Description

What this guide is designed to clarify

When planning a residential project, many homeowners feel uncertain about who is responsible for what — especially early on, before a designer, architect, or contractor is formally engaged.

This free guide provides a clear, high-level overview of how designers and contractors typically function, where their responsibilities differ, and where overlap or confusion often occurs.

The goal is not to prescribe a single “right” process, but to help you better understand the roles, expectations, and decision points that commonly exist in residential projects.

This guide is helpful if:

• You’re early in planning and want to understand the process before committing
• You’re unsure whether to speak with a designer or contractor first
• You want clearer expectations around responsibilities and sequencing
• You’ve heard conflicting advice and want a neutral overview
• You want to feel more informed before moving forward

What’s included

This guide covers:

• Typical responsibilities of designers and contractors
• Common areas where roles overlap or are misunderstood
• Decisions that usually occur before design or construction begins
• Questions homeowners should consider early in the process

The content is written to be approachable and educational, not technical or overwhelming.

What this guide is not

• It is not a project plan or scope definition
• It does not replace professional design or construction services
• It does not provide drawings, layouts, or pricing
• It is not specific to a single project

Instead, it’s meant to help you build baseline understanding and confidence as you begin exploring next steps.

What to consider next

If this guide helps clarify general roles but you’re still unsure how the process applies to your specific project, the From Pinterest to Permit: Project Clarity Worksheet is designed to help you organize your ideas, priorities, and constraints before design or construction decisions are made.

Many homeowners use this guide first, then move on to the worksheet once they’re ready to think more concretely about scope and direction.

Accessing the guide

This is a free digital download. Once added to your cart and checked out, you’ll receive immediate access so you can review it at your own pace.