front Door: Sometimes it’s the smallest details that can make the difference. Replacing the hardware on the front door, the house numbers or the mailbox are easy changes to make, yet add flair to the front of your home. 

Light it Up! You’ve made many improvements and now it’s time to show it off! Exterior lighting can provide you not only with safety at night but a little flair and drama. Uplighting in front of your home can light up trees, landscape, and exterior details. Change out existing lighting for new and trendier lighting. Don’t forget to light up your garage door. 

Give your home a whole new look with just a little dressing up on the front of your home. You can choose to do a little or a lot. But whatever you do, it’s going to go a long way to help up the curb appeal of your home. Our designers would be thrilled to help you do even more and redesign the front of your existing home or design a new home for you. Contact us to get your project started today!

DIY or Pro...What to Do?

You’ve watched the DIY channel; you’ve wandered through the home improvement stores, and watched your neighbor doing everything around their home. But are you DIY savvy or do you need to use a pro when tackling projects in and around your home? Of course, here at RDS, we’re all about using a pro when you’re building a home or remodeling an existing home.  But there are many projects you might be able to do on your own. Knowing how you answer the following questions may help you decide.

Our latest Front Porch Friday dealt with this topic – DIY or Pro. But let’s delve into this in a little more detail. 

Ask Yourself the Following Questions; How You Answer Will Help You Decide

What is worth your time and energy?

What is worth it to you? If it’s a huge project, is the time away from your family worth it? Will your full-time job impact the timeline of the project? Is your family willing to live in chaos for a while? Any project, whether it’s a DIY or handled by the pros will cause a disruption to you and your family, but will a DIY cause more or less disruption? What is your stamina like? We all want to believe we can do it all, but can we? Or do we even want to? It might be better for you do the demo or prep work or finish work, and have a pro do the other parts. 

Is the reward worth the risk?

Saving money is always important, but it may not be worth it for you to do it yourself and save a few bucks. Depending on what your project is, having someone complete this project may be a better use of your money. In addition to financial reasons, you need to know your limits. Anything that carries with it the potential for causing damage to your home or yourself, or others should be handled by the pros. Plumbing and electrical are two biggies to be wary of doing yourself if you don’t have prior knowledge or experience. Ready to knock down a wall? Do you know if it’s load bearing or how to even find out? We’ve all seen DIY projects gone wrong!  If you have the skills needed for the project, or can learn a new skill quickly, then go for it! There’s nothing like being able to say that you did it yourself - if it isn’t too risky for YOU!

Do you know what you’re doing?

If you’re a seasoned DIYer, then you get what it takes to complete a project.  For the rest of us, we need to understand and be aware of all of the steps that will be needed to complete the project. We need to have all of the necessary tools available to us, whether we own them or rent them. Research is paramount for success, as well as knowing who to call if things go wrong. Hidden surprises are the worst and will not only slow your project down but might prevent you from completing it. However,  the more DIY you do, the better you will be with future projects. 

Be honest – will you finish what you start?

This is an easy one to understand. Look around - do you have other unfinished projects? Don’t start any new ones until you finish other ones you have started. In addition, if you tend to be a weekend warrior, how long will this DIY take? If it’s a huge project, do you have the time?  Start small if this is your first project and stay on your schedule! 

How long will the project take and can my family live with it?

A kitchen remodel, finishing a basement, or adding a room will take a great deal of time and energy, especially if you’re doing it yourself. How will your family cope with the project? If the DIY is a big time-involved project, you might want to call the pros. Painting, building furniture, replacing doors, changing light fixtures, or adding a deck or outdoor space might be better places to start as a DIY. 

Do you understand what permits and licenses might be needed?

Depending on your project, you might need a permit or license. Some communities require a permit to install a hot water tank or HVAC system. Some require permits for fences, patios or decks, or room additions. Pros understand permits and licenses since that is critical to their success. Every community has different rules and restrictions, so if this is more than you want to handle, then using a pro has its benefits.  But if you love working with permits and licenses, you’ve done it before, or you just want to learn how to do this, then go for it. Don’t listen to your neighbor’s advice about needing a permit – always call the city to check.

If you’re thinking of designing a home or just redesigning an existing home, call us. We are your seasoned professionals and while we won’t knock down walls for you, we’ll help you figure out which ones you can have knocked down! 

