Got questions! Here’s some answers to the questions we hear most frequently. And feel free to reach out if you’re curious about anything else. We’re here to help!
Q: What is Design-Build, and how is it different from the traditional approach?
In a traditional setup, you’d hire an architect, then bid out the drawings to contractors, and manage communication between the two. With a design-build firm like Letter Four, everything — from concept to construction — happens under one roof. This means fewer surprises, streamlined communication, and a cohesive vision carried through to the final build. It’s faster, smoother, and often more cost-effective. Learn more by reading our in-depth blog post: Design-Build vs Design-Bid-Build: What’s the Difference?
Q: What kinds of projects does Letter Four take on?
We specialize in custom homes and select commercial spaces. Most of our work involves new builds or major renovations/additions.
Q: What if your portfolio doesn’t reflect my design style — are we still a good fit?
Absolutely. Our process is collaborative and customized. While we have worked in many design styles, your vision drives the outcome with our expert guidance. We’re here to bring your aesthetic to life, not replicate past work.
Q: Is it possible for Letter Four to handle just one aspect of my project?
Absolutely! While as a design-build firm, we believe our clients get the best value and experience when working with us from start to finish, we do make our architectural design and construction contracting services available separately.
In either scenario, you can expect the same level of dedication, transparency, and professionalism that we deliver in our comprehensive Design-Build service. We’ll work alongside your architect or builder to ensure that your vision is honored right down to the last detail, and that all of your project goals are met.
Q: How can I ensure I’ve chosen the right team?
Selecting the right team for your residential project is pivotal for ensuring a smooth process and a successful outcome. Many homeowners make the mistake of going straight to a contractor or interior designer to start their project, which is a major misstep that results in delays and unanticipated costs. Let’s look at what you should consider before signing on with any firm:
1. Consider Scope of Services Offered
We know we’re a little biased, but we recommend giving preference to a Design-Build firm like Letter Four, which provides comprehensive architectural design, general contracting, and in-house interior design services. This approach ensures that all of the phases of your project unfold smoothly, with perfect collaboration among a single team.
2. Ask Plenty of Questions in Your Consultation Session
Treat the initial consultation as an interview where you can gauge the firm's methods, approach, and experience in residential projects similar to yours. Ask about their protocols, services, and how they facilitate collaboration with you throughout the project.
Inquire about their design process, involvement in construction, the team working on your project, and their pre-design services. Ask for examples of how they've tackled challenges in past projects and how they plan to manage your project's budget, scope, and timeline.
Need help with the questions you should ask? Check out our Project Planning Pack!
3. Be Wary of These Warning Signs
Beware of red flags like a lack of clarity in explaining the design process, miscommunication, clashing styles, or a poor approach to collaboration. These could indicate a lack of experience, professionalism, or alignment with your project's needs.
4. Check References and Reviews
It’s always worthwhile to learn about the experiences of other clients. Check references, reviews, and the firm's portfolio to assess their track record in executing residential projects similar to yours.
5. Look for Compatible and Collaborative Communication
Ensure the firm values your input, understands your vision, and is open to effective communication and collaboration throughout the project. Does their communication style match yours? If you’re experiencing friction when communicating, they may not be the best fit. You’re going to be collaborating for a long time on what’s likely one of the most important projects of your life - finding a team you “click” with is essential!
If you’re looking for a way to do a “test run” with Letter Four, our Action Plan offers a great opportunity.
Q: What is Letter Four’s process and how can I prepare for it?
Not all firms follow the same process, or have a well-developed process for their projects. At Letter Four, we’ve honed our CLEAR 4-Step Process over the last 14+ years to deliver a highly organized, streamlined workflow throughout the entirety of your project. It proceeds as follows:
Step 1 - Action Plan: Gathering all information needed to layout your initial plans and budget. This includes Due Diligence, Conceptual Design, and Preliminary Pricing.
Step 2 - Technical Documentation: Preparation of all official documents that will need to be submitted for approvals and used during construction. This includes Schematic Design, Design Development, and Construction Documents.
Step 3 - Final Touches: We submit your plans for permit approval, then work on last details like Interior Design and Landscape Design.
Step 4 - Construction: After approvals are received and all paperwork is signed, we prepare a construction schedule and carry out the build according to your plans. You’ll be updated weekly, and have site meetings bi-weekly, until it’s time for the final walkthrough.
It’s best to prepare for this process by thinking through your design goals and establishing your needs. This can be done by following the guidance in our Project Planning Pack, or making use of one of our Action Plans. With the latter, you’ll have our help working through some of the early phases of planning and design, without requiring any commitment to move on to further work.
Need more guidance? Book a call to get help from our experts.
Q: What if my vision for my home isn’t clear?
Before getting started, it’s critical to have a clear plan in place. You wouldn’t go into surgery without knowing exactly what needed operating on, right? A full check-up and diagnosis is needed first. The same is true for building. A project of this magnitude requires everything to be figured out first, preparing your project to unfold smoothly and truly satisfy your goals.
If you don’t have a clear vision for your new home, it’s important that you work with a qualified professional, like Letter Four, to develop one. For this early exploration, we have our Action Plan that will help you solidify your design, including as-builts, surveys, sketches, and preliminary all-in project costs. This is the most popular package!
If you’re not quite ready to get started on an Action Plan, no worries! You can do some pre-planning on your own by following the steps in our Project Planning Pack. This preparatory guide walks you through some of the top considerations that need to be made when deciding your design goals, and even provides exercises and questionnaires to figure out your real needs.
Q: What is the Action Plan and what’s included?
