There are many reasons to use our team. I came across an article on the internet called “Six top reasons not to use an architect”. I will address those six reasons, and give rebuttals and reasons to use our team.
- They are too expensive.
- They will design something that is over my budget.
- They do not listen, and will only do what they want.
- An architect will just want to use me, and my project, to win awards
- I do not want anything complicated.
- My family and friends can do the same thing for much less.
Okay all six reasons above are valid when using some architects. Our team will avoid the pitfalls many architects fall into, by addressing the issues above with simple straightforward answers and solutions.
They are too expensive. We can fix this.
We cut our fees into 4 phases. They include Schematic design, Design Development, Construction Documents, and Construction administration. Each phase represents 25% of a typical project service fee. A typical project service fee is around 6 to 8 percent of the total construction cost. Some clients will not need all 4 phases. Some clients may only need 1 or 2 phases to get there home or building finished. Clients that do not need all phases usually include general contractors, builders, home repair workers, and developers. I recommend anyone without any residential or commercial building experience building and designing homes and buildings hire an architect for all 4 phases.
Schematic design is the first phase of design; however, there are some items required before this phase starts. A survey of the land you want to place your home or building on is one of few items needed before the schematic phase starts. The SD phase usually includes discussions about the size, height, and functions of the buildings. Local zoning and state codes play an important part during this phase. The phase usually ends when floor plans, exterior elevations, code analysis, and site analysis are complete. The first 25% of the project design fee is due. After payment is collected, we proceed to the next phase.
Our team would proceed to complete each phase in the same manner until we hit 75% completion. Our team will submit a signed and sealed permit set into your local building and zoning departments for review. Once the permitting/zoning department approves the drawings, they grant a permit to a contractor that you select. We can also assist in selecting a good competent licensed contractor. Construction may start after the contractor picks up the permit is most cases. Architects can assist in monitoring construction and assist in make sure all construction is complete before payments are made to the contractor.
We also allow up to 50% of the project service fee to be a part of the construction loan. Please see the payment options portion tab on our homepage for more information.
They will design something that is over my budget. We will not allow this to happen.
We will always ask for an overall construction, land, and dressed lot budget. We monitor the local building trends, and average construction costs. We will get costs estimates at the end of the Design Development and Construction Document phase. We also make sure our plans are clear to avoid change orders out in the field. We keep ourselves available to the contractor during construction to answer any questions and requests for information.
They don’t listen and will only do what they want. We always listen.
We have regular meetings with our clients. There is one before each phase ends. We strive to obtain client approval before each phase closes. A client can choose to move on to the next phase or opt out of the contract if not satisfied. I give clients that option at each phase. This strategy helps me determine if a client is truly happy or not. We do not move on to the next phase if a client is not happy with our services.
An architect will just want to use me, and my project to win awards; Not our team.
We will not submit any projects for awards without the consent of the owner. We do this to protect the privacy of our clients. Our main purpose is to deliver the best customer service that we can. Our personal needs come second to the needs of our clients.
I do not want anything complicated. We understand your needs.
Our primary focus is to make sure that our clients’ needs are our main priority. Great products must go through a thorough design process and R+D to make sure that the design and functionality works. We do that, but the difference between our firm and others is that we will not do this with your design budget. We will always recommend the latest and most efficient products, but it is ultimately the choice of the client on whether it is used or not. We strive for straight forward, common sense, economical design.
My family and friends can do the same thing for much less. We provide better value.
Our principal is a licensed architect with many years of experience. We hold an architecture license in the State of Florida, with the ability to be licensed in all 50 states using reciprocity under the National Council of Architecture Registration Board in the United States. Some folks are competent and may not need our services for their own residential projects. Homes and buildings are expensive. It is smart to make sure your home functions well. A good architect and engineer can eliminate potential structural, heating, cooling, and electrical problems. We help eliminate many issues that happen during the construction process. It is hard for unlicensed designers to get this right. We are not saying it is impossible, but hiring our team is a better option.
Weeks Architecture and Design Studio
Marvin Weeks – Principal – AIA NCARB
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