File in Binder 2: Hiring Your Team
Your team will include an architect, an interior designer, and a builder—and you want to select ones that are right for you.
Your approach to hiring an architect will depend on if a building boom is going on in your area. If local architects have more work than they can handle, you may need to adapt this step-by-step process. Your start date could be months away. You may even be required to put down a retainer fee to get on the architect’s calendar. However, if the architect is looking for work, use the following process for hiring an architect.
THE ARCHITECT HIRING PROCESS
Identify at least three firms you want to consider. Look for homes in your area that you like and find out the architect who designed those homes. Look at homes you like in magazines and note the architect’s name. The benefits of using an architect in your area is having an architect who knows the municipal codes and zoning laws, understands the terrain, and has relationships with area engineers and other people involved in the process. However, you can hire a lead architect from another area and hire a local architect to assist.
Send a letter asking the architect firms you’d like to consider if they would be interested in your project. Include your timetable, the approximate size of the house, and the address of the property (if known). Explain why you are considering their firm for the project. Mention any particular homes they have designed that you like. Explain your hiring process, which includes answering the Architect Questionnaire (page 38) you are attaching and returning the answers by a set date, an interview, site visit, visits to a couple of homes they have designed, and references. File a copy of the letters and questionnaires sent in Binder 2.
Once you have received the answers to the questionnaires, file them in Binder 2. If you want to eliminate a firm due to its answers on the questionnaire, send a note saying that the firm is no longer being considered for the project and thanking it for its participation.
Set up an interview with those architects you are considering. After you have read through the questionnaire responses, you may have additional questions as a result of their answers. Use those questions plus those listed here to create your own list of interview questions. File your lists of questions, along with your notes on the answers, in Binder 2.
Interview Questions
1. How closely do your home designs meet the client’s proposed budget?
2. When put to bid with builders, if your design comes in over budget, do you charge for revisions?
3. Explain how your firm works.
4. Does a model of the home come with your architecture fee? If not, how much additional would a model cost?
TIP: Some HOAs require that an
architectural model of your
planned home be presented to
their architecture review committee.
5. What is your experience with this Homeowner Association?
6. Do you know the architect representing the architectural review committee? If so, is there any conflict between the two of you that might affect the project?
7. What will be your involvement once the house is under construction?
8. Do you charge extra for site visits during construction and if so, how much?
9. Are you currently involved in any lawsuits?
10. Have you been fined or issued reprimands from AIA?
11. How do you stay current on new products and trends?
12. Explain your approach and experiences in designing a green home.
Review the list of questions to ask your architect, and take the potential architects individually to your home site. Even if you have already hired your architect, you will still want to review this list with your architect at your home site. The potential architects may be willing to answer some of these questions and may prefer to answer the rest further along in the hiring process. Write their comments on your Architect Comparison Chart (page 42), noting which architect made which comments. This comparison chart allows you to compare the architect’s answers to the questionnaire, the architect’s responses during the interview, the architect’s comments at the home site, and your personal opinion of each architect. File it in Binder 2.
TIP: Check Better Business Bureau
reports to see if the architect you are
considering has had any complaints filed.
You can also ask your architect for
his or her Certificate of Insurance.
Questions to Ask When Taking Your
Architect to the Site
1. What is your first impression of the property?
2. Do you see any immediate concerns?
3. What is your initial thought for positioning the home on the land?
4. What city or county building codes will affect this property or home?
5. Are there any HOA covenants that will affect building on this property?
6. Are there any drainage issues to avoid when positioning the house on the lot?
7. Where do you see the driveway?
The Decision
Using your comparison chart and your intuition as a guide, decide which architect you will hire. Once this architect has accepted, inform those you are not hiring and thank them for their time. They will most likely ask why you chose the architect you chose and not them. Prepare yourself to give an appropriate answer.
THE CONTRACT
Once you have selected your architect, you will move into contract negotiations. Usually your architect will provide a contract. At that point, you will want your attorney to review it and make revisions to send back to the architect. Here are some contract points for you to discuss with your attorney.
