Frequently Asked Questions

We provide full-service residential and commercial design, drafting, construction management, renovations and additions, and land acquisition consulting across the Hudson Valley.

Our studio is in Rosendale, New York, and we work primarily in Ulster County and northern Dutchess County — including Accord, Kerhonkson, New Paltz, Kingston, Stone Ridge, Gardiner, West Park, High Falls, Woodstock, and surrounding communities. We occasionally take projects elsewhere in the Hudson Valley on a case-by-case basis.

Every project is different, but as a rough benchmark: design and documentation generally takes three to six months, and construction for a new residence typically runs twelve to eighteen months. Renovations and additions vary widely depending on scope and site conditions.

Most of our completed residential projects fall between $50,000 and $2,500,000 in construction cost, though we work on smaller and larger projects as well. We're happy to discuss whether your budget and scope align in an initial consultation.

As early as possible — ideally before you've purchased land, and at minimum during the pre-purchase or site-evaluation stage. Early involvement lets us help evaluate zoning, buildability, and cost implications before you commit to a property. For existing-home renovations, reach out once you have a rough sense of goals and a target start window.

Five phases: consultation (site visit, goals, scoping), schematic design (documenting existing conditions, initial concepts, floor plans, elevations, and material direction), detail design (structural, construction details, finishes, millwork, lighting, and mechanical concepts for accurate pricing), permit documents (drawings for Department of Buildings approval), and construction administration (active on-site engagement through the build, from groundbreaking to completion).

Very. We meet regularly throughout design development, share progress in sketch and 3D form, and collaborate on material selections. Your input shapes the project at every stage. Clients who want a hands-off experience are welcome to step back after the initial scoping, but most of ours enjoy the collaboration.

Yes. We produce 3D models during design development so you can see the home from multiple angles, test layouts, and understand how spaces relate before construction documents are finalized.

We visit your site (or the property you're considering), walk the land with you, listen to your goals and concerns, answer questions about process and fees, and discuss likely scope and timeline. Then, if you would like to move forward we write a project proposal that lays out the scope, timeline, and budget for our services.

Both. We offer design and drafting services on their own, and we also provide construction management through completion — coordinating contractors, reviewing progress, and ensuring quality. Many clients choose the full-service package; some work with their own contractor using our drawings.

Yes, absolutely. We've produced construction documents for many projects where the homeowner has a builder they already trust. If you'd like a recommendation instead, we've worked with a number of excellent Hudson Valley contractors and can refer you based on scope.

Yes. Our drawings meet the standards required for local permitting, and we coordinate with licensed architects and engineers, as well as municipal officials, as needed. For projects requiring zoning variances or wetlands review, we help guide the process.

Changes happen. We work closely with the contractor to evaluate cost and schedule impacts, update drawings as needed, and keep you informed at every step.

Architects are licensed professionals whose training and stamp are required on certain project types. Drafting produces the technical construction documents required to build. Design combines programming, conceptual thinking, and documentation.

Plum Design Group is not a licensed architecture practice — we offer design, drafting, and construction management, and when a project requires a licensed architect or engineer's stamp, we coordinate with trusted licensed professionals.

Yes — we've designed a cidery, a vineyard event space, retail expansions, doctor's offices, and even worked with fast food chains.

Before you buy a property, we help evaluate whether it's suitable for your goals: zoning review, deal analysis, market context, and site mapping. This service exists because too many clients come to us having already bought land with hidden constraints. We'd rather be part of the decision earlier.

Initial calls, yes. But most design work benefits enormously from an in-person site visit, and we strongly prefer at least one early visit to the property.

Email us at hello@plumdesigngroup.com or call (845) 481-0879. Share a bit about your project — site, goals, timeline — and we'll schedule an initial consultation.