Chapter xii
Overwhelmed? Need Help?
Okay, so this is a lot of information. If it proves to be too much, please consider hiring a professional home designer or architect to help you navigate it all.
One of the great things about the process we have outlined in this book is that it will help you to test drive your designer to find out if your communication styles, values, and approaches are compatible. You can take one of the issues you know you are confused about how to solve, and ask them in the interview how they would solve it. If they give you a solution you like, you will know you are on the right track. In my early career, so many people came into the offices I worked in… and I knew immediately that we were not the right fit. I think they knew we were not the right fit too, but they did not have any tools to judge the firm’s approach in regard to their design. Many people have different thinking and working styles. Some people take more time to make decisions. Some clients can go crazy when a designer is changing things all the way up to the millisecond before the inspector comes to give you final approval. It can be crazy-making. If you go through all the design steps here, you will most likely not have these issues because you will know what you want and you will be able to see if the designer will work with you in a way you can enjoy! You can feel confident that it is possible for your designer to translate your desires into results. The bonus is… if you come in well-prepared and your designer is able to help you to connect the dots quickly, it will save you both time… and money.
Our best advice: choose the most qualified design team you can afford.
If you decide to go with hiring a pro to design your home, here are a few tips to help you to make the right choice:
Start with asking friends whose homes you love who the designer of their place was. Look through local or regional art and design magazines and track down the designs you adore. Check with your local chapter of the American Institute of Architects and see who is working in your area, or google “residential design” and the name of your city or region. Then, once you have a list of people to check out, visit their website to learn everything you can about their work. Start with the projects page, which should be filled with pretty pictures. If they do not design things you like, take them off the list.
Do thorough research on the firm, their beliefs, and make sure their style melds with yours. Do not believe that just because someone calls themselves “green” that they are. Many so-called “green” architects are really just slightly greener than average, and they depend on technology and modern materials to make their buildings function. That is okay if chemicals and technology works for you. If you want more than that, ask them about “vernacular style”, “natural building”, and “bio-climatic design” to manifest a building designed and built for a specific place.
One major tip here: do not trust awards. Awards are for firms that can afford to hire someone to apply for them. More often than not, the award is for the design’s pretty pictures and not for its performance, schedule, or budget. This is one of the sad things about how design works in the modern world. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. But the right designer is the one that inspires you, speaks to you in a way that you look forward to chatting with them (because you may become friends or foes over the life of the design), gives you a building you love and that is permitable, and does so while keeping you from going over budget.
Whittle the names down until you have between one and three people you want to talk to. Then, set up an introductory meeting/interview. Each architect should have 60 to 90 minutes to present the firm’s qualifications, philosophies of design and experience.
REVIEW:
Brief statement on his or her philosophy of practice.
Detailed statement on contract administration procedure and services.
QUESTIONS:
Will the Architect’s present workload permit them to complete your project on your schedule?
Will they give your job personal attention from beginning to end or will an associate or employee be designated to manage the project? If there will be a project manager, you should meet with that person to be sure you get along with them as well as you do your designer.
What form of contract will be used? The A.I.A. Standard Form is used most often and will protect both you and the Architect. This contract is trustworthy.
How does he or she expect to be compensated for services?
Will they provide renderings or models?
Do they expect out-of-town travel, lodging, etcetera… to be included in their compensation and if so, how much of this do they anticipate? Will there be a predictable per diem or will they bill you for expenses? Note: The standard GSA per diem is fair and prevents your designer from going to the best restaurants and staying in 5 Star hotels and handing you an exorbitant bill that you may not have budgeted for. (Yes, that has happened.)
What is the Architect’s track record regarding estimates and construction budgets and what is the firm’s method for staying within the approved budget?
How often will the Architect visit the project site?
How does he or she insure that plans and specifications are followed?
THIS PROCESS SHOULD HELP YOU ANSWER THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT QUESTIONS:
Does the Architect’s work show imagination and design skill?
Does the Architect’s work reflect a concern for quality construction and details?
Does he or she indicate a willingness to devote time to research and programming in order to completely understand your needs?
Do Contractors find their construction documents clear and complete?
Do the Architect’s references show a spirit of cooperativeness? (And does the architect show a willingness, even eagerness, to have you talk to the people listed? That is telling.)
Do you have confidence in and feel comfortable entering a business agreement with his or her firm?
Normally, the Architect’s Basic Services (this is a contract term) include architectural design plus mechanical, electrical, and structural coordination. Other consultants – for landscape, lighting, and acoustics – are additional services billed directly to you, the Owner, with additional compensation due the Architect for coordination. If any of these services are needed, they should be discussed and agreed on before signing a design contract.
After the interviews are completed, selection of the Architect should be completed within one to two weeks unless you have confirmed that the Architect’s schedule will allow for a longer period without penalty. Otherwise, if another paying project comes in before you decide; you may lose your place in line, and then have to be “fit in” when it works for the design team.
After the selection, send a letter of thanks to all of the Architects interviewed, and advise them of the decision.
Tip: Ask the designer to provide plans in 11x17 format. This not only saves paper, it makes working on the drawings on-site easier, as well as reduces the cost of printing.
If you decide to hire an Architect to help work through the myriad of details in a building project, expect to pay about 10% of construction costs to retain their assistance.
How their fee breakdown will likely work and what you will get as deliverables:
CONTRACT SIGNING AND RETAINER
Payable: 10% Fee
SCHEMATIC DESIGN
Basic concept, uncluttered by detail, but clear
Deliverables:
* Site Plan with footprint, drive, parking, utilities
* “Sketch” Floor Plan(s) without details
* Two Exterior Elevations (primary facades)
* Budget Estimate
Payable: 30% Fee
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
Specs and Details!
Deliverables:
* Revised Site Plan
* Foundation Plan
* Floor Plan(s) with details
* Four Exterior Elevations
* Electrical Plan
* Reflected Ceiling Plan (if detailed ceilings or lighting)
* A few Interior Elevations
* Finish Schedule
* Building Section(s)
* Wall Section(s)
* Engineering Drawings
* Budget estimate (and meet with Contractor)
* Draft Specs for selected items
Payable: 30% Fee
CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS
The final touches
Deliverables: “Blueprints”
(Coordinated with engineering drawings)
* Specifications
* Materials, Finishes, and Performance Standards
Payable: 30% Fee