FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
The design industry has multiple ways of coming up with fees for cost of services for architects. All of them involve some form of a formula regarding area or percentage of what the project costs. I typically don't like using them for multiple reasons. Essentially a project that is straight forward will cost you less than a project that is of the same size but has lots of complications. I typically have a retainer of $500.00 to be paid upfront. Then once communication is reached, regarding the the scope, I'll provide a quote for cost of services for the scope agreed upon.
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
1. Retainer and make contact 2. Define the scope, schedule, and project needs. 3. Research and provide proposal for execution. 4. Schematic Design : initiate a design for confirmation of scope. 5. Construction Documents : Permit Documents & work with Contractor 6. Submit for permit **Typically we provide this as hourly** 7. Get final construction pricing and confirm cost 8. Update plans based on permit comments and cost comments. 9. Start and monitor construction 10. Finish the job. This is a simplified version of our design process and this does change based on the type of work or project being serviced. It should be noted permitting has become an extreme challenge and has been next to impossible to schedule for time and revisions.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have a five year professional architectural degree from Southern Polytechnic State University which merged with Kennesaw State University a few years back. I also have a National Council of Architectural Registration Board certification that allows me reciprocity in any state in the United States. I'm also Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certified and finally I'm also a member of the American Institutes of Architects.