|
1. Should we renovate our current home or buy another home or build another home? Most homeowners thinking about renovation struggle with this question. And it is no wonder, for there are many factors that must be explored to find your answer to this question. It often requires the consultation of architectural, real estate, financial, and tax professionals. We often consult with homeowners on the architectural aspects of this question. How large an addition could we add and where could it go? What would be the impacts upon our existing home? What kind of budget would we need? What kind of time frame would the project take? And so on… This type of investigation, is common to the beginning of all of our renovation projects and thus if the project continues beyond these preliminary investigations, any hourly fees generated in these services are rolled into the standard design fees. 2. How should I go about selecting an architect for my project? All architects vary in their individual style, approach to design, and their methods. It’s important to find one who is compatible with your style and needs. Don’t just look at beautiful pictures, it takes the work of many people to create an inviting space and it is often difficult to discern just what elements the architect was responsible for. Get references and talk to past clients; find out what their experience was like, what were the architect’s strengths and shortcomings. Meet with the architect. You are entrusting the care of one of your biggest investments to this person, be sure you feel they are competent and at the same time approachable. You will be spending a good deal of time with your architect and a good working chemistry is essential. Ask questions. Use the questions below as a starting point and get answers from each of the architects you are considering. 3. What are the steps in the design process? I. Schematic Design (Design Phase): A. Introductory Meeting with Client(s) · Review Entropy Limited’s services · Begin to define project objectives through client interviews · Review Engineering subcontractors if applicable · Begin to define project budget · Review bidding and construction process · Review contract and insurance B. Exploration of Existing Conditions · Create scaled drawings, including site offsets and orientation · Identify and record existing construction systems, surfaces, and inadequacies · Identify and record existing utility systems or lack thereof (i.e. Electrical, plumbing, heating, ventilation and cooling) · Identify and record existing appliances, their dimensions and their requirements. · Identify and record existing furnishings and their dimensions. · Identify and record existing special needs (i.e. Storage, circulation, functional usage, aesthetics, etc.) · Identify and record potential resources · Photographs C. Integrate Data and Develop Potential Design Solutions · Research municipal requirements and code analysis · Further development of project objectives through client interviews · Development of alternative design solutions · Analysis of alternative design solutions merits · Client reviews · Basic design selection · Cost Estimate II. Design Development and Construction Drawings: A. Development of Design Details · Coordination with consulting engineers as necessary · Develop exterior elevations or 3D perspectives as necessary · Develop interior elevations or 3D perspectives as necessary · Develop interior design scheme · Identification and presentation of material and product options (plumbing, lighting, trim, flooring, counters, cabinetry, finishes, hardware, etc.) · Client reviews B. Creation of Construction Documents · Prepare Construction Documents · Plot check set · Client review · Plot bid, construction, and municipal review sets C. Bid Process · Identification of Potential Contractors · Submit bid sets to contractors · Field questions and distribute answers from/to bidders · Contractor interviews 1. Review contractor submittals (references, insurance, licenses) 2. Review job scope and contractor’s relevant experience 3. Review contractor’s crew and schedule 4. Review contractor’s subcontractors 5. Review Owner-Contractor Contract 6. Identify form of bid, including alternates and allowances · Review bids and select contractor · Review contractor’s contract with owner. · Review merits of establishing an owner’s contingency fund to take care of unforeseen conditions and design changes · Distribute construction and code review documents III. Construction Administration (Construction Phase): A. Communication · Make on-site inspections at intervals appropriate to the stage of construction · Set up regular on-site meetings to review progress and address contractor’s questions. 1. Take meeting notes and distribute to all parties · Visit the site to inspect work as often as is necessary. 1. Take inspection notes and distribute to all parties · Review Request for Changes with owner 1. Create and distribute to all parties · Review contractor’s change orders and advise owner(s) · Review contractor’s request for payment and advise owner(s) · Develop punch list and distribute 4. How much will the project cost? This is one question that you get to answer. Although you may not know the answer from the start, in the end the project will be tailored to meet your budget. There are several methods that we use to make this happen. To begin with, we will help you to establish a budget if you do not already have one. If you do have a figure in mind, then we will fine-tune the project as necessary to meet that figure. To ensure that the project is on track, we will have a contractor do a preliminary estimate towards the end of schematic design (see Question #3). This estimate will require a walk-thru by the contractor and his sub-contractors so that they can see the existing conditions and provide us with a good estimate. Based upon this estimate and the established budget we will further refine the project as required. Additionally, we will discuss the necessity of establishing a construction contingency to handle any unforeseen issues. One of the best assurances against construction cost increases is a well-detailed set of construction documents. These are the drawings (nostalgically know as blueprints) from which bidding contractors will determine their best fees for the project. The better detailed the construction drawings, the more comparable the competing bids will be. It is important that the contractors do not have any leeway to “interpret” the project. Thus, we can take comfort in knowing that the low bid includes everything the higher bids included. Once a contractor has been chosen to build the project, these same detailed construction drawings will define the scope of your contract with the General Contractor. There the detail will serve to minimize any unforeseen cost increases, allowing you to hold onto more of the contingency. 