:: Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What kinds of buildings do you design?

Answer: We have been involved in a wide variety of projects, from the restoration of a 1938 Hollywood nightclub to the adaptive reuse of a 1950s movie theatre, from a private high school to medical offices, from a theme restaurant to a complete renovation of a 114 unit apartment building. We have also designed custom homes and additions to historic homes. 

Question: Are you an architect?

Answer: I am a professional designer, not a licensed architect. My construction knowledge was gained through experience in the field. My design knowledge is an accumulation of years of self-motivated study and research around the world.

Question: Why would I come to you instead of an architect?

Answer: EON Design and a licensed architecture firm can provide many of the same services. EON Design can legally design almost any residential or commercial project. One main difference is "flexibility." EON Design will customize its services to meet each client’s needs. Also, while many architects charge a fee that is a percentage of the total project, EON Design offers a variety of payment options. We also offer a wide array of services. EON Design can consult, produce renderings and models, do presentations, complete building plans, and/or walk plans through plan-check. The EON Design contract is open-ended. The client can request any or all services and is not committed to any long term contract. Finally, because of his background and experience, Escott O. Norton's vision may provide more options and flexibility than that of a schooled architect.

Question: What do you cost?

Answer: For most projects, we charge an hourly fee on a sliding scale based on the type of service. For example, creating a design solution on site and sketching it for the client would be a higher rate than drafting, which is fairly mechanical. The fee schedule and an estimated budget are presented and agreed upon as part of the contract, and a biweekly update is included with each invoice.

Question: Will you help me through the entire building process? 

Answer: Yes, if that is what the client wants! Although we are not contractors, we will work with your contractor as your "advocate." If desired, we will stay with your project through completion. This can be quite helpful since many of the problems homeowners experience with contractors are based on miscommunication.

Question: Do you fight with City Hall if necessary?

Answer: We prefer to think of it as polite negotiation! First, before a job is started, a preliminary meeting with city officials usually irons out major issues. Later issues that arise during design and construction stages are usually smaller and more easily remedied with followup meetings.

Question: What if I don’t like what you design? Do I still pay you?

Answer: While we work very hard to create a design that meets each client’s needs, The beauty of the EON Design contract is that the client is only committed to pay for the hours spent. Our goal is to understand the client’s desires and this usually happens in the first meeting. If the preliminary sketches are going in the wrong direction, clients have frequent opportunities to express their opinions before the design progresses too far. At any time during the process, the client may discontinue with EON Design. He/she will pay only for the hours spent up to that time.

Question: Do you design landscaping and interiors as well as the structures?

Answer: EON Design has collaborated with Landscape Designers to create exterior spaces that are a natural extension of the interiors. The connection to the natural environment is a crucial part of all of our designs. EON Design can collaborate with Interior Designers and other specialists as needed to produce a quality project.