Financial Terms
1. On what terms will the architect be paid?
2. What is the billing schedule?
3. Will there be a cap on the total amount to be paid?
4. How will you be billed?
5. Will the architect provide invoices if being paid on the percentage of construction costs?
6. If you and the architect part ways, will any of the payments be reimbursed?
7. If any additional costs incur after the contract is signed, you must agree to those costs and sign off on them. No surveys, soil tests, structural design work, or other expenses can be done without the owner or designated person signing off on such requests. The architect must produce the signed-off agreement with the invoice to be paid.
8. If site visits are an additional cost to be paid, the architect will submit signed and dated copies of the Architect Site Visit Form (page 48) provided by you.
Architect Services
1. Which architectural drawings (floor plans, electrical plans, elevations, and so on) will be provided?
2. How many copies of each plan will you receive?
3. How many revisions will be allowed?
4. Will a model of your home be provided?
5. Will a color rendering of your home be drawn?
6. What role will the architect play during construction?
7. How often will the architect visit the construction site?
8. Who will be assigned to your project and what is their experience?
Time Considerations
1. Include a timetable as part of your contract.
2. State in your contract how often the timetable needs to be updated.
3. What are the penalties if the architect does not complete the plans on time?
4. Revisions will be provided to you in a timely manner.
5. You will reply to revisions in a timely manner.
6. Iron out penalties if you or the architect cause delays to the project.
Ownership of House Plans
1. Who will own the house plans?
2. Verify that the architect cannot use your house plans for future clients or developments.
3. What if your relative or friend in another state wanted to use the plans—would that be a problem?
Revisions
1. When the architect’s design of your home is put to bid, if the architect’s design exceeds the budget you agreed upon at the beginning of the design process, will the revisions be free?
2. How many revisions will be allowed for the original design and if the design exceeds the budget?
3. It is extremely important to state that only you can make changes to the architectural plans, to avoid changes you are unaware of and unexpected charges. The interior designer, the builder, and any outside consultants do not have the authority to make changes to your architectural plans without your knowledge and approval.
Insurance
1. Will the architect carry liability insurance?
2. What other insurance will the architect carry?
3. Are the amounts of insurance acceptable?
4. Will the architect provide a certificate of insurance?
Contract Termination
1. If you and the architect decide to part ways, the architect will return all photos, tear sheets, notes, and fact sheets provided by you, and all architectural plans and revisions to date.
2. Who will own the architectural plans created to date?
3. List reasons that will allow either party to terminate the contract.
4. List steps to terminating the contract.
Mutual Respect
Both you and the architect agree to be on time for meetings. If either party needs to cancel a meeting, they will inform the other party as soon as possible.
ARCHITECT’S SITE VISIT FORM
If you will be charged for each site visit, give a copy of the Architect’s Site Visit Form (page 48) to the architect to use each time a billable site visit occurs. Ask the architect to submit these filled-in forms with invoices. Copies of this form can also be left at the job site in the construction office or on a clipboard once the interior of the home is protected from weather. When received from the architect, file the filled-in form in Binder 8.
The architect or architect’s staff should fill in the form each time they visit the site. This form includes the date, the name of the person visiting the site, the names of people the architect or architect’s staff is meeting, the purpose of the visit, the outcome of the visit, the length of the visit, and the architect firm’s representative’s signature. This form should be submitted by the architect with monthly invoices.
HOW TO BE YOUR ARCHITECT’S
BEST CLIENT
Want to get the house of your dreams? Follow these basic rules for working with your architect.
Answer questions ahead of time. Before the first design meeting, copy all the forms in Chapter 4 (pages 67–85) and fill in most answers.
Take notes at each meeting. Have numerous copies of the Architect Meeting Notes (page 21) in Binder 1. Once you have taken notes at the meetings, file the notes in Binder 5. Assign a person to each follow-up task during the meeting and a date the task is to be done. Set up the next meeting before you leave. Make copies of your notes and distribute copies to appropriate persons.
