We made note of different features that we liked and mentioned those we didn't. Once it's on paper, people mark it up and you can clean it up from there. Mr. MacMillan recommends that people start with a wish list. They should think about room sizes and also consider how much square footage they will be able to afford and how big a house the lot will be able to accommodate. There is a tremendous cost differential when it comes to molding styles, built-ins, stonework, fixtures, etc.
Finishes adjust the square footage cost tremendously.
If you can't get everything you want the first time out, your architect can help you decide which things can be added later. We have a lot of people who don't know everything up front and want to grow into it. Although, he says, some people don't have the luxury of waiting to get what they want. Certainly this is true for those in transient situations. One of Mr. MacMillan's recent customers hadn't even finished his house before he was transferred.