Two questions we get a lot from homeowners are “What makes Coastal Creek Design different from other architectural firms?” and “How quickly can you start my project, and how long does it take?” These questions get right to what matters most when tackling a major home project – finding someone responsive who can deliver amazing results without endless delays.
As a leader in residential architecture design in Charleston, we’ve developed an approach that addresses the common headaches homeowners typically face during the design process. Below are some key factors that truly set us apart and why our timeline consistently exceeds our clients’ expectations.
The Coastal Creek Design Difference – Architects and Engineers Under One Roof
The biggest difference between us and other Charleston architectural firms? We have our architects and structural engineers working together in the same office – something you rarely see in residential design.
“Having architects and structural engineers under one roof means your project benefits from integrated structural and architectural design from day one,” explains Brian Wells, owner of Coastal Creek Design. “This applies whether you’re planning new construction, renovations, or additions.”
This setup creates real benefits clients love:
- No more “design-revise-redesign” cycle that happens when architects and residential structural engineers work separately
- Lower construction costs through innovative structural solutions that support your design vision
- Faster completion with structural and architectural teams working side-by-side
- Better buildability since structural practicality is part of the conversation from day one
Most residential architects outsource their structural engineering, resulting in a back-and-forth process that can drag on forever. Our structural engineering team is involved in designs from the outset, preventing costly changes that often pop up later.
The Timeline Advantage – How the Coastal Creek Design Difference Saves You Weeks
Another huge difference is how we handle design meetings. While most firms take notes during meetings and send you revisions days (or weeks) later, we take a much more hands-on approach.
“We do a lot of drawing in front of you during the design session,” says Wells. “We bring clients in – and if there’s a builder involved, they’re at the table too – and we physically draw in real-time on our screen.”
This interactive process lets you:
- See design changes and options right away
- Make decisions faster with instant feedback
- Avoid misunderstandings through direct conversation
- Find better solutions with everyone contributing ideas
- For you as a homeowner, this means seeing how moving a door or adjusting a window changes everything before you even leave the meeting. This cuts way down on the endless emails and calls that typically stretch projects out forever.
From Concept to Construction – Our Accelerated Timeline
People always want to know: “When can you start, and how long will it take?” Our answer usually raises eyebrows, especially from folks who’ve worked with other architects.
“We can look people in the eye and say we are going to start right away,” Wells states. “Typically, a design project takes six to eight weeks.”
This faster timeline happens because:
- We start immediately instead of putting you on a long waiting list
- Our architectural and structural teams work at the same time
- Our design sessions make changes on the spot
- We have dedicated people for different parts of the project
Most firms take 3-6 months to deliver complete residential design plans. We can do it in roughly half that time because of our team setup and workflow, where structural engineering kicks off alongside architectural work once you approve initial floor plans.
The actual timeline depends on a few factors:
- How soon you can make it to kickoff meetings
- How quickly you give feedback on designs
- How complex your project is
- Whether you need architectural review board approval
The Renovation & Addition Coastal Creek Difference
We start with something crucial that others often overlook in home renovation and home addition projects: super-detailed as-built plans.
“One big factor in when we can start renovations and additions is when we can get out there to do the as-built plan,” explains Wells. “I have a team that only does as-built plans, which is very unique – nobody else seems to do that in our market.”
Our as-built process includes:
- Taking measurements of every inch of your existing home
- Structural guys crawling under your house checking pier locations
- Drone video capturing your home from all angles
- LIDAR walkthrough creating a digital 3D model of your interior
This thorough approach gives you:
- Fewer surprises once construction starts
- More accurate quotes from builders
- Smoother design process with complete info upfront
- Better visualization during design meetings
By nailing down these details early, we help you avoid those mid-construction “surprises” that blow budgets and cause delays.
The Coastal Creek Commitment
Our commitment to keeping you in the loop is another big part of what makes us different.
“The responsiveness of our staff really differentiates us,” says Wells. “They are all great communicators. We have protocols requiring updates at least once a week, so you’ll never wonder, ‘What’s happening with my design? I haven’t heard from anybody in a while.”
Throughout your project, we’re your quarterback, guiding you through each step:
- Letting you know when to start talking with builders
- Helping you figure out which contractor bid makes the most sense
- Walking you through permitting
- Answering questions during construction
We don’t just hand over plans and wish you luck – we’re partners throughout the journey.
Ready to Experience the Difference?
We’ve built our reputation as a Lowcountry leader by bringing together talented teams, efficient processes, and actual human communication. Our approach delivers fantastic designs faster than traditional firms without cutting corners.
If you’re planning a home project in Charleston or the surrounding area, come see the Coastal Creek Design difference firsthand. Get in touch today to discuss your ideas, and we’ll show you how quickly we can bring them to life.
Ready to start your project? We’re ready too. Contact us today to schedule a consultation!
