Custom Home Design in Iowa City
Forma is a Custom Home Builder in Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, & Surrounding Areas
Our time-honed custom home design Iowa City process at Forma, serving Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, and surrounding areas, follows a clear four step process
Free consultation
Cost: Free
This initial consultation is a conversation, not a questionnaire. The goal is for you to understand who we are and how we operate at Forma. Additionally, we’d like to get to know you and your project at a high level: Do our values align? Does our design/build approach fit your needs well, and can our schedules fit together? These are all important questions to determine prior to signing any contracts or starting any design work.
This initial consultation is a conversation, not a questionnaire. The goal is for you to understand who we are and how we operate at Forma. Additionally, we’d like to get to know you and your project at a high level: Do our values align? Does our design/build approach fit your needs well, and can our schedules fit together? These are all important questions to determine prior to signing any contracts or starting any design work.
Cost: $2500
Should you decide to proceed with Forma, the next step is to rough out your design preferences and vision for your home. As part of our custom home design Iowa City approach, we call these “vision and values” meetings. We’ll create a moodboard where you can upload photos of houses you like, materials you’d want to include, Pinterest boards, anything that inspires and excites you. At the meeting we’ll discuss these and walk through a guided questionnaire to determine your functional needs for the home.
Coming out of the vision & values meeting, we will develop conceptual drawings, basic elevations, preliminary floor plans, and a rough budget range to go over at a Concept Presentation Meeting.
Should you decide to proceed with Forma, the next step is to rough out your design preferences and vision for your home. As part of our custom home design Iowa City approach, we call these “vision and values” meetings. We’ll create a moodboard where you can upload photos of houses you like, materials you’d want to include, Pinterest boards, anything that inspires and excites you. At the meeting we’ll discuss these and walk through a guided questionnaire to determine your functional needs for the home.
Coming out of the vision & values meeting, we will develop conceptual drawings, basic elevations, preliminary floor plans, and a rough budget range to go over at a Concept Presentation Meeting.
Cost: Roughly 3% of the budget Cost
Once the initial concept is settled, the design refinement process consists of 4-6 design development meetings over the course of 2-6 months. Here, we hammer out the minutiae of design. Master bathroom floors. Kitchen cabinets. Trim choices. All the choices that, if left to figure out once the building begins, cause delays, budget overruns, and general consternation. The work we put in on the front end here avoids the pileups there. This is a great time to bring your interior designer on board, or we can recommend trusted friends in the industry.
Once the initial concept is settled, the design refinement process consists of 4-6 design development meetings over the course of 2-6 months. Here, we hammer out the minutiae of design. Master bathroom floors. Kitchen cabinets. Trim choices. All the choices that, if left to figure out once the building begins, cause delays, budget overruns, and general consternation. The work we put in on the front end here avoids the pileups there. This is a great time to bring your interior designer on board, or we can recommend trusted friends in the industry.
The total design package costs 5% of the finalized budget number. The final design payment will be determined by taking 5% of the final budget number and subtracting what you have already paid, then billing that balance.
Coming out of the design refinement, we finalize all prints, drawings, engineering, and renders. We send out formal bid requests to our subcontractors in order to come to a firm fixed price. Once all that is established, we’ll meet to present the fixed-price number to build the home and finalize any details before we sign the contract and enter the pre-construction phase of the project.
Coming out of the design refinement, we finalize all prints, drawings, engineering, and renders. We send out formal bid requests to our subcontractors in order to come to a firm fixed price. Once all that is established, we’ll meet to present the fixed-price number to build the home and finalize any details before we sign the contract and enter the pre-construction phase of the project.
Our Custom home Designs
From Design to Build, Crafting Your Custom Home
Design
Custom Home Design
Every exceptional home in Iowa City begins with a thoughtful design. At Forma Construction, we collaborate closely with our clients to transform ideas into functional, beautiful spaces. From tailored layouts that fit your lifestyle to carefully considered architectural details, our design process ensures every element reflects both your vision and the highest standards of craftsmanship.
Free Consultation
Build
Custom Home Build
Turning a design into reality in Iowa City requires precision, expertise, and care. Our custom home building process in Iowa City combines premium materials, skilled craftsmanship, and meticulous project management to deliver a home that is as durable as it is stunning. From groundbreaking to finishing touches, we ensure every stage of construction aligns with your expectations and brings your dream home to life.
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Let's start with a conversation.
If you're considering a custom home or a significant remodel, we'll spend an hour walking through your goals, timeline, and concerns. No pitch. No pressure. You're not committing to anything. You're just getting clarity.