Set firm dates. At each meeting, set firm dates for any follow-ups, such as delivery of revisions. Hold your architect accountable to those dates. After receiving revisions, return them according to the revision return date that was set.
Provide photos of home furnishings. Take photos of your existing furniture, appliances, art, portraits, mirrors, sculpture, rugs, and other items that you will use in your new home. Measure and write the dimensions of each item on the photograph. Organize these and place them in Binder 6. If you want to place these items in a particular room, note that on the photograph.
Provide samples of what you like. Collect photocopies, tear sheets, and photos of the exterior and interior of homes and design elements. Organize these, noting what it is you like about them, and place them in Binder 6. These are a great resource to communicate what you need, want, and desire.
Inform your architect of any change orders. If you make any changes with your interior designer, builder, or consultants once construction begins, tell your architect promptly and in writing.
Host an open house. Once you have settled into your new home, invite the architect’s staff for a tour of your home.
The next step after hiring your architect is to hire the rest of your team. Your interior designer should be brought on board as soon as possible. Your interior designer needs to collaborate with the architect during the design process. If you already have a relationship with an interior designer, you may hire this team member first. Whatever the sequence, get your team in place.
THE INTERIOR DESIGNER
HIRING PROCESS
Identify three interior designers to consider. Compile a list of questions to ask when you interview them. Take notes during the interview with the potential interior designer candidates. File your list of questions and your interview notes in Binder 2.
Nine Rules for Smooth Relationships
with Team Members
By following these recommendations, you will create a smooth working relationship with your architect, interior designer, and builder. Remember that you, the homeowner, have a role to play as well as each of these team members.
1. Always be prepared! It is better to postpone a meeting than to attend unprepared. Being prepared and organized sets the tone for the project.
2. Take notes. Take your own notes at every meeting, using the specific form and filing it so you can find it easily.
3. Don’t take cell phone calls during meetings. One of the quickest ways to delay a meeting or interrupt the flow of the meeting is by answering your cell phone. The same goes for the person you’re working with.
4. Do your tasks promptly. Do whatever tasks you need to before the next meeting, or postpone the meeting. Reply promptly to phone calls, e-mails, and faxes to help keep the project going.
5. Be on time. Give advance notice if postponing a meeting or if you will be late. Constantly rescheduling the meetings does not bode well for either of you.
6. Be decisive. Revisions are costly and slow down the process. Put the appropriate amount of time and thought into decisions going into the project. Decisions made hastily are more likely to be changed later.
7. Keep messages brief. This includes both phone messages and e-mails—but ask the builder what form of communication is preferred and honor that request. These are busy people, with many people needing approvals or answers to questions contacting them.
8. Pay your bills on time. Never expect your architect, builder, or interior designer to meet with you when you have unpaid invoices that are past due. Pay by the due date.
9. Be generous with praise. When you like what is presented or a completed job, let it be known. Don’t just concentrate on what you do not like.
Here are some possible interview questions.
Interview Questions
1. May I see your portfolio?
2. What is your educational background?
3. What experience have you had as an interior designer?
4. What is the most expensive and the least expensive budget you have worked within?
5. How do you derive your budget?
6. How accurate are you at coming in on budget?
7. How do you want to be compensated? (Some take a flat fee, while others take a percentage of the cost of interior furniture and accessories, or a combination of the two.)
8. Do you require a contract? If so, may I have a copy?
9. On what grounds can the contract be broken?
10. How many projects are you currently involved in?
11. How many projects are you currently being considered for?
12. What is your biggest pet peeve in working with homeowners?
13. Explain your working process.
14. Would you provide a working timetable of this project?
15. Explain the structure of your firm.
16. List any design awards, and the names and dates of any magazines in which you have been published.
17. Please provide a list of references.
Fill in the Interior Designer Comparison Chart (page 44) to use as a guide for selecting your interior designer. File this chart in Binder 2.
The Decision
Make your decision and see if the interior designer is still available and willing to work on your project. Then, tell those you are not hiring and thank them for their time. If they ask why you chose the designer you chose, give an appropriate answer.
