DESIGN BLOG
Builder Partner Highlight: Owens Construction
At RDS, we believe that designing a home is one of the most satisfying parts of our work. We love growing our relationships with builder partners and working together with them to bring their clients’ dreams to reality. We want you to get an idea of what Owens Construction Cruise Director, Pam Shisler, thinks of their experience working with us. Together we can design and build a new home or remodel an existing one for our clients.
How has your experience been with RDS – Residential Designed Solutions?
We have worked with RDS for many years and they are our design partner of choice for when we need outside design services. Jim provides a great insight into construction costs and is a great partner when we are working through value engineering projects. Residential Designed Solutions provides realistic quotes and is almost always right within budget. They are open to exploring alternative engineering solutions and ways to reduce costs for our customers.
Porch in progress
Before
Front elevation in progress
What services do you appreciate that RDS provides?
I appreciate that Jim always comes to our design meetings with the client to help explain the options/possibilities/restrictions that have informed the suggested design solutions. He is a great asset and an experienced professional.
“Jim provides a great insight into construction costs and is a great partner when we are working through value engineering projects. Residential Designed Solutions provides realistic quotes and is almost always right within budget. They are open to exploring alternative engineering solutions and ways to reduce costs for our customers.”
Before
After
Before
At Owens Construction, we typically create and complete two kinds of design/build projects. One is designed in house and is typically a simple single-story addition, front porch, or rear deck. For those projects, we need a partner who can translate our schematic drawings into CDs. The other type of design/build project incorporates a design professional such as RDS who can develop the initial schematics with our input, and then produce the final CDs. Most of our interior remodels are handled in-house.
After
After
After
How are challenges/issues/decisions/questions handled and communicated?
We are a small company and usually work through phone calls and emails to communicate our ideas/needs/conflicts etc. Issues/decisions/questions from our clients are usually run through us, or at least guided by us. We typically like to use RDS as a professional resource.
What is your overall experience working with RDS?
RDS is easy to work with and we appreciate them as a professional, creative partner.
Will you work with RDS again?
Yes, we are working on a project now!!
Thanks for the kind words, Pam! We are excitedly watching our latest project come together.
Are you a builder in need of a home designer to design your client’s remodel or new build? Let our designers help make your client’s dreams a reality.
Our Client's Remodel Experience
Jennifer and Dave loved their Worthington home but needed to make a few changes before it would be *perfect* for their family. After walking through their existing first floor and listening to their wants and needs, Jim was able to provide several options that would add functionality to their first floor, make the best use of the space, and come in at a budget they were comfortable with. Scroll down to see what before and after project photos and read what Jennifer and Dave had to say about their experience working with our team.
How was your experience working with Jim and RDS – Residential Designed Solutions?
We had a great experience. When we reached out to RDS we were already working with a remodeling company, however, after debating forever about what walls should come down, we realized we needed a professional home designer. Upon entering our house Jim knew exactly what we needed to do. He told us he had designed many remodels for homes from the same time period with similar layouts. He confidently provided advice on how we could open up
our space and take advantage of the view to our backyard. His expertise was just what we needed at that point in our project.
Why did you choose RDS to complete your home design plans?
We saw the RDS signs around Worthington and knew he was a busy local home designer, which was the role we were missing with our remodeling team at that time.
“Upon entering our house Jim knew exactly what we needed to do. He told us he had designed many remodels for homes from the same time period with similar layouts. He confidently provided advice on how we could open up our space and take advantage of the view to our backyard. His expertise was just what we needed at that point in our project. ”
If you could change one thing, what would you change?
We wouldn’t change anything. We love how our home turned out and it was a great process.
What advice would you offer to someone who is designing a home or redesigning a space in the home?
Make sure to enlist the services of an experienced professional architect or designer. Jim confidently told us of other similar projects, which is an important indication of experience. He provided a
series of sketches for options A – E and we had a second meeting to select elements from the different designs. It was a very efficient process.
What is your favorite aspect of your updated first floor?
Jim suggested putting in large windows and taking down the walls along the back of our home to maximize the natural light, and it looks amazing. We now have a perfect view out to our backyard from both our family room and kitchen.
Thank you for the kind words, Jennifer and Dave!
We strive to create designs that will add value to our clients lives, in addition to meeting their needs. If you’re interested in remodeling your home, please contact us to today to start the conversation.
Remodel by: Pat Scales Remodeling
Photos courtesy of: Pat Scales Remodeling
Bob Skinner, Sierra Custom Homes
The success of our client’s projects depends on the builder and contractor partners that we work closely with on a daily basis. They are building the visions that we’ve helped our clients create. And we think the relationship we’ve built with Sierra Custom Homes over the past few years is a great one.
2019 BIA Parade of Homes at Evans Farm open floor plan home, Delaware County
The success of our client’s projects depends on the builder and contractor partners that we work closely with on a daily basis. They are building the visions that we’ve helped our clients create. And we think the relationship we’ve built with Sierra Custom Homes over the past few years is a great one. We hope we can continue to partner on projects for years to come. President Bob Skinner reflected on his experience working with RDS.
Custom-built home exterior, Verona, Delaware County, Ohio
What projects have you worked on with RDS?
We have had RDS design several custom homes and a few remodeling projects. They are able to create designs for any project we need.
Traditional entry and stairwell, Delaware County, Ohio
Modern stairwell
Modern farmhouse exterior, Delaware, Ohio
How has your experience been working with Jim and RDS – Residential Designed Solutions?
Our experience with Jim and team has always been excellent. We have worked together several times and will continue to do so.
Family kitchen, Open concept, Delaware County, Ohio
Custom-built home exterior, Worthington, Ohio Historic District
2019 BIA Parade of Homes at Evans Farm, master bathroom, Delaware County
“Use RDS — you will be very pleased and both
you and your clients will get what has been
envisioned for a new home or remodel.”
Modern kitchen in custom-built home, Verona, Delaware County, Ohio
Modern home exterior
Modern lower-level bar
The plans that come out of RDS are easy to read and use. Jim and his team are always readily accessible when we have questions and our clients want to meet. Anything that comes up is always resolved very quickly. They are extremely responsive and always work with us in a professional, timely manner. We appreciate this!
What advice would you offer to a builder/remodeler/tradesperson who is starting to work with a designer?
Use RDS -- you will be very pleased and both you and your clients will get what has been envisioned for a new home or remodel.
Do you plan to work with RDS again?
Absolutely! We value our partnership.
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👆🏼👆🏽👆🏾 And that’s something we are very happy to hear! If you’re interested in working with RDS and Sierra Custom Homes, please give us a call today at 614.430.0027!
