FAQs
- What types of customers have you worked with?
Most of our residential work tends to be Master Suites of kitchen remodels. It is really quite amazing the opportunity for improvements within the existing footprint of your home. A simple change in the roof line or reorganization of internal spaces can reduce the wasted space you now require for circulation. A more efficient Kitchen space blended with your current Dinning room will make entertaining and family life more pleasing to all.
- What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?
Every architecture firm brings its own combination of skills, expertise, interests, and values to its projects. The challenge is to find the one that aligns most closely with your projects needs. Here are some questions to address when meeting with a prospective architect. Experience What is your design philosophy? What sets your firm apart from other architects with similar experience? Do you have experience with the building type and size of my project? Will you share with me a portfolio of similar projects and provide a list of client references? Who from the architecture firm will I be dealing with on a regular basis? Is this the person who will design my project? My Project Are you interested enough in this project to make it a priority? What challenges do you foresee for my project? What do you see as the important issues or considerations in my project? What is your estimated timetable for my project? What means will you use to collect information about my needs, goals, etc.? How will you help me to fully understand the scope and sequence of the project? Will you utilize models, drawings, or computer animation? Design What are the steps in the design process, and how are they organized? What criteria will be used to establish priorities and make design decisions? What do you expect me to provide? How disruptive will construction be? What role do you have during construction? Am I expected to work with the contractor directly? Green Design Do you have experience with green or sustainable design? Do you regularly integrate low or no cost sustainable design strategies into projects? Considering the many areas that may be affected by sustainable design, how will you determine which options to pursue? If sustainable design technologies are implemented, do upfront costs exist that may affect the construction budget? What are the expected pay back times? Fees How do you establish fees? In anticipation of a formal proposal with costs, what would you expect your fee to be for this project? What is included in your basic services and what services would incur additional fees? If the scope of the project changes later in the project, will there be additional fees? How will these fees be justified? How will this be communicated to me? What is your track record with completing a project within the original budget?
- What questions should customers think through before talking to professionals about their project?
To get the most out of working with an architect, it's important to communicate your needs and preferences. Pre-planning and open communication help your architect create the most appropriate design solutions for your project. Following are issues to consider that can help you start a productive dialogue. Money A building or renovation project involves present and future economic commitments. Once your project is complete, furnishings, day-to-day operations, maintenance and future repairs add to the total cost. Your architect can help you develop a realistic estimate through a life-cycle cost analysis, which calculates expected future operating and maintenance costs. Decide what's affordable, or limit the budget and make this cost limitation part of the architect's written agreement. Design Consider what you want both aesthetically and functionally from your project. What is the time frame for occupying the structure? What are the indoor and outdoor space requirements or the likely movements and interactions of those using the building? Answering these questions will not only save time with your architect, but provide insight into uses and operating conditions. Location Think about what you need from a site. If you've chosen or are considering specific sites, begin to match your list of needs to what the actual properties offer. Your architect can identify unusual or troublesome site conditions such as soil irregularities, drainage difficulties, or problematic slopes. You and your architect will also make site decisions involving orientation and design, depending on your specific preferences, such as the use of sun for heating. Lifestyle For residential design projects, your architect will consider aspects of your lifestyle, like your desire for privacy, plans for family, entertaining needs and interest in gardening. In addition to your immediate requirements, discuss your thoughts or expectations concerning future uses of your home. While concrete answers may be elusive, including them in discussion can enlighten your architect's design.