THE CONTRACT
Once you have selected an interior designer, you will move into contract negotiations. Usually your attorney will review the contract provided by the interior designer, revise it, and send it back to the interior designer.
Some contract points to discuss with your attorney:
Financial Terms
1. On what terms will the interior designer be paid?
2. What is the billing schedule?
3. Will there be a cap on the total amount to be paid?
4. How will you be billed?
5. Does the interior designer require you to provide cash in an account or a credit card on file for use in buying items? If so, will the cash be reimbursed if the contract is terminated?
6. Will the interior designer provide invoices if being paid on a percentage of costs?
7. For what reasons can the contract be terminated?
8. What are the steps to terminate the contract?
9. What is the approval process for purchases made by the interior designer?
10. What if you find items for the home on your own, how is that handled?
11. If the interior designer purchases items from a catalog and upon their arrival you do not like the items, how will that be handled?
12. What is the hourly wage for an interior designer to sit in on meetings with the architect and builder?
Interior Designer Services
1. Will there be any drawings?
2. Will there be story boards?
3. Who will work on your project?
4. Will you and the interior designer visit showrooms together?
Time Considerations
1. Include a timetable as part of your contract.
2. State in your contract how often the timetable needs to be updated.
3. What are the penalties if the interior designer does not complete the job on time? Iron out penalties if you or the interior designer cause delays to the project.
Insurance
1. Will the interior designer carry liability insurance?
2. What other insurance will the interior designer carry?
Contract Termination
1. If you and the interior designer decide to part ways, the interior designer will return all photos, tear sheets, and house plans provided by you, as well as all notes and fact sheets.
2. Spell out reasons that will allow either party to terminate the contract.
3. Spell out the steps to terminating the contract.
Mutual Respect
Both you and the interior designer agree to be on time for meetings. If either party needs to cancel a meeting, they will inform the other party as soon as possible.
Miscellaneous
Only you can make changes to the architectural plans. The interior designer cannot make changes without your signature.
HOW TO BE YOUR INTERIOR DESIGNER’S
BEST CLIENT
Besides following the basic rules for working with any of your team members, here’s how to make your relationship with your interior designer both more efficient and more rewarding—and make you more likely to end up with the home you want.
Provide photos of home furnishings. Take photos of your existing furniture, appliances, art, portraits, mirrors, sculpture, rugs, and other items that you will use in your new home. Write the dimensions of each item on the photograph. Organize these and place them in Binder 6. If you want to place these items in a particular room, note that on the photograph. If you do not have time to take these photos, your interior designer may offer to do the task.
Provide samples of what you like. Collect photocopies, tear sheets, and photos of the exterior and interior of homes and design elements. Organize these, noting what it is you like about them, and place them in Binder 6. These are a great resource to communicate what you need, want, and desire.
Return samples promptly. Fabric samples, furniture catalogs, stone samples, and so forth that are loaned out to you by your interior designer need to be returned in a timely manner.
Host an open house. Once you have settled into your new home, invite the interior design staff for a tour of your home.
The demand for builders in your area will dictate your negotiating power in the hiring process. During a slowdown, homeowners will find that builders will jump through hoops to get the job. In a building boom, you could find yourself waiting for your phone calls to be returned.
During a building boom, builders may be unwilling to go through a hiring process. They may say, “Either hire me right now or go find someone else.” You may even find you cannot start construction when you planned.
But if there is no building boom, follow the hiring process listed below.
THE BUILDER HIRING PROCESS
Identify at least three builders you want to consider. Look for homes in your area that you like and find out the builder’s name. Ask your architect for recommendations.
Send a letter informing the builders you are considering them for your project. Include the basic facts such as timetable, approximate size of the home you want to build, architect’s name, and if known, the address of the property. Explain why you are considering their construction company. Mention the particular homes they have built that you like. Enclose the Builder Questionnaire (page 40), and ask that it be returned by a set date. Mention that you would like an interview, a site visit, visits to a couple of homes they have built, and references.
TIP: Hiring a builder at the outset
of the design process will allow the
builder to provide input regarding
the topography as well as the
structural engineering specifications,
possibly saving you money.
