WHY HIRE US?:

Q:    In Planning an addition or construction of a new home what decision will have the most impact on the ultimate outcome?

A:    Some people will say a builder but before the first foundation is laid your decision to hire an architect can either make or break not only the usability of your home but also the aesthetics/value added by the architect. The perception is that hiring an architect costs money that could reduce construction/furniture desired however, nothing could be further from the truth. The value added by good architectural design far outweighs its cost. Case in Point: Houses designed by architects verses not usually are valued at between 15-25 percent higher than similar houses of equal square footage. Why? Because the value of quality designs, less wasted space, sound circulation/flow inside the house; aesthetic interior conceptualization are only foreshadowed by the beautiful exterior – making it home!

More homes are sold before the prospective buyer even sets foot out of the car! First impressions lasts a lifetime, something only an architect can do and something that transcends it being just a house ….. making it your home. But beware! All architects are not created equal. Realize that an alarming number of architects do not even carry liability insurance! To make matters worse there is no regulation of fees. This makes selecting an architect primary to the impact/outcome of your dream house!

Firstly forget about the fee. If the value added by this service is only 10% of say a $750,000 Home your have saved $75,000! Over 5 times the fee! Your job is to find the right architect that will make this happen. One that embodies your principals, has a vision, cannot only be creative but able to implement it and most importantly an architect who you feel comfortable with. The architect should be your pencil and paper and bring to the table not exactly what you tell him, but listen to you and make your “ideas become a reality” by creative, innovative design; while meeting your budgeting constraints. You as the client should research the architect much like you would a doctor or lawyer and when you find the one for you, yes you can negotiate a fair fee to both of you that is in line with industry standards not merely select an architect based upon price…. Because the old adage “you get what you pay for” is quite the reality, and will most surely affect your projects outcome, maybe even destroy it.If you make that mistake as a cost saving measure, the “bargain shopper” will ultimately ascertain blueprints, permits, and a house albeit many headaches but what they have given up is the design, detail and a complete set of prints that properly detail the project. They have allowed the builder “free reign” to build it any way he chooses contrary to your goals. More importantly a complete accurate set of prints protects you much the way a good lawyer would. Every line on these prints means something and holds the contractor to it. Without this detail even good design is wasted. Without good design the “bargain shopper” has lost the value added of what could have been an extra $150,000 or more and what could have made this house their “home”.