DESIGN FREEDOM, INC.




Design Freedom, inc. is a full-service boutique architectural firm promoting sustainable Florida-friendly residential designs including universal accessibility. We value quality materials, modern details, and vernacular design. Serving mainly Tampa Bay, Central Florida & Southwest Florida, and Northern Virginia.


Current and past projects include an award-winning green certified home remodel, custom home, numerous mid-to-upper grade additions and remodels, in-law-suites, and accessible home and bathroom remodels.





Cathy Svercl, RA, is a registered architect with over 20 years of experience. In 6th Grade, her teacher gave her class a project to think about what they would do with their lives, including drawing up the house they wanted to live in. Cathy has been drawing homes ever since, and attended Virginia Tech, graduating with the 5-year professional degree of Bachelor of Architecture, with her single family home design thesis entitled "An Architectural Exploration of Privacy". After several internships with architects in South Carolina and Maryland (metro Washington, DC) working on all types of residential, multi family, and some commercial projects, she founded this company in 2003.


Cathy is a member of EntreArchitect, a LEED Green Associate, a member of the Florida Green Building Coalition, and member of the Advisory Board (past Chairperson) for the Academy of Architecture, Robotics & Construction at Dunedin High School in Florida. She is a trained volunteer of the AIA Disaster Assistance Safety Assessment Program. Previous memberships include Women in Architecture - Tampa Bay (Steering Committee member) and GreenHOME (an off-shoot of DC Habitat for Humanity), and a volunteer with the American Red Cross. Member of the Suncoast Chapter of Building Officials Association of Florida, and Florida Floodplain Managers Association.


Cathy is a licensed architect practicing in Virginia and Florida. She also holds architect's licenses in Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. (VA#0401013028, FL#AR93491, MD#21650, NC#17206, SC#11496, GA#RA017615). However, the business only offers architectural services in Virginia and Florida.



Architectural Services



Basic and Additional Services



CONSULTATION





  • 2 hour meeting at your home (up to 45 min from our office)
  • As-needed phone and/or email consulting, or site visits including Pre-Design and Design services listed below


PRE-DESIGN





  • Research building & zoning requirements & restrictions
  • ”Wish List” of functions/rooms, estimated budget, square footage
  • Measure & photograph existing building
  • Input survey, Elevation Certificate info, and measurements into CAD


DESIGN





  • Conceptual drawings show an overall look, sent to Owner for review
  • Development of one scheme or combination of several, per Owner’s decisions
  • Drawings include site plan, floor plan(s), sections, and elevation(s)
  • 3-D Computer images included as needed
  • Overall dimensions and materials for construction estimate by others


CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS





  • Also known as "Bid Sets", "Permit Drawings" or "Blueprints"
  • Detailed drawings with all pertinent information required for the contractor to price and build the project - these are more detailed and higher quality than “Code Minimum” drawing sets - final kitchen cabinetry design not included


CONSTRUCTION PHASE





  • Construction Observation & Evaluation
  • Site visits during construction to review overall work and progress
  • Respond to questions and clarifications about drawings


ADDITIONAL SERVICES





  • Zoning variances and HOA/Architectural Review Boards
  • Bidding services
  • Additional details
  • Additional site visits to review work and certify draws (Contractor's invoices)
  • Miscellaneous services


CONSTRUCTION COSTS





Pre-COVID, the average construction cost for a mid-grade addition or remodel in the Tampa Bay region was around $250-$300 PSF (per square foot). Since then, the cost has risen to around $350 to $375 PSF (January 2024) - please be aware that costs are still extremely variable due to shortages.


A typical Family Room is about 300-400 SF (about 15 feet by 20 feet or larger). So, expect a cost range of $105,000 to $150,000 for an average Family Room addition.


This preliminary cost estimate varies based on the finishes you choose (countertops, tile, trim, etc), and does not include such things that may increase this price - kitchens, bathrooms, bay windows, raised pier foundations, window walls, vaulted ceilings, ceilings higher than 8'-0" (standard), and metal and tile roofs - or decrease this price - decks, patios, screened porches and lanais, and garages. Always use a Contractor, experienced in the type of Project to be constructed, to provide price information.