Once you have received responses to the builder’s questionnaires, begin filling in the answers on the Builder Comparison Chart (page 46), and file it in Binder 2. If you want to eliminate a builder because of answers on the questionnaire, send that company a note that it is no longer being considered for the project. Next, set up interviews with potential builders. During the interviews, take notes that can be filled in on the comparison chart. After you have read through the questionnaire responses, you may have additional questions as a result of their answers. Use those questions plus those listed here to create a list of interview questions, and file them and the answers in Binder 2.
Interview Questions
1. How accurate are you at coming in on budget?
2. How do you keep clients within their budget?
3. Explain how you work.
4. What role will you play once the house is under construction?
5. Who will be assigned to my job and what is their experience?
6. Are you currently involved in any lawsuits?
7. How long have each of your subcontractors been working for you?
8. Will you have any subcontractors on my project that you have never previously hired?
9. Will there be a construction office on site?
10. Will my job have a job site manager?
11. Explain your approach and experiences in building a green home.
12. Explain your expectations of the builder on this project.
After the interviews, take the builders you are still considering to the site, one at a time. Have them walk the land with you. Following the site visit, add your opinion and comments about each builder to the Builders Comparison Chart and file it in Binder 2. Add any noteworthy comments made by the builders. Write their comments down as they speak, making sure you note which builder made which comment.
Questions to Ask When Taking Builders to
the Site
1. What is your first impression of the property?
2. Do you see any immediate concerns?
3. State the penalties if the builder does not complete the job on time.
4. What city or county building codes will affect the property or the home you wish to have built?
5. Are there any HOA covenants that will affect building on this property?
6. Are there any drainage issues to avoid when positioning the house on the lot?
7. Where do you see the driveway?
The Decision
Using your comparison chart and your intuition as a guide, decide who you will hire. Inform the builder whom you want to hire as well as those you are not hiring. Thank all of them for their time.
THE CONTRACT
After you have selected a builder, you will move into contract negotiations. As with other team members, have your attorney review the builder’s contract and make revisions. Here are some contract points for you to discuss with your attorney.
Financial Terms
1. How will the builder be paid?
2. What is the billing schedule?
3. Will there be a cap on the total amount to be paid?
4. How will you be billed?
5. Will the builder provide invoices if being paid on the percentage of construction costs?
6. If you and the builder part ways, will any of the payments be returned?
7. If any costs are incurred outside the contract, you must agree to those costs before they are incurred. Make it clear that any additional costs exceeding the budget will be paid only if you have authorized these expenses before they are incurred.
8. No changes can be made by anyone except you. The Change Order Form (page 49) should be a part of the contract, noting both you and the builder must sign off.
9. The builder must produce the signed-off agreement or change order with the invoice in order to be paid.
Builder Services
1. Who will be your project manager? What is that person’s experience?
2. Set a particular day of the week and time of the day for a standing meeting.
3. Will there be a trailer on the job site?
4. Will there be a phone and fax on the job site?
5. What days of the week and what hours will the contractor work?
6. What holidays will be observed?
7. Specify that no new subcontractors will be used on this project. (You do not want your job to be the testing or training ground for a new subcontractor.)
8. The builder will keep the site clean as well as the interior of the home under construction.
9. List how the builder will prevent damage to building materials, appliances, plumbing fixtures, stone, tile, glass, and so on during construction. Some examples would be placing protective coverings over all glass windows to prevent them from being scratched, covering the tub and sinks so that workers cannot pour anything into them, and not allowing the HVAC system to be operated.
Time Considerations
1. Include a timetable as part of your contract.
2. State in your contract how often the timetable needs to be updated.
3. What is your initial thought for positioning the home on the land?
Insurance
1. How much liability insurance will the builder carry? Ask for a copy of the builder’s Certificate of Insurance.
2. Will the builder provide workman’s compensation?
3. Will the builder carry insurance to cover the materials used for the job?
4. Does the builder’s insurance cover theft of materials? If not, who will be liable for items stolen?
5. Will the builder carry fire insurance?
6. What other insurance will the builder carry?
Contract Termination
1. If the builder and you decide to part ways, the builder will return all photos, tear sheets, notes, and fact sheets provided by you, and all architectural plans.