The Action Plan is your project’s launchpad. It includes:
Q: Will I be charged separately for surveys and consultant reports?
Yes — while we coordinate these for you, their fees are billed separately and only when needed. We’ll always flag these in advance so there are no surprises.
Q: Do you use outside consultants during the Action Plan?
If your site has unique challenges, we may bring in specialists — like a surveyor, arborist, or geotechnical engineer — to ensure we’re building on solid ground (literally and figuratively).
Q: What’s the difference between what Letter Four does and what an expeditor or entitlement consultant does?
We handle all standard due diligence during the Action Plan. For more complex projects (like those requiring discretionary approvals or zoning variances), we may recommend bringing in an entitlement consultant or expeditor. They have deep city knowledge and relationships that can help navigate grey areas in local code.
Q: How much will my custom home cost to design and build?
It depends on size, scope, design choices, and your site. Most of our all-in budgets range from $650+ per square foot. Soft costs (like architectural design, engineering, and permits) typically range between 10–30% of the construction cost, which is dependent on the complexity and size of the project.
Staying on-budget is a top priority for our team. As a part of our CLEAR 4-Step Process, we incorporate three separate pricing phases to get estimates of your costs early, and keep projections accurate as we finalize your design and construction plans.
Want to calculate your ballpark budget before getting started? Our Project Planning Pack includes a worksheet to help you determine the total budget range, considering both construction and soft costs like design, engineering, and permitting.
Q: Why don’t you give a flat price per square foot estimate like other firms?
Every project is unique — and flat-rate estimates often ignore site conditions, finishes, and structural complexity. Our approach is more accurate and tailored to your specific needs.
Q: Is the Action Plan fee credited toward future work?
Yes! If you continue with us for full design-build services, your Action Plan fee becomes a credit toward the next phase.
Q: How are your fees structured after the Action Plan?
We use a mix of fixed and hourly fees depending on the phase:
Q: Will I be charged for things like mileage or printing?
Rarely. We work digitally as much as possible. If any job-related travel or printing is needed, it’s billed at cost and disclosed up front.
Do you have a sample fee or budget breakdown?
Yes — we’re happy to walk you through one from a similar past project, either in person or over Zoom.
Q: What comes after the Action Plan?
We move into the formal design-build contract, which includes:
Q: What’s included in your interior design services?
We help you select all permanently installed materials (like tile, lighting, cabinetry, etc.) — and even your furnishings, if you’d like. Interior design is part of our scope, not an add-on, and billed hourly so you can use as much or as little support as you need.
Q: When do interior designers get involved?
They typically join during the Design Development phase and stay on through construction to ensure seamless coordination with the architectural and construction teams and finish planning.
Q: How do I navigate the red tape of approvals so I can get a permit to start construction?
The spectrum of approvals for a custom home project can be broad depending on the location and nature of your project. Here are some common authorities and requirements you might encounter:
For a standard lot without complex requirements, a ballpark of 3-4 months for permitting and approvals is advisable. However, consulting with an experienced Architect or Design-Build firm like Letter Four can provide tailored insight into your project's approval intricacies.
You can learn more about what to expect from the Permitting process in our Project Planning Pack.
Q: Is your construction contract fixed-price?
Yes. We finalize a fixed construction price around the time permits are approved. This price reflects detailed designs, not guesswork — because we’re the same team designing and building.
Q: How is the contractor fee handled?
Our construction fee is clearly shown as a separate line item — no hidden markups or buried profits. What you see is what you get.
Q: How involved will I be during construction?
You’ll be in the loop every step of the way. You’ll approve key decisions, get regular updates, and be consulted on any necessary substitutions or clarifications. We will update you weekly on project status, and you will have access to your project “portal” at all times.
Q: Who advocates for design quality during construction?
We do. Because our architectural and construction teams work together in-house, we don’t have the usual “design vs. build” tension. Your vision is our shared priority, and we maintain close architectural oversight through every phase of construction.
Q: How soon can I start construction?
Project timelines ultimately depend on several factors:
On average, earmark 6 to 10 months from the start of your project to secure permits RTI (Ready To Issue) for projects without special approval requirements. This includes time needed to perform proper Due Diligence, prepare the design and create the technical drawings and engineering, and (if you’re working with Letter Four), perform at least two pricing exercises to confirm that the design works with your budget. These steps are covered in detail by our CLEAR 4-Step Process.
It’s important to keep in mind that the planning timeline is influenced by the clarity of your vision and budget. If you need a lot of time to nail down your design, or you request changes later in the process, you can expect that timeline to be extended by weeks or even months.
Q: When will construction start after permits are approved?
Typically, within 7–15 days of permit approval. We coordinate with you to find the best timing.
Q: Do you offer any post-construction support or warranties?
Yes — we offer a one-year warranty on workmanship and materials, plus all manufacturer warranties. You’ll also receive a “home manual” with all maintenance info and trade contacts. And if something comes up years later, we’re still here to help.
Q: Will Letter Four offer Self-Certification for fire rebuilds?
Yes! We have been approved by LA County for the Self-Certification Program and can offer our clients significant time savings compared to traditional plan check. You can find us on LA County’s List of Approved Professionals here: recovery.lacounty.gov/rebuilding/self-certification/
Q: When is soil testing required?
It depends on your lot. We may recommend a geotechnical report if there’s slope, expansive soils, or past fire damage. We’ll guide you on whether testing is advisable for your specific site.
If you have more questions — big or small — just ask. We’re happy to talk through any part of the process and make sure you feel confident and informed from day one.
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