● Process

How It Works

From intake to delivery — how ZFramework turns a parcel into a fully modeled, institutional-grade development package.

● Platform Memberships

How the platform model works

ZFramework is built for real estate teams that need recurring access to early-stage project thinking without starting from scratch every time a new site or opportunity appears.

The important distinction is simple: each tier uses the same core deliverable stack. The tier you select determines how many annual project credits are included.

STEP 1
Choose volume
Select ZStart, ZBase, or ZBuild based on the number of projects your team expects to evaluate during the annual term.
STEP 2
Receive credits
Project credits are assigned to your account based on the selected membership tier and released according to the credit schedule.
STEP 3
Submit intake
Each project starts with one approved intake. The intake defines the site, goals, assumptions, and project direction.
STEP 4
Receive deliverables
Each approved project receives the same ZFramework deliverable stack, produced through the platform workflow.

Plain-English summary: ZStart, ZBase, and ZBuild do not represent three different deliverable packages. They represent three different annual project-credit levels. The difference is how many approved project intakes are included in the annual membership.

Project credits & release schedule

How credits are released

Project credits control how many approved project intakes are included in the annual membership. The release schedule protects the client experience and keeps production capacity aligned with the annual term.

TierQ1Q2Q3Q4Annual total
ZStart1 after onboarding1
ZBase11114
ZBuild22228
Credit rules
  • One credit equals one approved project intake.
  • The intake defines the site, project assumptions, goals, and direction.
  • Credits are only available while the account is active and current.
  • Unused credits may roll forward during the active annual term.
  • Unused credits expire at the end of the current membership year.
  • Additional project credits may be purchased separately, subject to scheduling and capacity.
Core deliverables per project credit

Same deliverable stack. Every tier.

The following deliverable categories apply to each approved project intake across ZStart, ZBase, and ZBuild. The subscription tier changes the number of projects included, not the deliverable stack attached to each project credit.

Site analysis
  • Site feasibility summary
  • Parcel and existing conditions
  • Regional and block context
  • Aerial and plan views
  • Infrastructure capacity: power, water, sewer, fiber
Zoning + entitlement
  • Zoning district overview
  • Height, FAR, and setback review
  • Parking requirements
  • Entitlement pathway
  • Building code analysis
Design deliverables
  • Freehand site plan
  • Floor plan(s)
  • Massing study
  • Concept rendering(s)
  • Interactive site plan
  • Before/after comparison
  • Program diagram
Developer-lens financials
  • Pro forma / financial model
  • IRR and cash-on-cash
  • NOI and exit valuation
  • Stress testing / sensitivity
  • Yield on cost / DSCR
  • Capital stack summary
  • Tenant / scenario engine
  • Development phasing model
  • Project cost range
Presentation format
  • Live web platform
  • Executive summary
  • Ideas and next steps
  • Contact integration
Support
  • Project intake workflow
  • Project review process
  • Email support during active project delivery
  • Annual platform updates on renewal

Scoped separately if needed: Municipal and civic impact items such as transaction privilege tax, GPLET/property tax impact, construction sales tax, public benefit narrative, incentives, and public realm analysis are not included unless added or scoped separately.

Payment terms & client protections

Annual commitment. Monthly billing.

The monthly payment structure is intended to make budgeting easier for clients while preserving the annual commitment required to support the platform.

Annual commitment
Each membership is a 12-month annual platform term. Monthly billing does not make the agreement month-to-month.
Monthly billing
The annual commitment is billed in monthly installments based on the selected tier.
Due at signing
First two monthly payments are due at signing and applied to onboarding and the first month of platform access.
Autopay
ACH or credit card autopay is recommended so the account stays current and project work is not interrupted.
Revisions
One minor revision round is included per project. Additional revisions are billed hourly or quoted separately.
Renewal
The membership renews annually unless the client cancels renewal with advance written notice.
Cancellation
Clients may cancel renewal, but the current annual term remains in effect once started.
Nonpayment
Past-due accounts may be suspended. Final deliverables and license transfer are available only after the account is current.
Important clarification

ZFramework is a 12-month annual platform membership billed monthly. It is not a cancel-anytime monthly subscription. The difference between tiers is annual project-credit volume, not deliverable type.

Hosting, maintenance, & next steps

Ongoing project hosting

After the initial 12-month membership period, each completed project can remain hosted and maintained for a nominal monthly fee. Hosting and maintenance are billed monthly, per project, with no ongoing commitment.

$150 / month per project
Billed monthly. No long-term commitment. Per completed project.
Common questions
Is this month-to-month?
No. The platform membership is annual and billed monthly for budgeting convenience.
What changes by tier?
Only the number of included project credits. The core deliverable stack stays the same.
What counts as a project?
One approved intake for one site, opportunity, or defined concept package.
Can credits be saved?
Yes, credits may roll forward during the active annual term. They expire at the end of the membership year.
Can we buy more credits?
Yes. Additional project credits may be purchased separately, subject to scheduling and capacity.
What happens after year one?
Clients may renew their platform membership or continue hosting completed projects at $150 per month, per project.

Next step: select a tier based on annual project volume, complete the project intake, and confirm the annual platform order form.

Draft for client discussion. Final pricing, deliverables, and terms are controlled by the signed order form.