Services

As an Architect and Construction Manager the typical design process is not as simple as most clients think when they start dreaming of a new home, business or investment property. To protect your financial budget of a project and deliver the ideas you paid for, you need an experienced team looking after your best interest. The funds spent on hiring a person to look after the project as a third party consultant can save a large amount of financial lost and sleepless nights as a final cost savings to the overall project.

With my unique skills, I can help clients in many ways. The outline services below are a general breakout of services. The typical client needs more then an Architect to produce a final building. The lifecycle of concepts, screenshots and pinterest scrapbooks can be a difficult and stressful process. Hiring someone that can help manage the design, solicitate builders, bidding, contract negotiation, and items as simple to selecting materials that are within the original contract agreement.  Beyond architectural services, as an liaison we can work for the best interest of the client and negotiate what is the best fit for your experience and project.

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Outline of Architecture/Design Services

• Phase 1: Programming / Document Existing Conditions

• Phase 2: Schematic Design - Rough Sketches

• Phase 3: Design Development - Refining the Design

• Phase 4: Construction Documents - Recording Our Decisions

• Phase 5: Construction Observation - Getting it Built The Way You Want

• Summary

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Outline of Construction Services

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• Pre-Construction

• Estimating

• General Contracting

• Construction Management

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Outline of Consulting Services

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• Owners Project Management

• Subcontractor Section & Procurement

• Requisites for payment - Support client on payment schedules and monthly billing

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Detail Outline of Architecture/Design Services

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Phase 1

Programming / Document Existing Conditions
Defining Your Needs & Wants

PROGRAMMING
During the programming phase we work with you to help define your needs and wants, dreams and desires for the project.  The need may be “more space” while the desire is “to have a room where I can read a book in quiet.”  We will have an initial meeting to review the specific space requirements and needs of the project.  Based on the initial project meeting, CA will prepare a written program which describes the general space requirements and the nature of each space.  The written program shall be reviewed and approved by the Client as defining the initial goals of the project.  


DOCUMENTING EXISTING CONDITIONS
For new construction projects, documenting existing conditions involves acquiring information such as a site plan of the existing property, zoning by-laws, and restrictive covenant information (if applicable).

Addition and renovation projects also require a thorough investigation of existing conditions, details and dimensions. The entire project must be photographed, measured and recorded.  If drawings of the existing structure are available, we will review and verify information as needed.  The information gathered will be used to prepare accurate drawings depicting physical conditions in plan and elevation.  These drawings will serve as a foundation for future explorations and detailed work on your project.

We will review with the client the potential involvement of any other site engineering or outside consultants. If it is determined that any site consultant services are required, we will assist the client in obtaining fee proposals from the appropriate consultants.

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Phase 2

Schematic Design - Rough Sketches
These preliminary plans depicting the proposed project, additions or renovations are developed based upon the written program as well as the context of your particular site. We believe that a successful “extension” of an existing project should blend seamlessly with the original. The entire layout and flow of existing functions will be considered during planning of additions and renovations.

The schematic design drawings prepared during this phase will depict the proposed project or proposed addition/renovations in sufficient detail to both confirm your approval as well as to obtain a preliminary budget estimate from a selected contractor. If required, by the budget, adjustments to the scope of work can be addressed at this time. The revised scope of work will be used as a guide for preparing the detailed construction drawings of Phase III. It is very important that you are pleased with the development of the design at this stage.  Keep in mind, it is much easier to make changes now when your project is on paper, than later on when foundations have been poured and wall erected. Before we proceed to the next phase, we will ask for your approval of the Phase II sketches.

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Phase 3

Design Development - Refining the Design

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During this phase we prepare more detailed drawings to illustrate other aspects of the
proposed design.  Design Development means just what it suggests.  Using the approved
schematic design as a basis, we work together with our clients to refine the design so that it
more precisely fits their tastes and needs.  


We meet with our clients as needed during this phase to make sure that each refinement to the design meets with their approval.  We research the materials that will go into the project, and whenever possible work with the selected contractor to make sure that the evolving scheme is within budget.  Outline specifications are prepared listing the major materials and room finishes if included as an add service.

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Phase 4

Construction Documents - Recording Our Decisions

At this point, we prepare the construction documents.  These are the detailed drawings and specifications which the contractor will use to both establish actual construction costs and to build the project.  These drawings and specifications become part of the contract.  Included in the drawings will be descriptions of the foundations, framing, floor plans, elevations, schedules, finishes and specifications.

Client directed changes during this phase should be limited, as much as possible, to material selections and not major shifts in the floor plan or elevations. Coordinating changes through all of the drawings may add considerable time and increase project costs.

We like to think of these documents as records of all the decisions we’ve made throughout the course of designing the project.  These documents convey our decisions to others.  The builders and tradesmen will use the documents to supply the materials and construct the project.  The local building inspectors will use these documents to issue permits and make inspections of the work.  Banks and other lenders will use these documents when providing financing.  As you can see, these important documents are used by all during the construction of a project; it is to your advantage to make sure the drawings are accurate and complete. 

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Phase 5

Construction Observation - Getting it Built The Way You Want

(Added Service Typically - Required in Commercial Projects)

This final step is often the most anxiety-producing part of the whole process.  Up until now, the project has been confined to discussion, planning and two-dimensional drawings.  When construction begins, the project moves from drawings to a physical reality.

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We will periodically visit the project site to observe the work in place and assure that construction is progressing in accordance with our plans.  We can meet regularly on site with the client and contractor to review any issues. We are also available to the contractor, his/her suppliers and subcontractors during the project to explain or address questions that arise during construction.  Each site visit is followed with a Field Report covering work in progress, observations and recommendations.

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Our role during this phase is to observe the progress of the construction for conformance to the design intent.  The contractor is solely responsible for construction methods, techniques, schedules and procedures.  The contractor supervises and directs the construction work on the project. 

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The path to a completed building project is paved with a lot of challenges and uncertainties. There are many decisions to be made, decisions which have a strong impact on how the project looks and functions over time. It is especially important in renovation projects that we provide construction observation service.  When renovating an existing structure there are always issues that arise during construction.  The issues that do arise are usually due to some previously unforeseen condition which was either concealed or not apparent until the actual demolition and construction had begun.  It is for this reason we always recommend our involvement during the construction phase so that we are available to ensure that any changes do not affect the original design intent.  Constructing the project is a team effort, consisting of the client, architect and contractor, and a successful project requires a team that has mutual trust, respect for one another and good communication.

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Summary
As a firm specializing in architecture, we are very aware of how important a project is to its clients, what enormous emotional energy is lavished upon it, and how unnerving it is to be at the mercy of others in the shaping or reshaping of that project.  With this is mind we have developed our services to avoid as much of that discomfort as possible.  

We will help you identify your needs; design solutions that satisfy those needs, and develop the documents that communicate your solution to the contractors.  At CA, we understand that a registered architect provides more than “blueprints”.  At CA, we are not only registered architects, we are also people who understand the importance of good communication and who share a love of building.  We are also builders and understand the need for making it reality from design.

It is our hope that this brochure has helped to clarify the value that our service would bring to your project, and that you will give us the opportunity to help you with your dreams for a new project, addition or renovation.  

We look forward to hearing from you.

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(A Note Regarding Architectural Fees)

There are numerous ways by which architects determine their fees.  Our fee structure is based independently on the complexity and time requirements of each project.  However, based upon past precedent, we have found that our fees generally run about 4% to 8% of the overall cost of construction.  This is why it is important for us to meet with each client to discuss their potential project prior to quoting any design fees.