FAQs
What kind of design do you do?
Residential architectural design, interior architectural design, interior design and home furnishings. In other words, anything having to do with the design of your home, whether it be designing a new home or a gut renovation and remodel. We love getting brought into a project from the ground level so we can begin the journey with you at the beginning.
What does the design process look like? How long does it take?
The design timeline for conceptual design through the completion of construction documents typically spans 4 to 8 months, depending on numerous factors, including the degree of site planning and permitting required, the project's general size, the client's responsiveness to questions and proposals, and other relevant factors. At the start of each project, we create a project outline key decision dates for our clients.
Stockman Design follows a comprehensive 7-phase, 27-step design process outlined in our Design Agreement, ensuring that all parties are aware of our current progress. The seven phases include:
Phase 1: Project Initiation
Phase 2: Pre-Design Research, Consult and Design Concept
Phase 3: Schematic Design
Phase 4: Construction Documents (CDs)
Phase 5: Furnishings Specified
Phase 6: Construction and Design Administration
Phase 7: Construction Wrap, Furniture/Furnishings Installation, Photography, Client Turnover, Celebrate!
What are the costs of your services, and what is included?
I typically work on a flat-fee basis, which ranges from 3% to 8% of construction costs, depending on the size and complexity of the project. Clients value this transparent approach because it outlines what’s included, and they know from the outset what the design portion of the project will cost, from design and construction documents to ongoing design oversight and furnishings specification. The fee is paid in stages, aligned with key milestones throughout the design and construction process.
This structure includes a set number of proposal rounds and feedback opportunities at each phase, with any additional revisions billed hourly. My flat fee covers all design work, a complete set of construction documents, as-needed support during construction, end-of-project styling, and resolution of any punch-list items needed to ensure the project is fully complete.
How do we establish a budget? What’s included in the budget?
The cost of building a new home can vary significantly based on several factors, including location, site conditions, infrastructure needs, and zoning requirements. In our experience, high-end homes in the Lakes Region typically range from $600 to well over $900 per square foot as of 2025. Please note that this estimate does not include the cost of land or architectural and engineering services.
It's important to understand that construction budgets include two types of costs: hard costs and soft costs. Hard costs refer to the actual construction expenses—materials, labor, and so on. Soft costs, on the other hand, support the construction process and include items like land acquisition, architectural and interior design fees, land surveys and permits.
When setting your budget, both hard and soft costs must be factored in. To help with this, we've created a project budgeting worksheet that offers a starting point for understanding what your budget might look like and what it should include.
We believe in transparency, so we discuss fees and budget estimates at the outset—and revisit them throughout the process. Because surprises are great, but not when it comes to construction costs.
Do we need an architect stamp or an engineer?
For single-family residential projects in New Hampshire, an architect’s stamp is not required. Stockman Design, in conjunction with your builder, is fully equipped to guide your project from concept to completion. When engineering input is needed, we seamlessly coordinate with trusted engineers and integrate their specifications directly into the construction documents. In many cases, these engineered components are provided by the lumber yard supplying the materials, making the process efficient and straightforward. You can feel confident knowing that every detail is thoughtfully handled.
What’s your design style? What are you influenced by?
We’re living in an extraordinary era for architecture and interior design—one defined by creative freedom. Today, there’s no need to conform to a single style or trend. Instead, we can shape spaces that are deeply personal—homes that reflect how people truly want to live and feel.
My own design influences are layered and personal. I grew up around craftsmanship—my father is a wooden boat designer and builder—so a quiet nautical sensibility, shaped by summers on the water, is in my blood. I’m also drawn to the warmth of Alpine design: those cozy Swiss chalets that blend modern sensibilities with centuries of tradition. Japanese vernacular design inspires me too—with its refined simplicity and deep respect for space and light.
Left to my own devices, my work becomes an eclectic, soulful mix of all these influences—always warm, always welcoming. My childhood in New Hampshire, surrounded by lakes and mountains, instilled a lifelong love of the outdoors. Later, time spent in Big Sky, Montana, with its wild landscapes, craggy peaks, and windswept valleys, added a sense of scale and rugged elegance to my design perspective.
I believe in zen. I believe in color. I believe in restraint—and also in joy. I believe interiors should be timeless and elegant, but never stiff. At the heart of my design ethos is this: listen deeply. Understand how people live, what they love, and what they need their home to be. From there, the design takes shape—authentic, beautiful, and entirely yours.