When and why to use an architect

What I hoped to do first, was explain when you need an architect, why you should use one and what we do. The first question I usually hear is “ Do I need an architect? The answer is a definite maybe- The analogy I make is to a doctor, sometimes a visit to the drugstore and rest will do the trick, but when you break your arm you don’t want that approach. When you are building something new, or modifying an existing structure-such as moving walls, changing the levels in your building or lot, adding on or moving areas around- the answer is yes. When your putting up shelves or re-doing the color scheme not really.

The next question is “can’t you just stamp the plans I drew and be done with it? “I am certain I know what I need… here….”. please don’t ask us to seal or stamp someone else’s drawing because it is against the law.

Do we need an architect or engineer? The purvey of an architect and engineer overlap in many ways and we often work together on many projects. One may specifically hire an engineer in cases such as : where there are cracks in your foundation-a structural engineer would be retained; where poor drainage appears to create ponding on your site- a civil engineer should be hired; if a building was subject to poor heating- a mechanical engineer would be engaged.

Think for a moment- you may be about to cough up thousands of dollars in construction costs, devote a huge portion of time and effort to a project that you, with little or no related experience is going to design, get the right contractor for, monitor the construction and figure out how to get the different authorities to approve…..it just is unlikely to happen.

Many a builder will say we’ll just do this and it’ll cost that and we’ll have it done by such and such. And the result will generally be what is easy for the builder to build- at a high profit with little consideration as to how it works and what it will look like..

…. There are always questions as to the construction costs, will it be worth it, consider that it cost about $275/sf to build new residential houses here, -vs- $400+/sf to buy in whatever used condition is available-you do the math.

A decent architect comes to your home or office and asks a lot of questions about what your objectives and goals are, what are your current needs, future needs. Are there budget or aesthetic considerations, timing, building and zoning code and schedule implications. They try to look between the lines and interpret what you are saying and with their experience try to understand your priorities. We translate those needs into drawings that we’ll review with you.

The drawings range from the most general-like where the building will be located, what to will be built of, and down to the details such as where the light switch will be located. The drawings should reflect what needs to occur in order to get the project built in a practical, code-worthy, enduring manner that looks great.....

Generally, these drawings need to be edited and refined before actually being built. In a residential project we might start with the basics –layout, orientation and size of the house, then work toward the details- different finishes, flooring, lighting and even furniture, we eventually get into the nitty-gritty-the couples who need to have separate closets because of the husbands’ smelly shoes, or the need for a separate vanity because of the wife’s reckless liquid soap application-al true….. We then develop those preliminary drawings into technical drawings with dimensions and specifications indicating the type of materials to be used by the contractors in building the project and also enable the municipalities to approve or comment on the proposed work.

To help get those approvals, we come to municipal meetings such as zoning board hearings, architectural review board meetings or to the planning board to help you navigate through the approvals and paper trail or we’ll come meet with your landlord or managing agent in an office situation to help you gain the most favorable terms for your lease. Around this time we also help bid the project out to several contractors and help you evaluate their bids –so we know if we are comparing apples to apples….and then help you prepare the actual contract or agreement that is more-pro-owner that any document a contractor would have you sign.

Once the building gets underway, the better architects visit the project frequently and monitor the construction progress and quality, answer contractor questions and help advise the Owner as to contractor payments and changes that may be required due to address hidden conditions, code changes, changes in design , substitutions or whatever.

Often we will shop or go to different showrooms with clients to help them choose different finishes, equipment or fixtures for their home or office.

At the end of the project, we help prepare a “punchlist” whicj identifies remedial or missing work that needs to be completed.

What you can do to be a great client and save yourself money and aggrevation:

I think you’ll agree that you try to give everybody good service, but we are human and some customers get better service. Here’s how:

Don’t play the squeaky wheel card too early. There basically 3 components to most service –speed, quality and price and they all move in divergent directions. If you rush it generally quality will be sacrificed.

I have a client that invited me to their house for their Christmas Party, though we had just started working together- to see how they entertain-it puts me far ahead in the learning curve. Do you homework, research, ask friends, neighbors and relatives about their experiences. Get your stuff into storage or protected, think ahead how will the space be used-now and in the future….

Be realistic – if your cousin paid $400,000 to remodel their store 3 years ago and your contemplating the same work several years later in this competitive market, don’t be surprised when the work comes back 15% higher and takes a month longer. Make as many of your decisions early on and try to stick with them. If good work is being done let your builder of architect know-it usually is more valuable than the payment. When work is not done to your satisfaction, discuss the shortcomings in a rational and specific manner and “raise the bar” -couch the comment in the disappointed father “we heard such great things about your outfit and we hope that this is just a temporary setback…” When you see something awry don’t say” That’s not how Norm doe it on this old house!”

Try to relax-it is a very stressful experience, not only are you affected by the meetings with the architect and builder, you are frequently displaced during construction, there can be interruptions in your routine and there are financial dynamics too.