Closet Organization – Tips and Tricks

Be honest – when you look in your closet, is it as organized as you’d like it to be? Or could it use some help? Our latest Front Porch Friday video, Closet Organization, is full of tips and tricks. We want to help you get organized. We can even design a new closet for you when we design your new bedroom! 

An organized closet can lessen your stress when getting dressed and ready for your day! Recapture time as you easily find just the right outfit for that important meeting or date night. Organizing, whether it’s the kitchen cabinets or your bedroom closet is very personal, so you have to do what works for you. 

What to Do:

Evaluate the Space:

• You can’t evaluate the space unless you look at it critically with everything in it. Take a photo if you need to so you can compare before and after!
   
• Picture your closet with four zones; overhead, eye level, mid level, and floor level. Are you getting the most out of all of these areas?
   
• Where do you need more space? Do you hang most of your clothing? Or is most of it folded? Do you have lots of shoes?
   
• Take everything out of the closet and do a second evaluation. Do you have dead space where shelves could be added? Is the closet deep enough to hang something from the back of the door? Is it large enough for a built-in or freestanding dresser? 
   
• If you’re lucky enough to have a walk-in closet, can it be customized to give you even more space?
   
• Sort your clothing into keep, donate, and pitch. Be realistic and honest with yourself. Will you ever wear that dress or shirt again?
   
• If you can’t decide on certain clothing items and whether you need them, hang all of your clothes with the hangers facing in the “wrong” direction. Every time you wear something, hang it back with the hanger in the “right” direction. At the end of the season, see what hangers haven’t been turned. Maybe now you’ll see what you can really get rid of. 

Organizers:

There are a huge variety of organizers available for closets. What you choose will depend on your needs. 

• Hangers come in different sizes and materials. Slim, wide, wooden, non-slip and plastic hangers are all designed to help you make the most of your closet. Plastic hangers come in many colors and styles. These are perfect for t-shirts, casual shirts, and jeans. Non-slip hangers work well for silky material and are designed to keep any clothing from slipping. Wooden hangers that are curved are best for sweaters and jackets. Hangers with clips make hanging pants and skirts easy and wrinkle-free. Slim hangers allow you more space for clothes, especially if you have a smaller closet. 
   
• Using hooks, shoe organizers, baskets, shelves, dressers, different sized plastic bins, and towel bars provide you with a plethora of options for organizing. All you need is a closet and some ingenuity to make it work for you. 

Reorganizing:

You’ve got the organizers; you’ve sorted your clothing, shoes, and accessories. Now how can you best reorganize?

• Hooks are perfect for hanging bulky items like purses, handbags, bulky sweatshirts, or fleece jackets.
   
• Shoe organizers are not only good for shoes but also other items like sweaters or sweatshirts, keeping them from stretching out. Plus, it’s easy to see them since they are separated.
   
• In dresser drawers, use drawer organizers to separate belts, ties, socks, underwear, and bras.
   
• Roll t-shirts and stand them on end in dresser drawers, baskets, or plastic see-through bins. It takes up less space and you can easily find the one you want. Plus, they don’t wrinkle as much.
   
• A basket filled with socks or underwear is easy to pull out from a shelf. 
   
• Organize by color, function, style, and use. Keep dressy clothes in one area, exercise and casual clothing front and center, and work clothes where you can easily mix and match. 
   
• Towel bars can be hung on a wall. Tie scarves to them or hang up high-heeled shoes. They’re easy to see and doesn’t take up valuable rod or floor space. 
   
• Raising the closet bar higher allows you to hang a second bar or add shelving or a dresser underneath it.
   
• Shelf dividers allow you to stack sweaters up higher since they will be held in place.
   
• Shelf brackets can have a whole new use! Flip over a shelf bracket and sort items by type and hang with curtain clips.

The sky’s the limit with your closets! Even a small closet can be better organized. Be creative, use the ideas we’ve suggested, and if you’re ready, contact us to help you design a home (and closets) for you!

How to Prepare For Your First Design Appointment

You’ve decided you’re ready to build a new home or maybe you’re ready to redesign a room or rooms in your existing home. Our designers here at RDS are very skilled when designing rooms and new homes, but there are some things we would love for you to do before meeting with us for your first design appointment. 

