The information below covers the most common steps to building a dome with Natural Spaces Domes.
If you are instead repairing, adding, replacing skylights, etc; you can contact us with a brief description of what you need, then we’ll likely have you schedule a consultation time with Josh Binman or Dennis Johnson. We do not do on-site work unless time becomes available.
#1 Getting Started
Get started by studying our online Learning Center where you can gain a solid understanding of construction options and the associated costs. We understand you may want to talk to a real person immediately, but since we are incredibly busy right now due to the housing boom, we try to make as much information available online as we can – so we can focus on building domes!
If you have questions that aren’t answered on the web site, we host our monthly Zoom Room Dome Talk as an open forum for builders to ask questions or listen to others’ questions. Another option might be to actually tour the Natural Spaces Domes headquarters. Call 651-674-4292 or email us to schedule a tour. Check with the office to learn the status of COVID restrictions.
Begin with some idea of a floor plan you have in mind. You can also send us something you have sketched or a plan you have acquired elsewhere. See: Architectural Planning
Once you feel confident on your project’s initial direction, email us to receive an introduction email which includes a list of questions you can answer for us to be able to better understand where you are in your design or building process. If you still have additional preliminary questions at this point, some simple ones can be answered over phone or email – otherwise for more technical details you may need to schedule a consultation time.
#2 Preliminary Plans and Materials
When you have completed all of the items above, set up a consultation to perform a review of your project thus far and determine next steps. The charge for a consultation is $175/hour, however this expense to you will be deducted from the cost of your dome when you sign your dome contract.
Next, Dennis will estimate how many hours it will take to draw up a preliminary plan and then a Work Authorization with a quote for your drawings is sent to you to sign. Keep in mind that having the land for your dome at this point is almost a necessity, because site information should be provided and will be discussed.
Once the work authorization is signed and returned with a deposit, you will be put in the queue for drawings. You will be given an estimate on the timing. Keep in mind that there may be a lengthy waiting period because as of May 2022 the line is extremely long. If you have existing plans chosen, that will speed up the process. Whereas, we are very happy with all the business we have these days, we are not very comfortable with the length of time it may take to get to your project. Please understand we are working for hard to fulfill the demand, thus the need for all the preliminary steps you need to take to speed up the process.
After the preliminary drawings are complete, they are sent to you and you will review and talk with Dennis or Josh if changes are needed. You will have the opportunity to ask many questions and discuss changes to your plan. Upon completion of the drawings, we can create an accurate quote for all Natural Spaces products. If the quote is more than you would like to spend, changes to the plans can be discussed in order to lower your costs.
#3 Construction Drawings and Shipping
When the preliminary plans are agreed upon, construction drawings are begun. There will be a quote for the cost of the drawings and work related to them and you will be provided with a work authorization. There’s a lot to consider at this point: engineering costs, local requirements, local weather, heating/cooling systems, building permits etc. At this point you should have or be in talking stages with a contractor.
Once the construction drawings are complete and approved by all, a contract is created and signed and a deposit made before beginning the construction of the dome kit. At this point we’ll discuss the your schedule including shipping cost information. The sooner all of the above is agreed upon the sooner you will get in the queue to have your dome built and shipped to you.
Note: If you would like, you can have have virtual Zoom support with our experts while your dome is being raised