Working on Your House
Most prospective residential clients have not had experience working with an architect. For that reason, we want to give you a preview of the process and what to expect when you work with us.
Most prospective residential clients have not had experience working with an architect. For that reason, we want to give you a preview of the process and what to expect when you work with us.
|
New Homes
INITIAL CONSULTATION Without further obligation, you may make an appointment to meet with Greg Grew, Architect at our office. This meeting can take up to two hours to explore what you are looking for in your new home and how he can best serve you. Based on that meeting he is usually able to prepare a proposal outlining our role in the project and what the fee will be. DESIGN PHASE Based on your project requirements, the physical characteristics of the site and other factors, Greg Grew will prepare sketches of the basic design of your home with floor plans and exterior views or elevations. A preliminary construction cost estimate can be prepared which is usually based on square foot cost data. Then Greg will sit down with you and go over the design and costs. Your comments will be considered and appropriate revisions or adjustments will be made. Once you are generally satisfied with the design and projected costs we can then proceed to the next phase... CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS PHASE This is the crucial work that will accurately define the project that contractors can bid with firm prices, a building permit can be issued, and the actual construction can be executed. Drawings are prepared that usually consist of the following: * Foundation plan * Floor plans * Ceiling plans * Roof plan * Exterior elevations * Cross sections * Sections & details * Window and door schedules * Enlarged kitchen & baths * Structural framing plans * Electrical plans * Heating plans * Air conditioning plans * Site & landscape plans For new custom homes we usually prepare a document of specifications to spell out the quality of work expected from contractors. BID PHASE Once the Construction Documents are done, we can distribute them to preselected contractors to bid on the entire project or various elements or trades. We will review the bids and assist you in deciding who to contract with. CONSTRUCTION PHASE During construction, we can serve you in an administrative capacity by monitoring the construction work, reporting to you about the quality of the construction and review the contractors' paperwork such as payment applications. A second option is for us to serve as Construction Manager and supervise the work of individual subcontractors for the project. In this case, there is no general contractor. We provide this service for a lump sum fee. A third option is for us to be the General Contractor and be fully responsible for construction of the project. 
Working on front of custom home on Scofield Rd in Washington CT
|
Additions & Remodeling
INITIAL CONSULTATION The first thing to do is call our office and arrange for Greg Grew, Architect, to come see your home and talk about the reasons for the project. Normally, this first visit is without further obligation for you to hire us. This visit usually lasts for up to two hours and allows a good mutual exchange about your needs, wants, ideas and budget. Feel free to "pick his brain" about design, construction, permits and any other questions you might have about the process. Greg will offer his ideas and views. If you are still interested in our services, within a few days we will submit to you a proposal outlining the services we would offer and the proposed fee. We can also furnish references from past clients who are happy to tell you about their experience with us. If after thoughtful consideration you desire to hire us, we gladly move on to the first phase of you project... DESIGN PHASE Usually within two weeks of your hiring us we schedule a visit to measure and photograph either the entire house or relevant portions if it is a project limited to certain areas. Then we draft CAD drawings of these existing conditions to be used as our working base. Next we will prepare sketches of our design for the project consisting of floor plans and exterior views. We can prepare a construction cost estimate to get a "ballpark figure" to help you determine whether the entire project is affordable or if it can be reduced or expanded. We sit down with you and thoroughly review this work. We will make changes to the design based on your review and comments. CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS PHASE Once you have approved the design, we proceed to prepare the final drawings that contractors bid from, you can obtain a permit with, and can actually be used for constructing the project. These drawings will usually include any or all the following: * Foundation plan * Demolition plan * Floor plans * Exterior elevations * Cross sections * Sections & details as necessary * Doors & windows schedules * Enlargements of kitchens & baths * Framing plans * Electrical plans * Heating plans * Air conditioning plans * Site or landscape plan Depending on the extent of the project we may prepare a document of specifications to spell out the materials and quality of work expected from the contractors. BID PHASE Once the drawings are done, we can distribute them to preselected bidders to bid on the project or various elements or trades. We will review the bids and assist you in deciding who to contract with. CONSTRUCTION PHASE During construction, we can serve you in an administrative capacity by monitoring the construction work, reporting to you about the quality of the construction and review contractors' paperwork such as payment applications. A second option is for us to serve as Construction Manager and supervise the work of individual subcontractors for the various trades. In this case, there is no general contractor. We provide this service for a lump sum fee. A third option is for us to be the General Contractor and be fully responsible for the entire construction project. |
Contracts & Fees
PERCENTAGES
You may have heard that architects charge anywhere from 10 to 15% of your construction cost for their fees. Some work that way, however we have a problem with that. There is really no motivation for us to work at keeping costs down or within budget. The more the project costs you, the more we get paid! Now, if you have unlimited resources that may be fine but it does not serve the interests of most of our clients.
HOURLY RATES
When it is difficult for you or us to define the extent of the project or our services, then we usually will work on an hourly basis at least through the Design Phase. For the year 2018 our rates are as follows:
* Greg Grew, architect: $250
* Other consultants: Cost + 10%
* Reimbursable expenses: Cost + 10%
LUMP SUM
In most cases we are able to define the scope of the project and our participation. When that is the case, we simply determine how much time will be involved and quote a fixed sum as our fee. We will provide a breakdown of the fee among the phases of the project and a schedule of payments.