Start With Measuring:

When you meet with us and say, “I want a large Master Suite, or Bathroom, or Great Room”, we’re going to ask you what large means to you. So start by measuring your existing room(s) to see what we have to work with, and how much you might want to add or change (if possible). If you’re starting with a new home, go outside where you have space and measure out what you’re thinking, or go into that room you love in your friend’s house and measure the room. Having an idea of the size of your current rooms, or what your dream sized room or home might be will help us understand your vision.

We Love Photos:

“Every picture has a story to tell” and while we love seeing photos of your children, we really want to see photos of the rooms you want to change and photos of rooms you’ve fallen in love with for a new home or redesigned space. When you meet with us the first time, having photos of the rooms in your home that you want to redesign, gives us a first look. In the same vein, having those inspiration photos from Houzz, Pinterest, your favorite sites, and actual photos, helps us to understand your vision. The more photos the better, they give us more insight into your dreams, making it easier for us to make them your reality. 

Our First Meeting:

If you’re planning a new build, we’ll meet with you at the office so we can get to know your needs and wants, answer and ask questions, and check out those inspirational photos. If you are remodeling, we typically first meet at your home, giving us a first-hand look at the space and your vision for transforming it.  

Our designers can’t wait to meet with you, see your photos (including the ones of your kids!), and get the process started to redesign your existing rooms or help you create your new home.

Check out our Front Porch Friday Video - How to Prepare for Your First Design Appointment 

It’s All About the Filters!

We all have them and it’s one of those things we might just forget about. But we shouldn’t. Just what does the furnace filter do for our homes and why is it so important to change them? Our Front Porch Friday video discussed just that. At RDS, we know how important and necessary our furnace filters are to our homes, but do you know everything you need to know about these filtration devices?

What Does the Filter Do?

• The main purpose is to protect the blower fan from dust and debris pulled in from the return duct.
• The filter keeps the quality of the air you are breathing in cleaner.
• It helps remove allergens from the air, which can, in turn, help your allergies.

 Why Do I Need to Replace or Clean It?

• A clean filter promotes proper airflow.
• Replacing the filter helps to maintain and extend the life of your furnace.
• It helps reduce your monthly gas or electric bill because the furnace doesn’t have to work harder or longer.

 How Often Should It be Replaced?

• The longer you go between replacements, the harder your furnace will have to work, so you need to know your furnace’s requirements. 
• Every furnace is different, as is how it is being used in your homes, so it might take some trial and error to get the right balance of efficiency and cost for you.
• This is dependent on the type of furnace you have, but twice a year at the very minimum. Most furnaces will need to have filters replaced every 30 - 90 days.
• Inexpensive filters should be replaced monthly, but more often if you have pets or smokers.
• Some furnace manufacturers suggest replacing the filter every 3 months, but it is important to check the filter monthly for blockage or build up.
• An electrostatic filter, the type that is cleaned by removing it and running it through a cycle in the dishwasher, should be cleaned according to the owner’s manual.
• If you don’t replace your high-efficiency filter when needed, it might end up costing you money!

 I Don’t Know What Size Filter or Kind I Have…Help!

• Check for the size and kind on the side of your existing filter, or take the filter to a home improvement store and they can help you.
• Not all filters can be purchased in a home improvement store, but can be found online or purchased through your furnace professional.
• Not all filters are created equal and come in many styles, sizes, ratings, and price points:

1. Filter Efficiency Ratings range from 1-16 (the MERV rating) with 8-11 very adequate for most homes. If you don’t see a MERV rating number, just remember that usually the higher the number rating assigned to your filter, the better filtration it has. Surprisingly, the highest rating and expensive filter might not always be the best choice.
2. Some common styles include disposable fiberglass, disposable pleated (a popular option), disposable electrostatic, permanent electrostatic, and high-efficiency pleated.
3. Filter thickness ranges from 1”- 4” and size varies with the type of furnace.

 What Else Should I Know? 