2. Spell out reasons that will allow either party to terminate the contract.
3. Spell out the steps to terminating the contract.
TIP: Consider asking your builder to take
out a performance bond, insurance that
protects you if your builder’s business
fails. You should check out builders you
are considering with the Better Business
Bureau. You can ask to see builders’
financial statements, but they may
decline to provide them. Also check that
your builder’s business license is current.
Mutual Respect
Both you and the builder agree to be on time for meetings. If either party needs to cancel a meeting, they will inform the other party as soon as possible.
CHANGE ORDER FORM
The Change Order Form (page 49) should be filled out by the builder each time a change is made to the existing architectural plans after construction begins. It is imperative that you issue strict guidelines regarding who is authorized to make changes. Even if you are the only one allowed to make changes, each time a change is made, the builder should fill out this form. The form should include the date, name of the person making the change, description of the change, and any costs associated with making the change. Copies should be made of each change order and passed out to the architect, interior designer, builder, and any consultant, and keep one in your binder. Give blank copies to your builder to use and leave blank copies at the job site on a clipboard. File completed forms in Binder 8.
HOW TO BE YOUR BUILDER’S
BEST CLIENT
Besides following basic rules for dealing with your team members, you can make the job go much more smoothly by following these guidelines.
Be prepared before breaking ground. Delaying the start of a job will be less wasteful of time and money than hurrying a start and ending up making change after change.
Take notes. Take notes at every builder meeting. Have numerous copies of Builder’s Meeting Notes Form (page 23) in Binder 1, and file them in Binder 5 after you’ve taken notes. Assign a person to each follow-up task during the meeting and a date the task is to be done. Set up the next meeting before you leave. Make copies of your notes and distribute copies to appropriate persons.
Discuss construction site visits. Discuss how often and when your builder prefers that you visit the site. Some homeowners and builders meet every week on a specified date at a specified time. Some builders like homeowners to visit the site often so that subcontractors can ask them questions. Other builders feel a homeowner’s presence distracts sub contractors, delaying your job and interfering with their work schedule.
Have the builder present when you discuss change orders with subcontractors. Subcontractors are instructed that the only changes they can make come from the builder. They cannot take orders from you, the architect, or the interior designer. Change orders must be controlled by the builder.
Don’t call Monday morning. Monday morning is the most hectic time for the builder, project managers, and superintendents. Unless you have a time-sensitive reason to call the builder, wait until Monday afternoon or Tuesday.
Occasionally provide lunch for the workers. This gesture goes a long way. However, plan this with the builder or superintendent. If it’s an extra busy week, stopping for a group lunch could be best saved for another day. In some cases it is best if you provide the money for pizza or sandwiches and have the builder handle it. Let it be the builder’s call. Your builder knows the situation best.
Remember that job sites are often parking nightmares. Ask your builder where the best place is to park when you visit the site. You do not want to block in a worker, prevent delivery of materials, or get blocked in.
Treat workers with respect. Remember that those doing the work on your house are humans. A “thank you” for doing good work is appreciated. A simple nod of acknowledgment and a hello is appreciated.
Remember the builder has another life. Be considerate of the builder’s time when asking him or her to meet you at the job after hours or on weekends. Also be considerate when calling after hours.
TIP: Discuss with your builder the team’s
approach to designing built-ins and
cabinets. Some builders prefer these to
be designed by your architect, while
others ignore the architect’s plans and
have the homeowner work directly with
the carpenter and cabinetmaker. If your
builder prefers that you work directly
with the carpenter and cabinetmaker,
you will not need your architect to
spend time drawing those plans,
which could save you money.
Now that you have hired your team, it is a high priority for you to set boundaries and establish communication channels between the members of your team. Make it clear to each member of your team what authority each person has in making decisions and whether all decisions must go through you. Creating a team atmosphere and managing the team will go a long way in the design and construction of your home.