REALITY CHECK
Greg Grew is a licensed and highly experienced professional, he has overhead, and provides his clients with much value for his services. We do not try to compete on fees with mail-order plan services, unlicensed drafting or design services, or homebuilders who provide very basic plans if they have the contract to build. Usually our planning expertise and the quality of our designs and drawings will save you far more than our fee. The old saying "You get what you pay for" is quite appropriate. We are not "cheap" and we do not engage in competitive bidding. If you are not willing to compensate an architectural firm for professionally responsible work, then we are probably not going to be the right consultant for you.
* NOTE: For a good explanation of the architect's fee, please read this: Home Delivery - The Architect's Fee (AIA Delaware)
CONTRACTS
For most residential projects we prepare a written proposal that is 3 to 4 pages long. After reviewing it, your signature is required along with an initial payment.
For larger or more complex projects we use one of the standard forms of agreement that have been prepared by the American Institute of Architects and have been a standard in the construction industry for about 100 years. These agreements can be edited or modified to suit the specific circumstances of your project but have longstanding language that mutually protects the interests of homeowner, architect and contractor. These are the fairest contract documents available.
ADDITIONAL SERVICES
Beyond the basic services outlined in the columns above, there are optional additional services that you may be interested in having for your project, such as:
* Perspective renderings
* Model making
* List of materials
* Assistance with land use permits
* Landscape design
* Obtaining a survey map of your property
* Septic system design
This additional work can be compensated by our hourly rates or we can arrive at a fixed cost for these optional extras.
PROJECT SCHEDULING
As you can see from the constantly changing list of projects, there has been a high demand for our services. Even with the economic downturns we have continued to be very busy. We generally are not in a position to begin new projects immediately. It might take two to four weeks for us begin work on a new commission. Once we have started a project we work very hard to keep within a reasonable schedule. We cannot always meet your time expectations, but it is not in the best interest of the outcome of your project to make us rush.
BEYOND THE LEGALESE
What is most important is that you are comfortable with your relationship with us and with your chosen method of construction. We will gladly work in any mode that you believe will best meet your needs. In the initial stages of the project we aim to win your trust and confidence so there will be free and open communication right up to the successful conclusion of your project.
PERCENTAGES
You may have heard that architects charge anywhere from 10 to 15% of your construction cost for their fees. Some work that way, however we have a problem with that. There is really no motivation for us to work at keeping costs down or within budget. The more the project costs you, the more we get paid! Now, if you have unlimited resources that may be fine but it does not serve the interests of most of our clients.
HOURLY RATES
When it is difficult for you or us to define the extent of the project or our services, then we usually will work on an hourly basis at least through the Design Phase. For the year 2018 our rates are as follows:
* Greg Grew, architect: $250
* Other consultants: Cost + 10%
* Reimbursable expenses: Cost + 10%
LUMP SUM
In most cases we are able to define the scope of the project and our participation. When that is the case, we simply determine how much time will be involved and quote a fixed sum as our fee. We will provide a breakdown of the fee among the phases of the project and a schedule of payments.
REALITY CHECK
Greg Grew is a licensed and highly experienced professional, he has overhead, and provides his clients with much value for his services. We do not try to compete on fees with mail-order plan services, unlicensed drafting or design services, or homebuilders who provide very basic plans if they have the contract to build. Usually our planning expertise and the quality of our designs and drawings will save you far more than our fee. The old saying "You get what you pay for" is quite appropriate. We are not "cheap" and we do not engage in competitive bidding. If you are not willing to compensate an architectural firm for professionally responsible work, then we are probably not going to be the right consultant for you.
* NOTE: For a good explanation of the architect's fee, please read this: Home Delivery - The Architect's Fee (AIA Delaware)
CONTRACTS
For most residential projects we prepare a written proposal that is 3 to 4 pages long. After reviewing it, your signature is required along with an initial payment.
For larger or more complex projects we use one of the standard forms of agreement that have been prepared by the American Institute of Architects and have been a standard in the construction industry for about 100 years. These agreements can be edited or modified to suit the specific circumstances of your project but have longstanding language that mutually protects the interests of homeowner, architect and contractor. These are the fairest contract documents available.
ADDITIONAL SERVICES
Beyond the basic services outlined in the columns above, there are optional additional services that you may be interested in having for your project, such as:
* Perspective renderings
* Model making
* List of materials
* Assistance with land use permits
* Landscape design
* Obtaining a survey map of your property
* Septic system design
This additional work can be compensated by our hourly rates or we can arrive at a fixed cost for these optional extras.
PROJECT SCHEDULING
As you can see from the constantly changing list of projects, there has been a high demand for our services. Even with the economic downturns we have continued to be very busy. We generally are not in a position to begin new projects immediately. It might take two to four weeks for us begin work on a new commission. Once we have started a project we work very hard to keep within a reasonable schedule. We cannot always meet your time expectations, but it is not in the best interest of the outcome of your project to make us rush.
BEYOND THE LEGALESE
What is most important is that you are comfortable with your relationship with us and with your chosen method of construction. We will gladly work in any mode that you believe will best meet your needs. In the initial stages of the project we aim to win your trust and confidence so there will be free and open communication right up to the successful conclusion of your project.
MILTON GREGORY GREW, AIA
(formerly GREW DESIGN INCORPORATED)
Architecture - Design - Construction
241 Main Street South
Woodbury, Connecticut 06798-3440
Tel: 203-217-1074
(formerly GREW DESIGN INCORPORATED)
Architecture - Design - Construction
241 Main Street South
Woodbury, Connecticut 06798-3440
Tel: 203-217-1074