# Designed and Built

> Design and Build Your Dream


## Posts

- [RFIs and Submittals: A Construction Guide for Owners](https://designed-built.com/rfis-submittals-guide/): Understand RFIs, submittals, and change records. Learn how to write a clear question, track review actions, coordinate deadlines, and retain current project information.
- [Interior Construction and Finish Selections: An Owner’s Guide](https://designed-built.com/interior-construction-finish-selections/): Coordinate partitions, ceilings, doors, cabinetry, and finish selections. Learn what to record, how to compare installed scope, and when to approve decisions.
- [Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Systems: An Owner’s Guide](https://designed-built.com/mechanical-electrical-plumbing-guide/): Plan heating, cooling, ventilation, electrical, and plumbing decisions with your project team. Includes a system scope table, coordination example, and handover checklist.
- [Building Enclosure: Walls, Roofs, Windows, and Moisture Control](https://designed-built.com/building-enclosure-guide/): Understand how walls, roofs, windows, insulation, and moisture control work together. Includes a control-layer comparison and questions for your project team.
- [Foundations and Structural Systems: A Building Owner’s Guide](https://designed-built.com/foundations-structural-systems/): Understand foundation options, structural load paths, framing decisions, and drawing coordination before construction. Includes owner questions and a comparison table.
- [Project Scheduling: How to Plan a Building Project](https://designed-built.com/project-scheduling-guide/): Plan a building project from early decisions to handover. Learn how milestones, dependencies, material lead times, and schedule updates fit together.
- [Construction Bidding: How to Compare Contractor Proposals](https://designed-built.com/construction-bidding-guide/): Learn how to prepare a bid package, compare contractor scope, allowances and exclusions, and resolve pricing differences before selecting a builder.
- [How to Read Construction Drawings: A Clear Guide for Homeowners](https://designed-built.com/how-to-read-construction-drawings/): Construction drawings can look overwhelming at first.
- [Architectural Design Phases Explained](https://designed-built.com/the-architectural-design-phases-a-practical-guide-from-20-years-of-practice/): The architectural design phases are the structured steps every building project goes through—from initial concept to construction.
- [Drawing Symbols & Annotations: How Architects Communicate Design Clearly](https://designed-built.com/drawing-symbols-annotations-how-architects-communicate-design-clearly/): After two decades in architecture, one truth has never changed: a drawing only works if it communicates clearly.
- [What Drawings Are Required to Get a Building Permit? A Clear Guide for Homeowners](https://designed-built.com/what-drawings-are-required-to-get-a-building-permit/): If you’re planning to build a new house, addition, or major renovation, an early planning step is checking the permit and submission requirements.
- [10 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Designing a House (Tips from a Licensed Architect)](https://designed-built.com/10-common-mistakes-to-avoid-when-designing-a-house/): Designing your own home is an exciting and stressful process. It’s an opportunity to create a space tailored to how you live, work, and spend time with family.
- [How Much Does It Cost to Build a House? A Practical Guide from a Licensed Architect](https://designed-built.com/how-much-does-it-cost-to-build-a-house/): How Much Does It Cost to Build a House?
- [Architect vs Builder: A Licensed Architect’s Guide to Choosing the Right Professional for Your Home](https://designed-built.com/architect-vs-builder-a-guide-to-choosing/): Should you hire an architect or a builder first?
- [How to Design Your Own House: A Step-by-Step Guide](https://designed-built.com/how-to-design-your-own-house-a-step-by-step-guide-from-a-licensed-architect-20-years-of-experience/): Designing your own house is one of the most rewarding projects you can take on.

## Pages

- [Project Closeout Checklist](https://designed-built.com/resouces/project-closeout-checklist/): Bring the final work, handover information, and outstanding actions into one review.
- [Punch List Worksheet](https://designed-built.com/resouces/punch-list-worksheet/): Keep incomplete work and corrections organized as a project approaches completion.
- [Change Order Log](https://designed-built.com/resouces/change-order-log/): Keep scope changes, cost decisions, and follow-up actions in one place.
- [Architect Interview Checklist](https://designed-built.com/resouces/architect-interview-checklist/): Choose an architect with a clearer understanding of the services, people, fees, and decisions involved.
- [Construction Drawing Checklist](https://designed-built.com/resouces/construction-drawing-checklist/): Use this checklist to review drawing scope, locate missing information, and record questions for your design team before permitting, bidding, or construction.
- [Bid Comparison Worksheet](https://designed-built.com/resouces/bid-comparison-worksheet/): Compare contractor proposals on a common scope before choosing a builder.
- [Construction Budget Worksheet](https://designed-built.com/resouces/construction-budget-worksheet/): Keep construction costs, professional fees, owner expenses, and contingencies in one working budget.
- [Project Planning Checklist](https://designed-built.com/resouces/project-planning-checklist/): An owner's worksheet for planning, design, permitting, bidding, construction, and closeout.
- [Architectural Design & Permit Drawings](https://designed-built.com/architectural-design-permit-drawings/): Planning a building project in the Midwest? Discuss architectural design and permit drawings with Robert, the architect behind Designed and Built.
- [Resources](https://designed-built.com/resouces/): Practical tools for planning, pricing, and managing a building project.
- [Project Management](https://designed-built.com/project-management/): Project management keeps scope, cost, schedule, and communication aligned from planning through closeout.
- [Construction Cost & Budgeting](https://designed-built.com/cost/): A project budget includes more than the contractor’s base bid.
- [Drawings & Codes](https://designed-built.com/drawings-codes/): Construction drawings and building codes can look complicated at first.
- [Construction](https://designed-built.com/construction/): Understanding the main building systems helps you ask useful questions about drawings, pricing, coordination, and construction.
- [Start Here](https://designed-built.com/start-here/): Understand the process.
- [Contact](https://designed-built.com/contact/): Have a project enquiry about architectural design or permit drawings, a question about an article, or feedback on the site?
- [Home](https://designed-built.com/): Practical guidance on design, drawings, cost, and construction from Robert, AIA, NCARB — a licensed architect with more than 20 years of experience.
- [Design](https://designed-built.com/designs/): Good design brings space, function, materials, systems, budget, and project requirements together.
- [About Designed and Built](https://designed-built.com/about-2/): Designed and Built explains how buildings are designed, documented, priced, permitted, and constructed—so you can make better decisions about your project.
- [Blog](https://designed-built.com/blog/)
- [Privacy Policy](https://designed-built.com/privacy-policy/): Our website address is: https://designed-built.com.

## Optional

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