• If you have severe allergy issues, you might want to get your vents professionally cleaned and then change the filters regularly.
• Turn your furnace off when replacing the filter or working on your furnace.
• If you notice dust and hair around the filter opening, vacuum it.
• If your system gets heavy use in the summer and winter, you might need to replace the filters with more frequency.
• Have your system checked yearly by a licensed professional. They will make sure the system is working properly, no gases are escaping, connections are secure, and you won’t wake up to a cold house one morning.
• Keep the space around your furnace and all air returns clear of clutter, boxes, and furniture. This will help your furnace not only work more efficiently but keep you safer, reducing any risk of a house fire. 

 Check out our Front Porch Friday video here for Replacing Furnace Filters. 

Preparing Your Deck for Summer

Spring is finally here and we’re all thinking about lazy summer days and nights spent on our decks. At RDS, we love it when we see a deck being built, knowing what fun it will provide the family. Grilling out, sitting, reading, watching the birds, and enjoying time with family and friends, all happen on a deck. But is your deck ready for everything that will happen on it this spring, summer, and fall? As your residential designers, we’ve done the research to help you get your deck in party shape!

Structural Integrity:

A quick look at your deck, no matter the age, isn’t enough. Get under the deck and inspect the posts and beams that hold up your deck. Any chunks of wood missing? Touch the columns to make sure they aren’t soft, spongy, or showing signs of rot. Even pressure-treated wood can show signs of rot, especially in areas where it touches the ground and areas where non-rated pressure-treated wood might have been used. Don’t forget to check all railings to be sure they are still secure. Anything amiss? Call a contractor or handyman and get these problems fixed. Rain, snow, and ice can do a number on decks, especially older ones or decks that haven’t been treated, so do your due diligence to keep the deck structurally sound. 

Dazzling Decks:

The structure is sound, so now it’s time to make your deck dazzle. Clear everything off of the deck so you can see all of it. Search for boards or nails that have come loose and replace as needed. All wood decks will have this issue over time. 

Now comes the next step – cleaning. If your deck is a composite deck, cleaning is a breeze. Scrub it with a soap and water solution and removed any mildew or dirt that built up over the past year. Rinse it well, dry it and let the decorating begin.

A couple more steps are required for those of us that have a wood deck. Clean and dry the boards, maybe with the help of a pressure washer. Just don’t spray with too much pressure or you’ll take off the paint or damage the wood. 

If your paint is peeling or the stain has faded, scrape off the loose paint, sand it, prime it, and repaint. Have fun with the color! You could even paint patterns or use a different color as a border. Staining might be an option for you. It allows the grain to show through and doesn’t wear as quickly as paint does. Follow the application and care process no matter which application you choose to create your best summer deck.

Add the Accents:

Now the fun begins! How do you use your deck? Do you have shady and sunny areas for you and your guests? What mood do you want to set? 

There are many options available for you to create the best looking, comfortable, entertaining space you could imagine.  This is the place for bold pops of color, fun, colorful outdoor rugs, sail shades, umbrellas, or a pergola, and a variety of furniture – think about a big table, some low tables, comfy chairs, loungers, and seating that is perfect for kids. 

Create different seating areas that serve different purposes. Do you want a safe fire pit area? A gathering area perfect for conversations? An outdoor kitchen and bar? An eating area? A spot for the kids to gather and play?  Your own personal retreat?

And don’t forget planters filled with a variety of plants. Create a privacy wall with tall plants, add pops of color with colorful annuals, and plant herbs for delicious summer meals. You might want to plant lavender, marigolds, citronella grass, rosemary, or peppermint to keep those pesky mosquitos away. Use plants like asters, bee balm, butterfly bush, cosmos, and lantana to draw butterflies to your yard. 

Whatever you desire, you can create it on your deck!

Did you see our Front Porch Friday Video? Click here Preparing Your Desk for Summer to view it. Have a fantastic summer on your deck! 

Wood Flooring - What to Choose

The choices are endless when you are choosing flooring for your home. One of the most enduring choices is hardwood flooring. At RDS, our designers love the look and feel of hardwood flooring. Its natural beauty can go with any décor or style you choose. Nothing says warmth, family living, sophistication, or comfortable living like hardwood. It is chameleon-like, creating the feel and look you want in any room. 

There are several types of wood flooring available and as we shared in our Front Porch Friday Hardwood Flooring video, determining your needs and wants will help you make the right choice.