ARCHITECTURAL FEES





Our fees are based on the level of services we provide.


During our Initial Consultation, we will discuss our Design Fees Menu which describes our fees and services in detail.


Our minimum project is $250,000 construction cost (this amount is correct as of January 2024).



Reviews from Clients & Colleagues



MULTIPLE PROJECTS CONTRACTOR





1/30/2020 - I have worked with Cathy for years she is very detailed oriented and very good at dealing with my clients on a professional level start to finish. Ask her for her menu!!! - Jamco Unlimited Inc, Contractor, September 2019, Courtesy of Houzz.com



PROJECT #15-18





3/14/2017 - Cathy was great to work with. When a lot of professionals are letting you down, it was great to work with someone who was on time, reliable and just all around professional. - Patrick O'Rourke, Client, May 2016, Courtesy of Houzz.com



PROJECT #14-08





3/11/2015 - Very efficient and knowledgeable. Expertise on utilizing existing space with a flair. Big or small projects welcomed, listened to our needs and wants very carefully and provided the design accordingly with our budget in mind. Did not hire at this time due to constraints but would in the future. - lilajanew, Received an estimate, May 2015, Courtesy of Houzz.com



PROJECTS #09-04 & #11-05





9/24/2014 - I first had a garage door (end of garage area design) done in my Tarpon Springs home. Good quality work. So I asked for cottage design for Dunedin house. Loved the design and work but did not build the cottage - too costly to build at the time. - robinhubbard3, Client, May 2011, Courtesy of Houzz.com



PROJECT #09-09 CONTRACTOR




It was a pleasure to work together with Cathy. During the course of our most recent project she continually displayed a strong knowledge of the project and the issues we faced. She was very well organized and communicated on a regular basis she was never difficult to reach if I had questions or concerns. She was able to work together with me to overcome some unforeseen issues in the project which made everything run much more smoothly. Cathy displayed the highest level of professionalism and maintained a very cooperative attitude in working with me as a Contractor/Builder. The result was a wonderful project, happy owners, and multiple awards. I look forward to our next opportunity to work together.- Charles Adolf Contractor / Project Manager at Adolf Construction, Inc. October 15, 2012, courtesy of LinkedIn.com


PROJECT #07-02





9/14/2014 - Added bathroom to join Tom's bedroom. Used part of another bedroom. This means everything to us (parents) and Tom. We appreciate Cathy Svercl, architect every day. - gailevans1, Client, September 2007, Courtesy of Houzz.com



MULTIPLE PROJECTS STRUCTURAL ENGINEER





Cathy is an excellent Architect. It is always a pleasure to work with her creative projects. - Luis Correa, P.E., S.I. President - Structural Engineer at Integral Engineering, Inc., December 4, 2012, courtesy of LinkedIn.com



FORMER BOSS





Cathy Svercl was employed by AHMANN LLC for a number of years. She is diligent, creative and responsible. She worked on a wide range of custom residential projects providing both design and technical input. I recommend her highly and enthusiastically. Tom Ahmann - Thomas Ahmann, AIA Managing Principal, AHMANN LLC December 3, 2012, courtesy of LinkedIn.com



CONTRACTOR





2/7/2013 - I have worked with Cathy on a very large residential project. This project was very complex and required a large amount of integration between the Architect and Contractor. Cathy made it a point to come to the job site and stay up to date to coordinate between her office and mine. She was very professional and listened to the concerns of the contractor and help integrate field changes with her office. I would highly recommend Cathy for any of your Architectural needs. - Craftsman Construction, Colleague, January 2006, Courtesy of Houzz.com





DESIGN FREEDOM, INC.



CLEARWATER, FL
Phone/Voicemail - Schedule a Call!
FL#AR93491 (formerly AA26001283) VA#0407 005832