File in Binder 2:
Hiring Your Team
Architect Questionnaire
1. How many homes have you designed with construction costs of $ _________________________? ____________________
2. How many homes have you designed with approximately ___________________ square feet? _______________________
3. What is the most expensive construction costs for a home your have designed? $ ___________________________________
4. What is the largest home you have designed? ___________________square feet.
5. Check any of these situations for which you have design experience. Note the number of homes you have designed in these situations.
| On a cliff _____ | Flood-prone area ____ | Sandy soil area ____ |
| Dry desert area _____ | Humid wet area _____ | Steep Slope ____ |
| Dry mountain area ____ | Hurricane area _____ | Tornado area _____ |
| Earthquake area _____ | Rocky ground _____ |
6. How many homes have you designed dealing with this particular Homeowner Association? ___________________________
7. How many homes have you designed dealing with this city or county? ____________________________________________
8. What is your educational background? _______________________________________________________________________
9. What is your background and experience as a home architect? __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________
10. How many homes are you currently involved in designing? _____________________________________________________
11. How many homes are you currently bidding to design? ________________________________________________________
12. How long do you think this particular home will take to design? _________________________________________________
13. How are you compensated? _______________________________________________________________________________
What is the schedule of payments? ____________________________________________________________________________
14. What type of insurance do you carry? _______________________________________________________________________ Please provide a copy of your current Certificate of Insurance
15. Are you a member of AIA? __________ Any other organizations? ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________
16. Please provide the names and contact information of the owners of last five homes you have designed. Also give a brief explanation of the job you did.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________
17. Please provide proof that you are licensed to work in this state.
18. Have any of your home designs been featured in magazines? If so, list the publications and dates.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
19. Have you won any design awards? If so, provide a list. _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Please submit these answers on or before ______________________________________________________________________
You can mail them to _______________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Or fax them to _____________________________________________________________________________________________
Thank you for your time and efforts.
File in Binder 2:
Hiring Your Team
Builder Questionnaire
1. How many homes have you built with construction costs of $ _____________________________? ____________________
2. How many homes have you built with approximately _______________________ square feet? _______________________
3. What is the most expensive home you have built? $ _________________________
4. What is the largest home you have built?____________________ square feet.
5. Check any of these situations for which you have building experience. Note the number of homes you have built in these situations.
| On a cliff _____ | Flood-prone area ____ | Sandy soil area ____ |
| Dry desert area _____ | Humid wet area _____ | Steep Slope ____ |
| Dry mountain area ____ | Hurricane area _____ | Tornado area _____ |
| Earthquake area _____ | Rocky ground _____ |
6. How many homes have you built dealing with this particular Homeowner Association? _______________________________
7. How many homes have you built dealing with this city or county? ________________________________________________
8. What is your educational background? _______________________________________________________________________
9. What is your home construction background and experience? ___________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________
10. How many homes are you currently involved in building? ______________________________________________________
11. How many homes are you currently bidding to build? _________________________________________________________
12. How long do you think this particular home will take to build? __________________________________________________
13. How are you compensated? ______________________________________________________________________________
14. Please provide a copy of your current Certificate of Insurance.
15. Do you have workman’s compensation? ____________________________________________________________________
16. Are you a member of any home builder associations? If so, list. __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________
17. Please provide the names and contact information of the owners of the last five homes you have built. Also give a brief explanation of the job you did.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________
18. Please provide proof that you are licensed to build in this state.
19. Have you received any building awards? ____________________________________________________________________
20. Have any homes you have built been featured in magazines? If so, list the publications and dates.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Please submit these answers on or before ______________________________________________________________________
You can mail them to _______________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Or fax them to _____________________________________________________________________________________________
Thank you for your time and efforts.
