V.HOME
ARCHITECTURE
Because your project is of the utmost importance to us
DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION STAGES IN COSTA RICA
At V.HOME Architecture, we support our clients from the first idea all the way through construction. We work in accordance with CFIA standards and municipal requirements, maintaining clear and straightforward communication throughout.
PRELIMINARY STUDIES
Objective: Understand the project, the site, and overall feasibility.
Information gathering: site visit, photos, basic measurements.
Lot documentation: cadastral plan, land-use/zoning, setbacks, easements.
Initial technical review: topography (if applicable), availability of water (AyA/ASADA) and electricity (ICE/ESPH/JASEC), access roads.
Scope and program: approximate m², number of spaces, target quality level.
Permitting strategy: pathway through CFIA + Municipality and, when required, SETENA (environmental), Fire Department, etc.
Deliverable: brief feasibility report + work plan.
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN
Objective: Turn ideas into a clear, functional concept.
Design proposal: space planning, massing, and criteria for daylighting, ventilation, and orientation.
Basic drawings & visualizations: floor plans, elevations, sections, and 3D (renders/VR) to evaluate options.
Sustainability criteria: passive strategies (shading, solar exposure, cross-ventilation) and material guidelines.
Client reviews: iterations and adjustments until the final concept/anteproyecto is approved.
Deliverable: approved concept design dossier ready to advance to construction drawings.
CONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS
Objective: Prepare the complete technical documentation required for construction and building-permit approval.
Architecture: detailed assemblies, finish schedules, door and window schedules with hardware, and architectural specifications.
Engineering: structural, electrical, plumbing/sanitary and stormwater, and mechanical (as applicable), fully coordinated across disciplines.
Technical specifications: materials, applicable codes and standards, tolerances, testing requirements, and quality-assurance criteria.
CFIA processing: preparation for the digital visa (technical review package and professional seal compliance).
Deliverable: complete, coordinated set of construction drawings and technical reports, ready for CFIA and municipal submission.
CONSTRUCTION COST ESTIMATE
Objective: Provide a clear order-of-magnitude cost reference prior to permitting and contracting.
Quantity takeoff by trade: earthworks, foundations/structure, masonry/envelope, roofing, openings (doors/windows), finishes, painting, and MEP (electrical, plumbing/stormwater, HVAC).
Unit price build-ups (APU) and quotations: breakdown of materials, labor, and equipment.
Indirect costs, contingency, and taxes: project/field office, logistics, and risk-based reserves of 10–20% plus applicable taxes.
Level of accuracy: preliminary estimate subject to refinement upon 100% construction documents and firm bids.
Deliverable: range-based cost estimate with stated assumptions; basis for soliciting trade bids and for project cost control (budget tracking, progress valuations/pay applications, and forecasting).
BUILDING PERMITS
Objective: Obtain municipal authorization to build, with prior CFIA digital visa (technical review and professional seal) and compliance with requirements of the relevant agencies.
Base documentation: signed and CFIA-digitally-visaed construction drawings (ARCH/STRUCT/ELEC/PLUMB/MEP), design reports and specifications, cadastral survey, land-use/alignment approvals, and municipal forms.
Permitting process:
CFIA (digital visa): technical review and professional seal.
Municipality: file intake and issuance of the building permit.
Related agencies (as applicable): AyA/ASADA (water service letter), ICE/ESPH/JASEC (electrical feasibility), Fire Department, SETENA (environmental), among others.
Indicative timelines: vary by canton and project complexity; account for CFIA review, municipal processing, and third-party responses (water/power/environmental).
Typical fees and payments: revenue stamps and municipal fees, workers’ compensation policies (INS), and other tariffs/processing charges associated with the permit.
Roles and responsibilities:
Owner: furnish legal documents and pay required fees/charges.
Licensed professional (CFIA): prepare and secure CFIA visa for drawings/reports; provide technical follow-up.
Deliverable: CFIA-visaed submittal package, official resolutions, feasibility letters, and municipal building permit—ready to commence construction.
TECHNICAL SUPERVISION
Objective: ensure the works are executed in accordance with CFIA-visaed drawings, valid permits, and applicable codes.
Responsibilities (per CFIA guidelines):
Site verification: confirm in the field that work conforms to visaed plans and specifications; direct corrective actions as required.
Site logbook: maintain and sign the construction log (site visits, technical instructions, tests, and key milestones).
Visits and technical reports: conduct periodic inspections and issue progress/field reports.
Quality control: review materials and procedures; validate testing and acceptance of work items.
Technical management: respond to RFIs and approve equivalent details within the project’s design intent.
Progress certification: measure and certify quantities executed for valuations/payment applications.
Regulatory compliance: ensure adherence to building regulations, permit conditions, and contractor obligations/policies (INS/CCSS).
Technical closeout: execute required certificates and minutes for municipal acceptance and CFIA closeout (including as-built documentation when applicable).
Deliverables: signed site logbook, technical administration reports, progress certifications, and closeout documentation for project handover.
CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
Objective: manage procurement, contracting, cost, schedule, and logistics to deliver the project to scope, on time, and within budget.
Procurement and contracting plan: bidding and bid tabulations; selection of vendors/subcontractors; purchase orders and contracts; verification of INS insurance, CCSS payroll compliance, and tax requirements.
Planning and controls: master schedule (critical path), S-curve, and milestones.
Cost control: baseline budget; cost control by work packages/cost codes; change orders (scope, cost, and time); contingency drawdown based on risk.
Logistics and supply: delivery scheduling; warehouse and inventory management; material traceability and receipt/inspection against specifications.
Coordination, quality, and safety: multidisciplinary coordination (ARCH/STRUCT/MEP); support to QA/QC and occupational safety compliance; nonconformance reports (NCRs) and corrective actions.
Reports and meetings: weekly meetings, minutes, and progress reports with photos; statements of account; pay applications/progress valuations; and cash-flow forecasting.
Level of definition: management based on 100% construction documents, executed contracts, and firm pricing; adjustments documented via change orders.
Deliverable: management plan, project schedule, procurement matrix and bid tabs, contracts/POs, progress reports, pay applications/valuations, statements of account, meeting minutes, and administrative closeout package.