New Home Design QuestionnaireThe New Home Design Questionnaire is designed to help you clarify everything that’s important to you; how you live, how you want to live, your passions, preferences, needs, and goals. These details are essential for designing the home of your dreams, inspired by YOU!
It’s our job as your designers to absorb and distill all the information you provide to us from this questionnaire into a cohesive plan that captures your vision. Take your time to make sure you’ve considered and incorporated all the features and details that will really make your heart sing. You do not want to rush the designing stage. This is where the magic happens! The more detailed you are, the easier and faster we will be able to create design concepts that you love. Take as much time as you need to really think through your answers. Download and print out the questionnaire below. 
Considerations While You Go Through the Questions:
GENERAL INFORMATION
Do you have a general timeline for when you would like to start building or be moved into your new home?
Do you already own your lot? Yes / No What is the address (including lot number and subdivision if applicable)? Have you ever built a new home or remodeled before? Yes / No If Yes, how was the experience? What size is your property? Building Site Considerations: Are there slopes and subsurface conditions to be taken into account? Please describe. Are you in a HOA? Yes / No Does you property have a view to take advantage of? Are there any subdivision requirements and/or local covenants that could influence design criteria such as building height restrictions, roof slopes, setbacks, or other environmental limitations? *Note: If there are Architectural guidelines for your subdivision, please email us a copy or a link to access them. Will the home have: Well Septic Municipal Water/Sewer Are there any problems or issues with your lot that you are aware of? Erosion problems? Ecological problems? Use of Home: Will this be a primary or secondary home? If primary, do you spend long periods of time away from home, or is it almost always occupied? If secondary, how much time will you spend there and at what time of year? Would it ever be a rental? Yes / No Is this your forever home? Yes / No If No, how long do you anticipate living in the home? _______ Are you designing it with re-sale in mind, or as an investment property? Yes / No What level of wheelchair accessibility are you concerned with? (circle one) None Entire Home Just These Rooms:_______ Do you need a stair lift or elevator, or need to plan for a future one? Yes / No Project Scope: How much heated square footage do you anticipate needing? Lower Level _______ First floor _______ Second floor _______ How much total under roof square footage do you anticipate having, including the heated, unheated, unfinished, garages, porches, etc.? *NOTE: We highly recommend that you measure the sizes of the rooms you have in your existing home to determine if they meet your needs or could be adjusted to better suit you. Ceiling heights required for each floor level? First Floor_______ Second Floor _______ Third Floor_______ Basement/Lower Level_______ What will your home be built on? Crawl Space Slab Basement Number of Bedrooms including Master Bedroom (circle one) Two bedrooms Two bedrooms with optional office/third bedroom Three bedrooms Three bedrooms with optional office/fourth bedroom Four bedrooms Four bedrooms with optional office/fifth bedroom Five or more bedrooms (Put desired number above 5): ____________ How many Full Baths would you like? _______ Half Baths? _______ Will there be multiple Laundry areas? Yes / No On which floor(s) do you want the Laundry Room(s)? _______ Desired Spaces for Inside of Home (circle all that apply and label which floor you would prefer each room ex. 1st, 2nd, Bsmt): Family Room/Den Study Breakfast Area 2nd Kitchen Sunroom Outdoor/Summer Kitchen Rec. Room Home Gym Nursery Powder Room Laundry Room Wet Bar Theater/Media Room Game Room Walk-In Pantry/Scullery Wine Room/Cellar Bonus/Play Room Library Work Area Utility Room Studio Covered Porch Attached Garage Detached Garage Pool House Basement Terrace Bunk Room Home Office #1 Home Office #2 In-Law Suite Granny Flat / ADU Garden Room Other _______ Desired Spaces for Outside of Home (circle all that apply): Basketball Court (outdoor) Two-car Garage Tennis Court(s) Two 2-car Garages Dock Three-car Garage Outdoor Living Seating Four-car Garage Basement Terrace Attached Garage Granny Flat / ADU Detached Garage Summer Kitchen Screened-in Porch Outdoor Fireplace Balcony(ies) Firepit Veranda(s) Private Pool Pergola Hot Tub Front Porch Pool Cabana Back Porch Pool House Wrap-around Porch Putting Green Multi-Level Porches Car Port Covered Porch Nursery Work Area Other _____________ Do you imagine any future additions to the home that would require planning for expansion? PIPPIN YOU-INSPIRED DISCOVERY PROCESS
The following sections focus on ways we can bring you the most value in order to design a home that is truly inspired by YOU, for YOU!
