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07-10-01 Ten Small Projects That Can Transform Your Home.pdf
Media Contact: R Guerin 860-434-9689 / email
Ten Small Projects That Can Transform Your Home
LYME, CONNECTICUT - 1 July 2010
Architectural Services
We provide comprehensive architectural services for new construction and renovation. Traditionally these break down into three phases: Architectural Design, Contract Documents and Construction Administration. Additional services can be provided which may include Existing Conditions Documentation, Post-Construction Documentation, Preparation of Submittals to Public Agencies, Presenting Before Public Agencies and Site Planning to name a few.
Getting Acquainted
Our first meeting with you starts the whole process. This is your project. It is extremely important that we come to know who you are and what you are like. It can become quite personal, especially if designing a residence. Your daily routine and habits inform our design. So do your aspirations and dreams. We are good listeners and take lots of notes.
Doing Our Homework
Before we begin any design work, we need to do a little homework. Information regarding your site's specifics such as zone, setbacks, wetlands, etc. will be investigated. You may need to provide a survey of your property.
Let the Designing Begin
We generally like to present a few options when discussing initial concepts. Feedback from you is vital. We invite you to inform us when you dislike anything, and of course when you do. We do not disappear and come back with a finished design. This is a team effort and you are the most important part of that team. At the same time, our professional experience may suggest a certain course of action, but together the result is always something uniquely ours. There will be times when we must weigh our different options and make sometimes difficult choices because of expense or other constraints.
Assembling Our Team
Design projects involve a great many people all working toward a common goal. This group may include structural, electrical and site engineers, millwork people, kitchen, tile and interior designers. While we may not use the services of all of them, it is important to get anyone with design input involved early in the project to coordinate and resolve areas of possible conflict. We believe that all egos should be checked at the door.
Preliminary Estimating
We use the services of one of our bidding contractors to provide some preliminary feedback with regard to cost. It is always better and more cost effective to make adjustments to the design while it is still in a schematic form. It is only when your project's cost and its scope come close together that we begin the Drawings for Construction.
Once Called Blueprints
Our office prides itself on producing a complete and detailed set of Working Drawings for bidding. Along the way to their completion many particulars will be ironed out with your input. This set of drawings will include a level of detail which will be the instructions on how to build your dream.
Let's Start the Bidding
The most efficient way to get the best price on building your project is to put it out to competitive bid. Each bidder prices the same set of drawings and specifications which allows an apples to apples comparison. Further, because each contractor knows it is a bid situation they tend to give their best possible price.
The Ground Breaks
During the Construction phase, we will act as go-between for you and your chosen contractor. We perform periodic site visits to assess compliance to the Construction Documents on your behalf. We approve payment requests from the contractor, answer questions and follow changes. We retain a percentage of contractor fee until completion of a final punch list.
Types of Compensation
Typically an architect's fee is based on a percentage of the construction cost plus reimbursable expenses. This percentage has not changed much since the 1930's. Architects can be hourly compensated, paid on a price per square foot basis or for an agreed upon portion of work to be performed.
Copyright 2010 Russell Guerin Architects, pc. All rights reserved.