Solid Hardwood Flooring:

• Durable
• Available in unfinished or pre-finished wood species
• Available in many wood species – oak, maple, cherry, ash, or walnut
• Varied plank sizes and finishes 
• Unfinished is sanded and finished following installation, taking more time to install and finish to your custom stain specifications
• Pre-finished is sanded and finished at the factory, making for a faster installation
• Can be sanded and refinished many times
• It is susceptible to humidity changes

Engineered Hardwood:

• Complex product consisting of several layers
• Outermost layer is a hardwood veneer of the desired tree species
• Inner layers are made of plywood, high-density fiberboard, or a lesser hardwood
• Can not be sanded and refinished as often as solid hardwood
• Low maintenance and durable
• An excellent choice for any room in your home

Laminate Wood Flooring:

• Created by compressing composite wood
• An image of hardwood is placed over the composite to form a laminate, replicating the look, grain, and texture of hardwood
• Easy to install, most just snap together
• Budget friendly, but we suggest you choose a premium quality product 
• Not as durable as hardwood or engineered hardwood, but is resistant to stains, scratches, and wear and tear
• Wood floors are timeless and always a smart choice when building or remodeling your home.

Our designers are well versed in flooring options and will make sure your feet are walking on the best possible floors for you! 

The Demo and Remodeling of a Kitchen

Are you thinking about remodeling your kitchen? Do you know what is involved, or do you only have HGTV as your guide? At RDS, one of our clients is in the thick of a kitchen remodel and we thought we’d keep you updated and involved in the remodel. Knowledge is power, and our designers can help you navigate this process.

If you’ve been following our Front Porch Video series on FB this is the first of three episodes about the remodeling of a kitchen and what to expect during the process. If you haven’t seen our Front Porch Video series, we’re excited to have you start watching!

There are many ways to remodel or update your kitchen. Cabinets can be refaced, doors replaced, simple hardware updates can be made, or the cabinets can be completely removed, and new ones installed. In this home, everything has been removed and they’re starting over!

What You Might Find (And We Did):

In this home, the original kitchen had an illuminated ceiling like many homes from the 1980’s. A lot of light but a low ceiling of plastic panels. Removing this along with the soffits will open up the room visually. Since the lighting will change over to can lights and undercabinet fixtures, the wiring and switches will have to be reworked.

Removing soffits comes with its share of problems. Very often, plumbing lines and HVAC ducts are hiding within, so they must be relocated or at least moved so that they are very close to the ceiling. 

In this project, the remodeler, Dave Osmond Builders, had the experience and foresight to leave about 6” of space above the cabinets, allowing drain pipes and ducts to be hidden behind crown molding. This is something to know about and understand when remodeling and pipes and ducts need to be hidden.

Taking everything back to the bare bones of the room makes for a messy, dusty workspace! Doorways to other rooms need to be closed off to keep dust to a minimum. Drywall and trim debris must all be hauled out to the rented dumpster in the driveway.

How does the flooring look? In this home, a tile floor is being removed. There are many flooring options, but these clients chose a site finished hardwood that will be ¾” thick. You could also use a new tile, hardwood laminate, or engineered hardwood, each may have a different thickness and the cabinets must be placed to accommodate that dimension. You don’t want your dishwasher installed and not be able to get it out later when it needs to be replaced.

Keep checking back for more info and photos for this project. This Front Porch Video shows you all the details as this kitchen remodel begins. We’d love to work with you to design your kitchen remodel and help you guide your way through what will be an amazing transformation, no Property Brothers needed!

Kitchen Countertops - What to Choose?

When you are building a home or remodeling an existing home, you have so much to think about when selecting design options. One of the biggest and most visible are your kitchen countertops! There are so many incredible options available. The trends are always evolving, yet some continue to hold their value, charm, and appeal. 

Recently, at RDS, we launched our Front Porch Friday video series. Our first video focused on kitchen countertops and we’d like to continue the discussion in this blog. What do you need to know about the current trending countertops and what is making its way onto kitchen counters? 