VALUE ENHANCER #1: FINANCES & DESIRES
Budget:
What is your budget goal for your home and for the overall project? (choose one or more parameters)
*NOTE: The building industry has been experiencing an elevated cost of materials and labor shortages for years. These factors have recently been exacerbated by the pandemic. Your home construction costs are likely to be higher than you initially anticipate. We often design homes that are planned for future additional phase(s), allowing you time to save more capital and continue adding on when the time and bank account are right. Is this something you might be interested in? Yes / No / Maybe Architectural Desires: What home styles are you influenced by and find attractive? Modern Farmhouse Lake Cottage/Cabin Mountain Lodge Craftsman Contemporary/Modern French Country Asian Inspired Cape Cod Colonial Mediterranean Southwestern Victorian Prairie Transitional Shed Other _______ Which ONE style do you want to be the focus of your new home? What style(s) do you particularly DISLIKE? For the main living areas, do you prefer an open floor plan, rooms physically separated from one another, or spaces visually separated with architectural features? Architectural Features: What exterior and interior features are you interested in? Exterior: Exterior Brackets Exterior Columns Deep Overhangs Double Fascia Boards Exposed Rafter Tails Exposed Rafters in Porch Gabel Roof End Details Floor Finish on Porches Ceiling Finish on Porches Railing Style_______ Column Style_______ Other_______ Interior: Column Style_______ Ceiling Beams Bi-Folding Glass Door Arched Openings Barn Doors Pocket Doors Built-ins Tray Ceilings Stone Accents Art Niches Wood Ceilings Cove Lighting Vaulted/Cathedral Ceilings Other_______ List which rooms you want these features located in. Exterior Finish Materials: Wood Siding Fiber Cement Siding Horizontal Lines Vertical Lines Stucco Stone (real or cultured) Shakes Vinyl Concrete Other_______ Entry features of your home: Do you want a ‘WOW’ factor entry exterior? Yes / No Or do you prefer a more understated entry exterior? Yes / No Which entry door type do you prefer? Double Door Single Door If single door, do you want a regular 36” door or an over-sized width door? Do you want sidelights? Yes / No Foyer: Which kind of Foyer do you prefer? A wide welcoming Foyer A small simple Foyer Do you want a coats closet in or accessible to the Foyer? Is a view through the home upon entry into the Foyer important to you, or do you prefer more privacy with no view through the home from the Foyer? Do you like to view stairs from your Foyer? Yes / No Do you prefer a back staircase in the Garage/Drop Zone entry? Yes / No Additional comments about the Foyer? Kitchen: What views do you desire for the kitchen/cooking areas? Do you want your sink located at a window? Yes / No Do you spend a lot of time in the kitchen? Yes / No / Sometimes Do you eat out most of the time? Yes / No / Sometimes How many household members cook? If multiple cooks, do you all like to cook together? Do you want multiple prep stations? Are there any specific needs to be addressed in the kitchen? (height limitations, left-handedness, children’s small hands, accessible, etc.) Do you desire any of the following in your main Kitchen: ______Dishwasher: How many? _______ ______Separate cook top: Gas Electric Downdraft Updraft ______Oven/cook top combination ______Double ovens ______Refrigerator(s): Built-in ______Standard Freezer: Part of refrigerator Separate Unit ______Second Sink (Prep Sink) ______Architectural-type stove hood ______Walk-in Pantry/Scullery ______Cabinet style Pantry ______Pot/Pan Storage Drawers ______Open Shelving ______Wine Storage / Cooler ______Wet Bar ______Island with seating – number of stools 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 ______Island with appliances or fixtures ______Island without appliances or fixtures ______Peninsula ______Disposal ______Trash compactor ______Icemaker ______Microwave ______Other_______ What secondary activities would likely take place in your kitchen? Eating Computer Kids’ projects Laundry Hobbies Growing plants Study TV/radio Sewing Planning Desk Other: _______ Do you grill outside? Yes / No If so, how often? Do you want a Summer Kitchen outside? Yes / No If so, what are the features/appliances you want