FAQs

What is Virtual Design?

Virtual Design is another term for Online or E-Design. The entire process is done online which allows for convenience, affordable prices and a quick visualization how your home can look with updates. We provide a rendering, a design board, and a shopping list highlighting changes to make your home look its best. Seeing what exterior updates will look like before you make changes gives you the confidence to move forward, knowing the completed design will be beautiful, cohesive and reflect your style. We provide final designs that make it easy to transform your exterior – whether you plan to do the work yourself, or hire a local professional. Using our Exterior Design Plan services can help you avoid spending thousands of dollars on costly mistakes. There are no hidden fees, just a flat rate for a complete design which includes feedback from you before the design is complete, and your ability to approve or reject accessories before the design is final. 

What exactly is Exterior Design?

Allison DeMarte Design specializes in design updates for the outside of your home. Based on your input, we show you a final design for your home with everything from paint or siding colors, porch accessories, outdoor seating, lighting, shutters and landscaping, to minor architectural elements like doors, windows, awnings, dormers, and porticos to complete the new look of your home.

How does the process work?

The process is actually very easy. Once you purchase our design services, you will be asked to complete a brief questionnaire telling us as much about your exterior project as possible including your inspiration and ideas for the exterior of your home. Please be as detailed as possible on the questionnaire. We will also need a clear, high resolution, image of your home in daylight taken at eye level and straight on with the entire house included in the frame. Please don’t be intimidated by this, photos taken with a phone work well in most cases. View our photography guide for help.  When the design is completed you will receive a rendering of your home and a design board with exterior selections and recommendations as well as a shopping list you can click on to buy accessories. The exterior design process really is so fun and it is so incredibly helpful to see all the elements together. We would love to help you transform your home!

How do I take good photos of my home?

We created a photo guide page to help with this process. We need a high-res image (phone photos are usually fine) of the entire front of your home taken at eye level. Please be sure to include the whole house, and do not use photos from Google Maps or Zillow, etc. Please take your photos in daylight, ideally with the sun facing your house to avoid harsh shadows on the exterior. Cloudy days are actually great for photos as it can reduce shadows. We also ask for a close up photo of the front door area. Please remove items that are not permanent if you can to ensure a great “After” rendering. 

When sending/”sharing” photos directly from your phone, please choose the “ACTUAL SIZE” option on your iPhone when asked, to ensure that the image large enough (in Megabytes versus Kilobytes). 

We will review your photos after you upload them to our Questionnaire and will contact you with any questions.

What if there are several trees blocking my house?

Great question. This is common, and is easily corrected if you can add images you take of your home straight-on from in front of and behind the tree, so we can see the details of your home. Even if the image is not a direct, straight-on image, it will help us to know the architectural details of the home that might otherwise be a mystery. 

What is the turnaround time for my design?

When you check out, you can choose either “standard delivery” which is 4 weeks, or a “rush delivery” which is 2 weeks (includes a rush fee). 

Do you offer revisions on designs?

We avoid revisions by including you in the process, ensuring that the design will meet your expectations and vision for your home. In addition to the initial questionnaire, we will share the design in it’s initial stages to make sure we are on the right track, and at this point, revisions may be incorporated, and accessories may be approved or rejected to be replaced with different styles. Our goal is to create an exterior design plan you can’t wait to implement!

How do I complete the design questionnaire? What does it include?

After you purchase our service, you will be emailed the Questionnaire  to complete when its convenient for you. You will be asked about the style of your home, your neighborhood, and your favorite exterior looks. Because there are so many different ways to talk about design and architectural styles for home exteriors, we include labeled photos to clarify what we call certain architectural styles, so we are certain to all be on the same page. You will also have the opportunity to link any Pinterest boards, websites or photos that I can use for inspiration. The more you share with us, the better!

If you forget to complete the Questionnaire, I will email you a reminder link asking you to compete it before I can begin your design.

Do you offer in-person or on-site consultations?

No, we are a 100% virtual company and can work with clients in any location. We are available to discuss projects via email, phone, video chat and text.

What if I forget to include something on the questionnaire?

We recommend taking your time and thoughtfully completing the questionnaire. This is how we get to know you, your style and your likes and dislikes. Share your vision with us for your dream home exterior. If you do forget something, it is not a problem, please email us as soon as you remember at (Allison@allisondemartedesign.com).

Can you work within Neighborhood HOA Covenant, or Historical Building requirements?

Yes! We are happy to comply with your HOA, covenant, or historical guidelines. Please confirm that you need to comply with certain requirements on the questionnaire (there is a question about this), and upload or write out the requirements in your design questionnaire. you may also email us a copy directly once your questionnaire is completed. We will reach out with any questions.

Do you offer blueprints for exterior design structures?

No, a home exterior may include elements that require the expertise of several different trade professionals to create or change. We cannot provide detailed construction plans that cover all the various parts of an update as we are not we are not architects, contractors or structural engineers. Our aim is to provide you with a design plan for the entire exterior of your home that creates a cohesive look that aligns with your vision. Our plan becomes an overall guide for the entire exterior project, allowing you to choose to use a general contractor to execute the plan, or various local professionals for various parts of the update, or do the work yourself to realize the design. We recommend hiring local professional for best results.

What are your turnaround times?

You can expect to receive the first draft of your first design between 2-3 weeks from purchase, and the complete design at about 4 weeks. For rush delivery, this is process is expedited. 

Can you recommend painters or contractors?

No, since we are not always local to our clients, we cannot recommend businesses. From experience, we recommend that you interview at least 3 contractors and if possible work with companies that you have been referred to by friends, family, and neighbors. We have found that the best way to find trusted professionals is through a friend/family referral. There are many apps that can help with this, one being an app called “Thumbtack” that can be used to read reviews and contact local professionals to help with your project. Always check a professional’s references before beginning work.

Where can I purchase your recommended accessories?

Included with your design board and home rendering is a clickable shopping list of everything included in the plan, all easily purchased at major retailers you trust online.

Can you design my Backyard or Pool area?

Absolutely, we can do a visual rendering of your back exterior; however, we do not design deck structures.