5. How much will design services cost for the project? The basic design fee for each project varies due to the size, complexity, location, and design services required. We will provide, depending on your preference, either a fixed fee or a fee as a percentage of construction cost for your project. In addition, we will provide you with a written proposal, outlining the scope of the project, and the services to be performed. In addition to the basic design fee there will be several reimbursable fees as follows. Engineering fees required for the project shall be reimbursable to Entropy. Typically, only structural engineering, and sometimes soils engineering services are required. Reproduction fees for the printing of construction documents shall also be reimbursable to Entropy. These fees cover the costs of making project document sets for review, permitting, bidding, and construction and they will typically run in the $100-400.00 range Lastly, municipal fees, paid by Entropy, shall also be reimbursable. These include permit fees, review fees, variance hearing fees, covenant design review fees, etc. 6. Will we need the services of other professionals besides our architect? Yes. You will need the services of many professionals through this process. Real estate professionals may be required to help you to determine the projects feasibility and how it compares to other alternatives (See Question #1). Financial and tax professionals may be necessary to determine your ability and the desirability to finance the project. Insurance professionals may be required to help you to protect your investment and reduce your liability. Banking/mortgage professionals may be required to help finance the project. Additional design professionals may include structural engineers, soils engineers, land surveyors, interior designers and other specialty designers, such as kitchen, security, and home entertainment system designers. As your architect we will coordinate the services and products from any additional design professionals used on the project. 7. How long does the design and building process take? The design process varies depending upon project size and complexity, however most projects are ready for bidding and permit review in two to five months. The bidding and permit review process can usually be completed in one to two months. Construction also varies based upon project size and complexity, yet in most cases it will take from four to nine months. 8. What will we see along the way to explain the design? We use plan, elevation, sectional, and perspective drawings to convey the design to clients. We make two copies of these drawings and leave one with the client at every meeting, so that they have a record of the designs evolution. Our copy is used as a working paper and we add notes and sketches to record our meetings design direction. When the complexity of the design requires it, we will present a physical model, which is often modified to express various design directions. 9. What sets Entropy Limited apart from other architects? At Entropy Limited we understand that
providing excellent service to our clients, means much more than just
great design. We believe that
the practice of Architecture is twenty percent design and eighty percent
communication. Whether we are
communicating with our clients to understand their project goals and
visions, or whether we are communicating with the building department to
express our compliance with the various codes, or whether we are
communicating with the trades people who must fashion raw materials into
those visions and goals; we take as much pride in our ability to
communicate as we do in our ability to design.
This is the Entropy Limited
difference. We see your
project as an opportunity to meet your goals. We do not rely on the recognition
of Entropy Limited as a purveyor of trend-setting design in order to
attract new business. For us
great design is that which meets YOUR needs, delights YOUR senses, and fulfils YOUR visions. YOUR project is not our next award
submittal. Rather we prefer
to build our clientele, from the recommendations of our past clients. The success of your project in YOUR eyes is our measure of
success. 10. Do you have a list of past clients that I can contact? Yes. We are very proud of our references and we happily provide those during our complimentary consultation with prospective clients. 11. How disruptive will construction be? Can we remain living in the house during construction? The answers to these questions depend on the scope of the project, the needs of the homeowner, and upon the contractor. Construction by its very nature is noisy, and dusty. Most likely, all of the mechanical and electrical systems will be disrupted at one time or another. And it’s likely that these systems will be disrupted for many consecutive days. How disruptive this is to the lifestyle of the homeowner depends upon their needs and upon the contractor. If the homeowner must live in the home during construction, the contractor will be required to reconnect the electrical, mechanical and plumbing systems each day following construction. Not only will this will add to the construction cost, but it will also slow down the construction process. Some contractors refuse to take on a project with homeowners in occupancy. It is our experience that for all but the most minor or well-separated projects it is best for the homeowners to move out of the home during construction.
|
.gif){kind=small} Home About Entropy Limited
Portfolio Testimonials Contact
Information |