included? Grill Green Egg Fryer Pizza Oven Sink Under Counter Refrigerator Wine Cooler Ice Maker Beer Tap Bar Seating Other_______ Do you want a pass-through window from the Kitchen to a Summer Kitchen? Yes / No Additional comments about the Kitchen: Dining: What views do you desire for the dining areas? Where does your family typically eat daily meals? Kitchen % ______ Dining Room % ______ Porch/Outdoors %______ Other % ______ Does you family usually all eat together or do you eat at different times? Do you use a rectangle or round table? What are the dimensions of the table (LWH)? How many table seats are required? Is a separate, formal "dining room" required? Yes / No If so, do you have specific furniture pieces that must be included in this room? Yes / No If Yes, what are the furniture pieces and what are their dimensions (LWH)? Please provide photos of any large pieces of furniture. Additional comments about Dining Areas: Great Room: What views do you desire from the Great Room? Is a separate formal living room required? Yes / No What size do you want your Great Room to be? What items do you want in the Great room? Fireplace Bookcases Wet bar Window Seat Built-in Shelving Other: _______ Do you want access to the outside living spaces from the Great Room? Yes / No Do you have any large pieces of furniture or equipment that require special spaces like nooks or alcoves? Yes / No If Yes, what are they and what are their dimensions (LWH)? Please provide photos. Additional comments about the Great Room: The Master Bedroom Suite: What views do you desire from the Master Bedroom? How much time do you spend in the Master Bedroom? A Lot A Little Somewhere in Between What elements do you desire for your Master Bedroom? Private En Suite Bath Sitting Area Window Seat Outside Access Covered Porch Balcony/Terrace Fireplace in Bedroom Fireplace in Sitting Area See Through Fireplace Walk-In Closets Changing Room Make-up Area Built in Bookcases Coffee Bar Laundry Skylights Sun Tunnels Other_______ Are you early risers? (This determines solar orientation.) Yes / No / Sometimes On which floor do you want the Master Bedroom? Additional comments about Master Bedroom: Master Bath: What elements do you desire for the Master Bath? Whirlpool Garden Tub Free-Standing Tub Separate Shower Double Sink Vanity Separate sinks Linen Closet Walk-through Shower Doorless shower Separate Toilet Room Make-up Area Built-in Shelving Walk-in closet(s) Windows Skylights Sun Tunnel Other: _______ Additional comments about Master Bath: Master Walk-in Closet(s): What elements do you desire for the Master Closet? Built-in Drawers Shelves Bench Island Ironing Board Stackable Washer/Dryer Cedar Safe Access to Laundry Room Automated Hanging System Other_______ How many feet of hanging space do you need? Double_______ Single_______ Do you want one large or two separate his/hers closets? How do you want to access the closet(s)? Bedroom Bathroom Between Additional comments about the Master Closet: Additional Bedrooms: What level of the home do you want these bedrooms located on? Br #1_______ Br #2_______ Br #3_______ Br #4_______ Do you need a secondary/accessible bedroom on the first floor? Yes / No What views do you desire from the additional bedrooms? Will the additional bedrooms be used strictly as sleeping and clothing spaces, or will they be used for homework, hobbies, TV, crafts, playing, or other? Do you want these rooms to each have their own private bath, share one common bath, or perhaps one shared bath per two adjoining bedrooms? Any balconies, terraces, or covered porches from these additional bedrooms? Will there be early risers sleeping in these bedrooms? Additional comments about the other bedrooms: Home Office: Will anyone conduct business or do work at home? If so, how many people? How many people will work from the Home Office full time? Part-time? Do you want a designated Home Office room or could a guest room double as an office? Would a small office nook suffice? Will the Home Office require separate entry and other privacy considerations? Do you need a Home Office that accommodates clients? Yes/No If yes, how many clients at one time? _______ Any special electrical requirements? Any large pieces of furniture that must be considered for the Home Office? Yes / No If Yes, what are they and what are their dimensions (LWH)? Please provide photos. Additional comments about the Home Office: Basement/Lower Level: What elements do you desire for the basement/lower level? Walk-Out Basement Parents Suite Bar/Wine Room Recreation Room Fireplace Built-ins / TV Home Theater Gym Bunk Room Safe Room Mechanical Bedroom(s)______ Bathroom Covered Patio Grilling/Summer Kitchen Bathroom with Pool/Lake access Other_______ Additional comments about the basement/terrace/lower level: Storage: How would you rank yourselves? Minimalists Ordinary Savers Packrats 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 What are your primary storage needs/requirements? Yard Garden/Potting Area Pool/Lake Equipment Sports Equipment Outdoor Furniture Kids Toys / bikes Other_______ Where do you want these things stored? Garage Barn Shed Outdoor Compartments Basement Other_______ Do you like clean lines with clutter hidden from view? Additional comments about storage: Parking/Garage: What are your parking needs? Attached Garage Detached Garage Carport Uncovered Spaces Secondary Parking Area First Floor Basement Other_______ What vehicles and how many of each will need to be stored? Cars_______ Trucks_______ Boats_______ Motorcycle_______ ATV/4-Wheeler_______ Jet Skis_______ Riding Lawn Mower____ Campers/RV_______ Other_______ How many enclosed garage bays are needed? _______ What elements do you desire inside the garage? Workshop Space Work Bench Bathroom Space for Tools Space for Machinery Above Garage Apartment Car Charging Station Heated/Cooled Hot/Cold Water Ramp for Accessibility Sink Refrigerator Single or Double Overhead Doors Person Door Storage for Materials, Wood, Paint, etc. Additional Storage Other______ Do you have special electrical requirements? Additional comments about parking/garage: Drop Zone or Mudroom/Friends & Family Entry: What do you want in the Drop Zone or Mudroom entry? Coats Closet Cubbies Bench Shoe Storage Sink Pet Feeding Station/Storage Dog Beds/Kennels Dog Wash Outside Entrance Other_______ Additional comments about Drop Zone/Mudroom/Entry: Current Home vs. New Home: What rooms or features do you like about your current home? How should your new home be the same? What are some rooms or features about your current home that you don’t like? How should your new home be different or improved upon? VALUE ENHANCER #2: LOVE & HAPPINESS
You & Your Family: (We'd like to learn more about you and the ones you love.)
Please provide a list of all household members and any special needs they may have: Special considerations for now and the future? Accessibility Aging Family Member(s) Young Children (How Many?) Do you have kids now or are planning for any in the future? Yes / No Do you have grown children who will visit? Yes / No Do you have grandkids or planning for them in the future? Yes / No Adult kids returning to the nest? Yes / No Do you have a large extended family and need space for frequent guests or long stays? Yes / No If yes, how many? _______ Do you have household pets, if so what kind and how many? Are you planning for any in the future? Do your pets have any special requirements? Is privacy an important factor to you? Is there anything else we should know about you? Places Loved: Please describe any recollection of a memorable house or place that made you feel good, and why (if you know). Lifestyle: What are your professions? Desired workout type or exercise regimen? What are your values and passions? What inspires you? TV habits: Important Regular / Occasional Not Important at All Music: A Focus In the Background Not Important at All What is your favorite room in your house? Why? What part of your home do you use the least? Is your home a place to restore, entertain, or both? What other activities or needs are a priority, where do they take place, and what is required to support them? (ex. parenting, religion, or whatever activities are at the core of your daily, weekly or monthly life are important to uncover.) Are your needs and lifestyles likely to change and transition as you live in this home? Artwork/Collections: Do you have any collections you would like to display? If so, what are they and where would you like to display them? Do you have any artwork, family portraits, photos etc. you would like to display? If so, where? VALUE ENHANCER #3: FLOW & HARMONY
How does your life flow?
