FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
Pricing for Architectural Design Projects cannot be priced like a commodity. Architectural Design and time to complete is totally dependent upon the client, the site, the specific location, type of construction, type of occupancy and many other factors. Generally, for design and consultation we charge $75 per hour. Travel expense is the hourly rate plus $0.45 per mile. We have found that doing the design phase on an hourly rate and then providing a fixed fee for the permitting and construction drawings is more equitable for all parties. The reason this is better is because all required information is not known at the beginning. A floor and exterior elevations does not constitute, in our view, does not constitute construction drawings. The specific location, address of the property, is needed to verify the submittal content required by the Permitting Authority having Jurisdiction. In some cases local permitting authorities require, in addition to an Architect's Seal/Stamp and signature, that the Civil, Structural, Plumbing, HVAC and Electrical Drawings be Sealed/Stamped and signed by Professional Engineers licensed in the State of construction. These fees generally cannot be determined at the beginning. In the case of Single Family Residences, many homeowners have difficulty defining what they really want and do not know what they want until they see it. This makes the programming and design process very open ended. We do not recommend designing a residence before you have the property. In most instances, a boundary and topographic survey is needed to be able to properly design and site a residence. We will not design a residence unless we are allowed to provide complete construction documents. While it is possible to construct a residence from a floor plan and general elevations, it is not the most efficient method. The residence will be designed during construction and when the builder "hits a snag" the design decision will be an "after thought."
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
Discussion to determine the specific desire of the customer. Once the specific goal has been agreed upon, we advise the customer of the legal and code regulations, requirements and constraints which must be addressed. After it is clear that the proposed project can proceed, we interview the customer to develop a "program" for the project. After the program is developed and approved by the customer we proceed with the Schematic Design which generally includes the construction of 3D digital model which is updated throughout the design phase. After the design is finished and approved by the customer, the construction and permitting drawings are prepared.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have more than 40 years of combined experience in Architecture, Building Construction, Civil Engineering, Estimating, Technical Office and Project Management. I am a Registered [Licensed] Architect, currently registered in AL, FL, GA, NC, SC & TN. For Some reason Thumbtack will not verify my licenses, however, anyone who desires to check the Status of my licenses can go online to the State Architectural Licensing Board in the State where they want to check, find the section that describes "verify or search for a license" enter my name "James H. Jamison" and the information will be seen. I hold a Certificate from the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards which attests that I am a qualified and experienced Architect. This Certificate allows me to obtain registration in any State. I am a Certified Construction Specifier, certification issued by the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) I am a Level II Erosion, Pollution and Sediment Control Design Professional, certification issued by the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Service.