At RDS, we believe that designing a home is one of the most satisfying parts of our work. We love building relationships with our clients and working with them to bring their dreams to reality. We want you to get an idea of what our clients think of their experience working with us.

We were recommended to this client by her builder. This project became a total remodel of the home right down to the studs. We created a design to take this small one-story Cape Cod to a much more functional two-story home. This Worthington home will be similar to the remodeled homes on either side of our client, but with its own flair. Karen is excited because this “new” home will allow her to be close to her grand kids and enjoy the walk-ability of the community. As Karen says, “I had planned to just add an addition to the back, but this is the little project that grew.”

How has your experience been with RDS – Residential Designed Solutions?

Great! This is going to be my first and only experience doing something like this. I lived in my previous home for 41 years and hadn’t planned on a project quite like this when I decided to move. Residential Designed Solutions came to me very highly recommended by my contractor, Shaffer Brothers Builders and Jim Wright, owner of RDS, is personally handling my project. After learning about RDS, I visited The Parade of Homes and was impressed with the home that their firm had designed. My builder has worked with Jim before so I knew I was in good hands.

“Jim is tremendous! He is professional, straightforward, unflappable, and has been responsive to my requests, changes, and questions. Jim even came to my current home to get a feel for how I live and use space. He then was able to take that into consideration as he designed my new home. He is always listening to what I have to say, and my thoughts and wishes have been reflected in each iteration of the design. ”

I was impressed that Jim even went with me to my new neighbors’ homes on either side of me to go through their remodeled homes so I could point out what I liked about their homes and what could be created in my home, which I really appreciated. He also very professionally represented me at the Architectural Review Board (ARB) in order to gain approval for the remodel.

What space(s) did you have redesigned?

This has ended up being a total redo of a Cape Cod home by raising the roof to create adequate living space on the second floor and putting on a large addition with vaulted ceilings on the back. Jim designed an open concept kitchen and family room, with a lovely screened in porch on the back.

What will be the favorite aspect of your new home design?

I know the open concept kitchen and family room with the vaulted ceiling will be my favorite part of the home, along with the screened porch. I will have a great deal of glass and light with a 9-foot slider, a pair of French doors, and a glass entry in these rooms. I love the fact that I’ll have nice views and won’t feel closed in.

If you could change one thing, what would you change?

I would change the cost, but that’s not a fair answer!

We’re still early in the building process, to the point we have no shingles or siding-it’s just framed. It’s still pretty early on, so I’ve been able to change some design features that weren’t going to work or that I decided I wanted to change.

I wouldn’t change anything about the final design or working with Jim Wright. I would work with him again.

What has your overall experience been so far?

Very positive. I met another team member, Dominic, when he represented me at the last ARB meeting. Everyone in the firm has been great!

What advice would you offer to someone who is designing a home?

Communicate with pictures of the design elements you’re going for. This helps the designer and builder understand that when I say “these words” this is what I’m seeing and meaning. It is sometimes hard for a non-builder to articulate a request. I wish I was more in tune with the builder lingo because there are some concepts and items I thought I was asking for but didn’t know how to say them. Whenever I haven’t known, I have asked for explanations.

Did you reach out to any other designers? If so, what made you choose RDS?

I did not. I knew the contractors, Shaffer Brothers Builders, because they have done some remodeling work for me in my current home and they have done work for at least six of my friends. I knew that I was going to work with them, and they connected me with Residential Designed Solutions.

Would you do it again?

No, but when I’m living in it, I expect that my answer will change. If I knew then what I know now, I might have thought twice about a project this large. But I love the location, the walk-ability of the area, the closeness to my family, and am really excited for this home! It’s a bigger project than I anticipated, but it is of my own doing.

I would definitely use RDS and the Shaffer Brothers Builders again.

Thanks for the kind words, Karen! We are excitedly watching the finished house come together.

Are you considering a remodel or new build? Let our designers help make your dreams a reality. We’d be honored to work with you!