• Why use an architect?
    • • Most improvements that are beyond cosmetic or general maintenance, require a licensed professional to submit documentation to the municipality to confirm that the proposed work meets certain standards (code, zoning, etc.)
    • Whether you use our services or those of another firm, an architect provides you with a partner and advocate that is skilled in design, reviewing construction, and approval sequences, which saves you time and money while making your project more usable and attractive.
  • How does this process generally work?
    • • We’ll come to your home, office or project site and to review your objectives and ask many questions, including your present and future needs, budget constraints, time and schedule factors, applicable site restrictions, considerations as to who may build and obtaining any available background information.
    • • The usual procedure entails our office verifying the existing conditions (measuring and examination), reviewing the applicable regulations (i.e. zoning and building codes), and performing preliminary designs usually with several options. We meet several times during this phase of the project to review the schemes, make any necessary changes as well as hone in on details and specifics. Once a preliminary scheme is selected, we can provide thumbnail budget figures if requested.
    • • We then develop these preliminary drawings into more detailed and technical drawings that are suitable for obtaining permits and building purposes. We will assist you in obtaining the necessary municipal approvals and can assist you in bidding the project among qualified builders.
    • • Our office can negotiate with the bidders on your behalf to ensure that you receive a favorable price and the best possible conditions. At that point, we generally prepare the contract between the Owner and Builder using templates established by American Institute of Architects.
    • • During the course of construction our office visits the site to assure the project is being built in accordance with the drawings and good practices and answer questions the builders may have. We work closely with the builders to assure the job moves along in a rational, expeditious manner and that the contractor is being paid in accordance with work performed and materials purchased.
    • • At the end of the job, we’ll come punchlist (identify missing or remedial conditions) and help close-out the job and get you back into your home, office or building.

 

    • How do we work together?
    • • After our initial meeting, we will send a letter of agreement outlining the factors and objectives that we discussed, the services we will provide, and the related fees and terms. After the return of the signed agreement and retainer, we get to work. Billing is done on a monthly “as-complete” basis.
  • What are your usual fees?
    • • Since the fees vary based on the complexity and type of project, it is not possible to answer with any precision, other than ballpark hourly figures ranging from $85/hr for an associate’s time to $135/hr for principal’s time. We do not mark up our consultants fees (i.e. engineers) or reimbursable costs (i.e. printing) We do charge 50% rates for travel time.
    • Our fees, as a percentage of construction cost, generally fall in to the 8-10% range, which is considered  ”average” by the 2011 edition of Engineering News Record Costbook.  Given the creative and highly attentive level of service we provide at a fair cost, we believe (and more importantly- our customers can attest) that we provide a great value and you should select our firm for your next project’s design.