FAQ's

No. The Violet Aster does not provide architectural or engineering services. We do not offer sealed drawings.TVA designs and prepares construction documents for custom residential properties only: single-family homes, residential workshops, garages, pool houses, sheds, and other residential structures. We do not design commercial buildings of any kind.For projects requiring structural engineering or other specialty consultants, we consult with trusted, independent professionals. When required, structural drawings are prepared and sealed by a licensed Professional Engineer (PE). This collaborative approach ensures each project meets applicable codes and structural requirements.

Residential designers specialize in planning and design of single-family homes, including custom residences, renovations, and accessory structures like garages or pool houses. They are experienced in space planning, building codes, and preparing drawings for bidding, permitting, and construction.Architects are licensed professionals credentialed to design a broad range of building types, including public facilities. The scope of their licensure extends beyond residential work; in fact, most architects focus primarily on commercial, institutional, or public buildings. In the United States, the majority of single-family homes are designed by residential designers, builders, or homeowners themselves.

The right professional for a residential design job depends on the scale of scope of work, and total design budget for the project. For example, to design a 9,000 square-foot residence with a seven-figure budget, we recommend working with a full-service architect firm.Because architects are qualified to design a broad range of building types, their firms are structured to support large-budget projects, including commercial, and institutional buildings. As a result, their fees typically reflect the complexity and overhead associated with such projects. Architects often price their services around 8-10% of the construction budget, although some freelance architects may offer lower fees.The Violet Aster does offer full-service design, streamlined to deliver meticulous and comprehensive services at a lower cost than traditional architectural firms.Many architects will not take on projects under a certain dollar figure. We have no minimum budget restrictions.

Small renovations which do not alter the structure of a home or involve upgrade of utility systems generally do not require drawings. Major renovations, including changes to load-bearing members, additions to an existing building, or alterations to the home's utility systems will typically trigger a residential permit requirement. In this case, a designer or architect can help you with planning, design and construction documentation. Check with your municipality for details. Construction drawings are not only essential for acquiring building permits, but for contractors to accurately meet both client expectations and engineering requirements. Drawings are treated as a legal document in your construction contract, ensuring your home is built in accordance with designed specifications.

Most of our clients are located in the Charlotte metropolitan area, although we also occasionally work with remote clients throughout the Southeast. Residential design is an industry regulated at the state level. Therefore, for a custom home, we generally recommend working with a local architect or designer. However, pre-designed home plans are available online for purchase in any state. If you are able to build a home in your state without architect-sealed plans, we can work with you on a custom design. For the structural drawings, which include the foundation and framing plans, we recommend you hire a local engineer to design and seal the required documents needed for permitting and construction, in accordance with local regulations. Structural engineers must be licensed to practice in the state where construction will take place.

No. We design residences and produce their associated construction documents, which may be used by contractors for bidding, permitting, and building purposes. We do not build homes or other structures.