Residential Designing & Drafting

Q. Describe the most common types of jobs you do for your clients.

A. Most of my projects are additions and fire restorations which I find more challenging than custom homes, for the most part. Many issues must be considered in the overall design, current structure and Building/Fire Codes. I do occasionally custom homes but the lack of clients has been related to the current housing market. Even in doing additions, most owners do not have the means to use any equity and some have lost investment monies. This has effected my work load but I can only hope that the future is more promising. I do enjoy kitchen designs because I can make them more user friendly and add features that enhance the overall appearance.

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. Understand that this is the most important step before contacting contractors. Hiring a designer/architect based on price alone is foolish. Look for a person who listens, has experience, knowledge and most importantly, the ability to transpose thoughts into reality.

Q. What questions should a consumer ask to hire the right service professional?

A. Do they have good referrals? Are the projects they have designed done with owners requests in mind? Do they strive for complete customer satisfaction? If they get 'red lines', do they correct these at no cost to the consumer unless it requires engineering? Are they willing to listen? Can they provide good communication and be ready to answer questions without reservation?

Q. What important information should buyers have thought through before seeking you out?

A. Do they have a realistic budget in mind? Sketches, cut-outs or itemized list of what they want? Have they talked to any contractors and if so, have they suggested getting plans drawn first in which to prepare a solid bid proposal rather than 'ballpark' estimates? Are they ready to build now? How is this project being paid for?

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. Providing great designs for clients is always rewarding and as some people say...anyone can design! I feel that what I do for a living means that I must and always perform the best services for my clients. In saying that, it starts with listening, comprehending and understanding the clients goals. This must be converted into final construction documents but we start at design concepts first. If you are not looking at the entire project, i.e. from design viewpoint, structural issues, mechanical,electrical, building and fire codes in the initial stages, you have nothing. Details and information is critical. Failure to provide excellent plans for a project to get constructed can cost the client thousands of dollars. A contractor cannot provide a bid proposal if too many issues are unknown or unclear. Having many years in the field as a carpenter-General Contractor, I take the time to evaluate what I am designing and how it can be built with the least amount of expense in time and material. My testimonials speak for themselves of which I am very proud of!

Q. What do you wish customers knew about you or your profession?

A. That it is not a click here and a click there and you're done! It takes time to produce good designs, knowledge of construction methods and products is crucial. The ability to produce good final construction documents takes many hours and those that lack ability, will create higher costs. Fees for services are not always as cheap as they feel they should be. Maybe this is because they think the computer does all the work. How wrong they are! As a residential building designer, fees are usually less than an Architect but sometimes an Architect is needed and I don't hesitate to advise consumers of this. My experience tells me when this is needed but I always provide the truth. A designer should know their limitations and consumers should be advised of the same.