1 Houses as an Architectural Practice
Houses as an Architectural Practice
Who Are the Clients for Houses?
When Clients Have a Style or Design Concept at the Time They Retain You
General Conditions as a Significant Cost for an Architect-Designed House
Case Study: The Dot Brandt House
2 How Houses Differ from Commercial and Institutional Projects
Structuring Contracts for Services
Suggested Structuring of Contracts for Services for Residential Design
Work beyond the Traditional Architectural Scope
How Do You Charge for Services?
Fees during Bidding and Negotiation with the Contractor
Project over Budget and Fees for Value Engineering
Construction Administration Fees
Fees for Services during Financing of the Project
The Value of Your Fees versus Those of Your Competition
Sample Proposal Agreement for Architectural Services
Agreement for Professional Services
3 Design and Documentation for Houses
The First Step: Identifying the Budget for the Project
The Danger of Design by Room Dimensions
Architectural Design Concerns (and Conceits) That Affect the Project Cost
Drawing as a Key Communication Skill and Tool for Architects
Drawing and Sketching as a Way of Seeing
Drawings as a Part of Daily Practice
Insight into the Role Computers Play in Architectural Education
Computers Misused by Architects
Designing the Whole Project Using the Computer
Do Computer Skills Conceal Poor Design Skills?
Computers in Feature Animation
Is There Still a Role for Drawing?
Starting to Work with Your Clients
Outline Schedule for the Design Process
Introducing Architectural Vocabulary to Your Clients
Elements of Houses as Typically Grouped
The Importance of Presentation Drawings
Obtaining Design Approvals from the Clients
Determining Completion of the Design Process
Sample List of Items to Be Determined before Construction Documents Begin
Scheduling and Defining Construction Document Activities
Organizing the Set of Construction Drawings
A0.00 Cover Sheet, General Notes, Schedules, and Information
A1.00 Site Plans and Site Details
A8.00 Architectural Woodwork and Millwork
4 Bidding or Negotiating with Contractors
Soft Bidding the Job before You Start Design
The Lowest Qualified Price—the Goal of Bidding or Pricing a Project
Materials for Bidding the Project
Adequate Materials to Properly Price a Project
Typical Materials for Bidding and Pricing a Project
Preselected Subcontractors and Suppliers
Miscellaneous Items to Support the Pricing Process
Permitting Authority Contact Information
Paying for the Bidding Materials
Identifying and Qualifying Potential Contractors
Checking Contractor References
Custom Home Builders versus General Contractors
Strategies for Bidding or Pricing a Project
Competitive Bidding of Projects
Outline Schedule as a Part of the Competitive Bid
Hybrid Bidding and Negotiation
Addendums Issued during Bidding or Pricing
Allowances in Bids and Contracts
Items That Make Sense to Be Covered by Allowances
Items That Do Not Make Sense to Be Carried as Allowances
Change Order and Professional Fee Compensation for Allowances during Construction
Case Study: The Fifield-Roseberry House
Contract Amount or Contract Sum
Final Completion and Final Payment
Evaluating the Contract Provisions
6 Construction Administration and the Building Process
What Professional Services Should You Provide during Construction?
Services Typically Part of Construction Administration
Significant Portion of Services and Fees Provided during Construction Administration
No Agreement for Construction Administration Services with Owner
Professional Compensation during the Construction Process
Interpretation of the Contract Documents
Field Observation and Field Visits
Scheduled On-Site Project Meetings
Transmittal Cover Letter for Field Report
Importance of Diplomacy in a Field Report
Review of Shop Drawings and Submittals
Sample List of Items to Be Submitted to the Architect as Shop Drawings or Submittals
Approval of Payment Applications and Certifications for Payment
Certification of Substantial Completion
Unofficial Services You Will Provide during Construction Administration
Conflicts in the Construction Documents
Conflict Resolution between the Contractor and Owner
Coordinating Owners’ Vendors during Construction
Coordinating Problems with Concealed Field Conditions
Creating the “Official” and “Neutral” Record of Communications
Value of Foundation Surveys during Layout on the Site
Owners Unhappy with the Design as Constructed
Case Study: The Connally Lodge
Bidding The Project to a Selected Group of Contractors
Budgets That Impose Discipline
Owner Communication and Direction through E-mail
Contractor’s Willingness to Support Owners as a Problem
Termination of the Contractor and Impact on the Project and Project Team