FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
We don't have a standard pricing system per se. Every project it's different and the requirements are different. But we are very open minded and we are ready to listen to the customer if he comes with a great idea that works for both parties. In general we ask for a deposit after we agreed that we will work together. Then the second payments is required before the drawings are submitted for permit and the final payment is required after the permit has been approved. Sometimes the client wants further involvement of the Architect in the construction process so we produce a separate agreement to take on those additional services.
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
First we have a free no obligation meeting with the possible customer. We listen to what he expect from our services and we tell him what he can expect from our services. After the agreement is signed, we come up with a couple of very schematic options, and once we agreed on the direction we want to take the project, we explore further the different possibilities. Schematic design it's a very important process because we discuss with the clients the pros and cons of every option, related to the program, location and sometimes budget discussion got involved early in the process. We value the economic situation of the customer and we work toward a solution that will not break his peace of mind. We meet a couple of times after that and we may have some phone conversations about materials, finishes, etc. We also like to have contractors involved at this early stage to get a real sense of the cost of the construction, to make sure the client can afford the design we are working on. At this point, the project it's ready to go into the documentation for constructions and permits, and in many occasions some minimal changes may occur. After a couple of weeks of work, we submit the project for permit and a bid set is distributed among several contractors and we will support the client to make the best possible choice. We are open to the clients during the construction process, sometimes as part of the original contract and sometimes as an additional service. We usually include a couple of sites visit in our standard contract.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
In these days it's impossible to stay outdated. Technologies change and improve almost daily. The same regarding the current changes ion the use of the different spaces and functions. In our firm we keep updated with the latest technologies for construction and for the representation of the idea we want to communicate to our clients.