What are the daily routines or habits of each member of the household? Where in your house do people tend to gather and spend most of their time? Kitchen Great Room Porch Outdoors Rec. Room Other_______ How do you like to move about your home during the day? During the evening? What spaces or rooms would enhance your daily routines? Views & The Great Outdoors: What kind of connections do you want to establish to the outdoors? What natural features on your property are important to view, enhance, protect, or experience in any way? Which is your favorite? Are there any features on your property or abutting your property that you want screened from view? Are there any views that you want to achieve or avoid from a particular location or room? What outdoor spaces are important to you? Garden Pool Hot tub Play Area Gazebo Fenced areas Recreation Area Outdoor Kitchen/Grill Outdoor Dining Storage building Water Feature/Pond Fireplace/fire pit Cabana Playhouse Tennis Court Other_______ What transitional spaces are important to you? Covered Porch Open Deck Open Patio Covered Walkway Screened-in areas Other_______ Feeling: How do you want your spaces and rooms to feel? Light and Airy Cozy Dark and Cave-Like What mood do you want to create throughout your home? Elegant Understated Worldly Relaxed Lively Sophisticated Open Impressive Natural Unpretentious Traditional Striking/creative Snug/Cozy Comfortable Spacious Welcoming Romantic Other: _______ Is there a message or feeling you want the house to convey to others? What do you want your home to say about you? Is there a special theme you want to incorporate throughout the home? Are you interested in Feng Shui? Yes / No / Not Sure If yes, what elements of Feng Shui are you particularly interested in, or that you want to incorporate and where? VALUE ENHANCER #4: EASE & COMFORT
Energy & Environmental Desires:
What do you want to incorporate or learn more about? Lower Utility Bills Increased Home Value Elevator Low Maintenance High-Quality Construction Durable Construction Materials Excellent Indoor Air Quality Eco-Friendly Materials Energy Efficiency Energy Star Appliances Solar Power Energy Passive Solar/Sun Tempering Battery Bank/Generator High Performance HVAC Water Saving Features Geothermal Energy Grey-Water Systems Zoned Irrigation System Tankless Water Heater Rainwater Collection Net-Zero or Net-Positive Home (With A Net-Zero Energy Bill) Central Vacuum Other_______ How important is energy efficiency to you? Primary Concern Somewhat Important Not Very Are you interested in Advanced Framing techniques? Yes / No Learn more from The U.S. Department of Energy and The Engineered Wood Association What type of floor system do you prefer? I-joists Open Web Floor Trusses What will the energy source(s) for the home be? Solar Natural Gas Propane Geothermal Electricity Other_______ What preference do you have for types of heating? Radiant Floor Heating (Electric or Water) Forced Air Wood or Pellet Stove Gas Fireplace Wood-burning Fireplace Not Sure (Would Like to Learn More) How many fireplaces and where do you want them located? Do you favor a low general lighting level with task lighting, or a high overall level of lighting? What kind of specialty wiring would you like in the home? TV/Home Theater Phone Cable Electric Vehicle Audio Video Data Jacks Lighting Controls Security “Smart” Features Wireless Central Vacuum Sprinklers for Fire Protection Other _______ VALUE ENHANCER #5: HEALTH & VITALITY
Healthy Living:
What health or wellness issues concern you? Indoor Air Quality Fresh Outdoor Air Humidity Temperature Control Mold Toxicity Chemical Toxicity Environmental Toxins Herbicides/Pesticides Water Contamination Formaldehyde Free Materials Sick House Syndrome VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds) Sunlight Current Special Needs Future Special Needs Accessibility Physical Pain/Discomfort Aging Other_______ Are there any family members who have allergies? Yes / No If yes, what are the allergies? Does anyone have difficulty moving around due to pain, injury, or stiffness? Yes / No Daylighting: What type of windows/daylighting do you prefer? Casement Awning Double-Hung Sliders Single Hung Fixed Skylights Sun Tunnels Other_______ Do you like broad expanses of glass? Yes / No Do you like insect screens? Yes / No What is the quality of light you want to achieve and where? (ex. morning sun in the bedroom, kitchen, or breakfast nook/dining area, afternoon light in home office, sunset views in living room or Master Bedroom, dark at night in bedroom, ability to create different moods in the dining room, etc.) What spaces would you like to incorporate to improve or increase your health and vitality? VALUE ENHANCER #6: FUN & ENJOYMENT
