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OUR STORY

"If you do what you love, you will never work a day in your life." - Marc Anthony

 

Some people are lucky enough to know what they are meant to do early in life. For Owner Jenni Lewis, it was clear when she was a child that designing buildings and homes would be a life-long passion.

 

A third generation designer, Jenni started using computer-aided drafting (CAD) programs when she was 11 years old. She began drafting professionally for her father's design & consulting firm while still in highschool.

 

More than a decade later, she's continuing the family tradition with Dreamcatcher Building Designs. Our focus is to help you Make Your Building Dream A Reality.

 

From adding on to or renovating your existing home to completely customized new construction designs, we help you to create the home of your dreams.

 

What Is A Building Designer?

A Building Designer is a professional that is familiar and experienced with all aspects of the construction trade. A Building Designer may offer a variety of services, including:

 

  • Residential design services for single family and multi-family dwellings (up to 3 living units).

  • Reworking an existing concept or design for functionality and building code compliance.

  • Working with you to determine the scope and feasibility of your project. This is particularly important in making sure that your project design works with your project budget.

  • Offering advice on layout design, materials to be used, site design, interior & exterior finishes, and the architectural design of your project.

  • Solving design problems in the most practical, functional, and economical way possible.

  • Providing preliminary (basic) and detailed designs, up to and including the construction plans with all necessary structural details based on your site conditions.

  • Assistance in selecting contractors for your project and/or overseeing the construction process to ensure compliance with the construction plans and overall concept of the project.

  • Explaining bid proposals and offering suggestions where applicable.

Why Hire A Building Designer?

Building a new home or renovating an existing home represents a large investment of time, money and resources. Many homeowners do not understand how complex a construction project can be until they are lost in the midst of building codes, flood design codes, design challenges, zoning ordinances, and contractor selections. 

 

Having a Professional Building Designer on your team helps make navigating your construction project much simpler. Your designer will work with you to ensure that your project design is compliant with the building codes and ordinances that apply to your site and project. All new homes and renovations in Florida are required to be compliant with the Florida Building Code (FBC), one of the strictest building codes in the United States. While complex in nature, the purpose of the FBC is to ensure that construction projects are safe and able to withstand hurricane-force winds (actual wind design loads vary by region) and flooding (where applicable). 

 

In addition to the project design and construction plans, a Professional Building Designer also provides additional services when retained, such as assistance in contractor selection, reviewing bid proposals, and construction observation. These accessory services are available to help make your construction project as simple and pain-free as possible.

 

A Lot More Than Just A Plan

The services that we offer are a lot more than just a house plan. You can buy plans for new construction homes from several different websites, often for much less than hiring a Professional Building Designer. However, there are several differences between just buying a plan and hiring a professional. The first major difference is that you usually can't modify the plan in any way, from the floor plan to the elevations, or even what materials that the home is constructed from. The second major difference is they generally aren't designed to meet the standards required by the Florida Building Code, one of the strictest building codes in the nation. Our designs are guaranteed to meet all current codes.

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For existing homes that are being renovated and/or expanded, it is always necessary to have a plan that is custom designed for your specific home. Every home is just as different as the people who live in it. We will advise you on the most efficient, cost-effective, and code-compliant ways to make the most of your existing structure, time and money.

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Besides offering versatility in the design and look of your home, hiring a Professional Building Designer also offers more options in the materials your home is constructed from. There are many different ways to construct a home besides wood frame and concrete blocks, including innovations in steel construction and Structural Insulated Panel (SIPS) products. These alternative options are generally more energy-efficient, structurally sound, and can also be more affordable than conventional construction methods, depending on your design. 

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In addition to providing flexible options and code-compliant solutions for your home design, you can rest assured that your design is specifically tailored for how you live. These features may include things like a larger kitchen for someone who likes to cook, taller doors and higher ceilings if a member of the family is particularly tall, or any other design feature that adds to the enjoyment of your new home. Part of our pre-design consultation is always to ask you the important questions about how you are going to live in your home.

 

The biggest advantage to hiring a Professional Building Designer is that our services don't stop when the plans are completed. We are with you throughout the entire permitting and construction process to assist you in case something didn't go according to the plan.  

 

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