Here and Trending:

 Granite:

• Every piece is unique and distinct in its appearance
• It looks luxurious which makes it a very popular choice
• It is resistant to heat, nicks, and normal use
• The larger the piece makes it harder to match
• If sealed properly and routinely, it is very durable
• It is still expensive, but slowly becoming more affordable
• A durable prep surface

Engineered Quartz:

• A manufactured stone product that is almost maintenance free
• Extremely durable making it scratch, heat, stain, and impact resistant
• Available in a wide range of colors and styles
• Being non-porous means it doesn’t need to be sealed

 Butcher Block

• Very appealing as an accent piece
• Creates a feeling of warmth
• Easy to clean, but must be properly sealed
• Sealing properly gives it antimicrobial properties, making it more sanitary for meal prep
• Can be damaged by stains and water, but can be sanded and resealed

 Up and Coming:

 Quartzite:

• A very durable surface that withstands heat
• Appearance is more like granite than manufactured quartz since it is a naturally occurring rock
• High-end look
• Needs to resealed every year or it can stain

Marble:

• Seeing more and more of it
• Natural look is comparable to quartzite and granite, but more subdued in color
• Product is very soft, making it susceptible to scratches and stains
• Needs constant tender loving care and sealing 
• Elegant look
• Expensive 
• Waterproof and heatproof

Concrete:

• Not what you find on your basement floor
• One of a kind, unusual industrial look
• It is versatile, able to cast to your specific size and shape 
• Tinted to any color, mixed with glass or tile, textured, or polished
• While it is porous, it can be sealed
• Custom work makes it a bit expensive 
• Scratch and heat resistant

Whatever you choose, your kitchen will be a reflection of your dreams for the space. Our designers would be happy to meet with you and help you make the perfect choice for your newly designed kitchen.  Do you have more questions about countertop products? Konkus Marble & Granite, one of our trusted suppliers, is here to guide you in your search. 

Westport Homes Testimonial

We would not be successful without the expertise of the builders and contractors that we work with on a daily basis. They build the vision that we help create. Our relationship with our builders and contractors is important to us. Westport Homes is one of the builders that we work with and here are a few of their thoughts about working with us at RDS. 

Name: Susan Hall, Director of Architecture, Westport Homes

How was your experience with RDS – Residential Designed Solutions?
Our Westport Homes Columbus Division’s experience has been a positive one with RDS for the last 5 years. They are conscious of our schedules and help with many aspects of our architectural needs in the partnership we have established. 

What did you have designed or redesigned by RDS?
We have had numerous master architectural construction document sets developed, options to master plans added and individual specific contracts created.

What services do you like best that RDS provides?
They have assigned one lead designer to our account that takes personal ownership. They oversee our account by knowing all of our specifications, subdivision requirements, and develop out lot specific homeowner standard options and custom options selections with great care to the details. They have even visited our model homes and like to keep up with new model openings so they can stay “on top” of our products offered to home buyers.

Who else did you use or speak with in planning the design of the home before choosing RDS?
Westport Homes Columbus Division has not used any other company for our architectural needs.

What have your needs been and what are your future needs of an architect/designer?
Our needs have been to have help in developing out our preliminary designs into architectural construction document sets, adding numerous options to our existing master home plans, and developing individual lot specific plans. Our future needs are to continue to use RDS in the same manner but at a higher volume of lot specific plan development. I also foresee using their design services for future development of plan offerings to our clients.

How were challenges /issues/decisions/questions handled and communicated?
We handle most of our communications via email. We also communicate by phone as well as meetings in person. RDS has always met our needs and been available to us during our partnership with them. In fact, with our growing volume this past year, they have added additional staff to work on our account during peak times to meet deadlines.

What was your overall experience like?
Our overall experience with RDS has been a positive partnership in meeting the architectural needs for the development of master homes plans, adding standard options to the master plans, and creating individual lot specific plans with standard options, custom options, and local municipalities’ requirements.

What advice would you offer to a builder who is having someone design a home or redesign a space in the home?
We have and will continue to advise anyone needing architectural services to reach out to RDS. RDS has been in Columbus for almost thirty years and they know the building codes and local municipality requirements. RDS is actively involved in the building industry and have the personnel and expertise to help in any aspect of providing design services.

Would you use RDS again?
Westport Homes will most certainly continue to use RDS for our architectural needs.

We take pride in the services we provide our builders, contractors, and clients. Our designers will work with you to help your visions become reality. We’d be happy to talk with you and see what services we can offer. We thank Westport Homes for their continued support and confidence in us. The feeling is mutual; they are a fantastic group to work with.