Interests & Hobbies:
Reading Entertaining Movies/Home Theatre Music Dancing Playing Instrument Crafts/Sewing Cooking Painting Yoga/Meditation Boating Golf Sports Hunting/Fishing Games Astronomy Working Out Gardening Other _______ Do you own any equipment that needs to be incorporated for planned for in any way to accommodate any of the above activities? Entertaining: How often do you entertain? Often Occasionally Almost Never What is your preferred type of entertaining? Meals Music Games Workshops/Classes TV/Movies Pool/Lake Side Other_______ Entertaining style: Formal Informal Combination/Both Average number of guests: 1-6 7-12 More than 12 Average guest age: Adults Teenagers Children All Ages IN SUMMATION
Do you make decisions quickly or do you need time to think about things?
Do you need to see multiple options for a design solution before making a decision? What is your highest priority during the design process? (spaces, timing, views, eco-friendly, budget, etc.) Is there a particular way that you would like to work with us, or is there something you want us to be aware of or sensitive to? Is there anything else you’d like to have, not mentioned on this questionnaire that would simply “knock this design out of the park” for you? What are your “Must Have’s” in the home? What are your “Would Like to Have’s”? What questions do you have for us? THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, ENERGY, AND EFFORT!
Congratulations! You’ve officially begun laying the groundwork for your dreams to manifest into a home that is You-Inspired!
Remember, this is just the beginning step! You may decide to change your mind later about some or much of the above information, which is both reasonable and expected. Creating a home that is truly inspired by YOU and for YOU is a well-planned, enlightening, and demanding process for all those involved - it's well worth the time required and effort. We look forward to getting to know you and for you to get to know us. Our openness and communication will help create the trust required for this endeavor. We know you value our expertise and so we ask that you remain open to our suggestions and recommendations during the design process. We intend to serve you and your deepest desires with the best solutions possible in the creation of your YOU-Inspired Home! Download and print out the document below.
Our Award-Winning Homes with a View are always You-Inspired for Joyful Living! Give us a call or email us today! |
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Copyright 2020. Pippin Home Designs. All rights reserved.
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN COPYRIGHT NOTICE
1987-2023 Copyright. Jennifer B. Pippin. Pertaining to all home designs, drawings, and photographic imagery of completed designs
presented herein. No part of the contents of the design work presented on this website may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or
by any means, electronic or mechanical, for the purpose of replication or adaptation. This material is intended to provide accurate and
authoritative information about the design abilities and expertise of Jennifer B. Pippin and Pippin Home Designs.
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN COPYRIGHT NOTICE
1987-2023 Copyright. Jennifer B. Pippin. Pertaining to all home designs, drawings, and photographic imagery of completed designs
presented herein. No part of the contents of the design work presented on this website may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or
by any means, electronic or mechanical, for the purpose of replication or adaptation. This material is intended to provide accurate and
authoritative information about the design abilities and expertise of Jennifer B. Pippin and Pippin Home Designs.