Interview: Noteworthy comments made by architects ____________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Site visit: Noteworthy comments made by architects _____________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Overall impression of architects on site visit _____________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Rate your personal impression
Compatibility ______________________________________________________________________________________________
Intuitive feeling ____________________________________________________________________________________________
Interview: Noteworthy comments made by interior designers ______________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Site visit: Noteworthy comments made by interior designers _______________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Overall impression of interior designers on site visit ______________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Rate your personal impression
Compatibility ______________________________________________________________________________________________
Intuitive feeling ____________________________________________________________________________________________
Interview: Noteworthy comments made by builders ______________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Site visit: Noteworthy comments made by builders _______________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Overall impression of builders on site visit ______________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Rate your personal impression
Compatibility ______________________________________________________________________________________________
Intuitive feeling ____________________________________________________________________________________________
File in Binder 2:
Hiring Your Team
Architect Comparison Chart
| Architect Firm | Contact Name | Address | Phone | Fax | E-mail Address |
| A | |||||
| B | |||||
| C |
| Answers to Questionnaire | Architect Firm A | Architect Firm B | Architect Firm C |
| Number of homes designed with approximately ____ square feet | |||
| Largest square foot home designed | |||
| Most expensive home designed | |||
| Number of homes designed on a similar challenge as this lot | |||
| Number of homes designed in this HOA | |||
| Number of homes designed in this municipality | |||
| Number of years of experience | |||
| Number of projects currently working | |||
| Number of projects currently being considered to design | |||
| Compensation plan | |||
| Type of insurance carried | |||
| Percentage of time design comes within 5 percent of the proposed budget | |||
| If over budget, are revisions free? | |||
| Involved in any lawsuits | |||
| Licensed by state |
File in Binder 2:
Hiring Your Team
Interior Designer Comparison Chart
| Interior Design Firm | Contact Name | Address | Phone | Fax | E-mail Address |
| A | |||||
| B | |||||
| C |
| Answers to Questionnaire | Designer A | Designer B | Designer C |
| Rate the portfolio | |||
| Education background | |||
| Years of experience as an interior designer | |||
| Most expensive budget for an interior design job | |||
| Least expensive budget for an interior design job | |||
| Is a contract required? | |||
| Penalties for terminating contract | |||
| Number of current projects | |||
| Number of projects being considered to do | |||
| Biggest pet peeve a homeowner can do | |||
| Rate how you perceive the process of doing business | |||
| Timetable provided | |||
| Organization structure of interior design firm | |||
| Other comments |
File in Binder 2:
Hiring Your Team
Builder Comparison Chart
| Builder Name | Contact Name | Address | Phone | Fax | E-mail Address |
| A | |||||
| B | |||||
| C |
| Answers to Questionnaire | Builder A | Builder B | Builder C |
| Number of homes built with approximately ____ square feet | |||
| Largest square foot home built | |||
| Most expensive home built | |||
| Number of homes built on a similar challenge as this lot | |||
| Number of homes built in this HOA | |||
| Number of homes built in this municipality | |||
| Number of years of experience | |||
| Number of projects currently working | |||
| Number of projects currently being considered to build | |||
| Biggest pet peeve a homeowner can do | |||
| Compensation plan | |||
| Type of insurance carried | |||
| Percentage of time building costs comes within 5 percent of the proposed budget | |||
| Involved in any lawsuits | |||
| Licensed by state |
File in Binder 8: Financial, Legal,
and Insurance Information
Architect Site Visit Form
Date of visit _________________________
Person making the visit _____________________________________________________________________________________
Did you meet with anyone at the site? If so, who? ________________________________________________________________
Purpose of the site visit _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Outcome of the visit _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Length of time of the visit ___________________________________________________________________________________
Signature of person visiting __________________________________________________________________________________
File in Binder 8: Financial, Legal,
and Insurance Information
Change Order Form
Date ______________________________________ Trade _________________________________________________________
Ordered by _________________________________________________________________________________________________
Description _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________
1. ____________________________________________________ $ ________________
2. ____________________________________________________ $ ________________
3. ____________________________________________________ $ ________________
4. ____________________________________________________ $ ________________
5. ____________________________________________________ $ ________________
Total cost $ _________________
Homeowner signature ____________________________________________________ Date ___________________________
General contractor signature ________________________________________________ Date ___________________________