We get quite a few clients who want to do a renovation on a budget, if you can call NYC construction prices ‘budget.’ So we provide them with the professional services they need to get them on their way, resulting in a set of Construction Documents that help them obtain bids, a contractor and a work permit to do the work. Along the way we have interacted with all sorts of clients and inquiries…
While the drawings do not have the appeal of a professional rendering, they do act as the most important part of a contract between a contractor and owner as ‘the set’ represents everything that must be done in order to complete the project correctly. Along with an Architect’s site inspections during construction, the documents ensure that what is specified on the plans will get built properly and echo all the decisions, made in advance, of the client. To be honest, can you imagine having to make a quick decision on a flooring material the day the floor is supposed to be installed? All these decisions are best made in advance, allowing the contractor to compare prices rather than making initial selections, to help save the client money, and avoid costly delays.
In the following set of Construction Documents, for a 3 story plus basement renovation and conversion into 2 rental apartments, of a house the client grew up in, we provided them with the type of design that will increase their chances of having happy and long term tenants. Even one month of an unrented apartment can ruin any expected monthly income a landlord was expecting, so to avert this it is always best to design with certain qualities, and with certain amenities, that regular people always appreciate. This keeps the apartments occupied, and attracts the type of tenant who is more willing to keep the apartment in top condition which is yet another benefit to the client.
Of the diverse type of clients we get calls from, when we think of people who call us in a rush, as if hiring an Architect is optional, or only if it is absolutely required, we have to chuckle a little because we understand that even a small project may take 2 or 3 weeks to prepare the drawings. If they think an Architect is optional then what are they going to do for drawings? What about all those notes that are indeed required by the DOB and for that matter the Contractor. Are those type of potential clients really willing to put the quality of their investment in the hands of a Contractor? Really? Considering construction can easily cost over $100,000 for even small 1 floor projects why would anyone just throw that kind of money at a contractor without having a professional involved? And our notes alone are developed over years of experience, added to, modified and adjusted for changes in the industry, zoning or code. When is the rushed client ever going to get around to telling a contractor these things without the help of an Architect?
But one has to admit that like the client featured in this article with this set of drawings, they are smart and take all decisions about their project with careful consideration. They are willing to trust the Architect, and listen to the reasoning behind each decision including decisions based on their budget. They appreciate that there are priorities that outweigh wishes, items that must be built and compromises that need to be made.
And this article isn’t to point out that one can’t build without an Architect, as if we can hold people hostage in some way, but to hopefully help people better understand what the services of an Architect are all about. Just like one would seek a cardiologist if having a heart issue, or a veterinarian if their pet has an issue, when it comes to residential, office, commercial or other building type, there is no better investment.
As I often explain, I will probably save them money in construction cost, speed up the time to finish a project, but will also leave them with a renovation that they will truly love. Unlike a vehicle which someone might own for 5, 10 or perhaps 15 years, a building can last for generations, and while there are teams of designers and engineers designing vehicles, when it comes to a home there is no better way than to enlist the right visionary Architect to reflect a positive spirit that can last for decades of appreciation.
I’m also struct by those who are rushed when making an inquiry that usually their first question is ‘how much will this cost me.’ That, without any information about their project they want to know the price tag of our services. That, and the ‘rushed’ part of their call makes me think that, because they really don’t want to have to hire an Architect, that perhaps I will be convinced that my services aren’t worth every penny we charge. Maybe we will give them a huge discount, or whatever because we never have people asking us to charge them less than what we ask, so I’m not sure but perhaps they figured we reduced our price just for them.
As we always explain, we charge a reasonable fee for our time that reflects the effort we will make for their project.
In the end, we will explain the benefits of hiring an Architect, and as we always say ‘even if you don’t hire us, do yourself a favor and hire another Architect.’ There is no doubt in my own mind that it is the smartest thing one can do. Heck even on my own house renovation I hired an Architect to do the zoning calculations, to avoid any conflict of interest, and to assure any future home buyer that our house really is a legal structure.
And when all the construction has been reported as finished, the last professional on the job is the Architect, making sure everything is actually done, so you can move in, and live.