Brownstone Renovation 1st Timer
Hi, I am a newbie looking to do a brownstone renovation and am beginning my search for an architect and conractor. I know there is tons of experience out there and I am eager to tap into it. I am in the beginning stages of researching everything… here are my preliminary questions. Architect: how do…
Hi,
I am a newbie looking to do a brownstone renovation and am beginning my search for an architect and conractor. I know there is tons of experience out there and I am eager to tap into it. I am in the beginning stages of researching everything… here are my preliminary questions.
Architect: how do I go about finding one, what kinds of questions do I need to be asking? How is the cost determined? What is the process? It is likely that the property is in need of a gut. I am looking for mid to high end finishes and detail.. and need to also figure out how to set a budget, what to expect in terms of cost… All advice is welcomed. Thanks for taking the time to reply.
I was recently interviewing architects for a special project. We were principally looking for an architect/expediter and not interested in a designer. I always use my gut instinct and certain rules of thumb. I prefer very frank people over sales pitches. I prefer people who provide detailed estimates over general lump sums. Usually a low bid is a sign of concern, but right now the marketplace calls for extreme competition.
We turned down an architect we have worked with before because his prices are not workable in 2010.
As far as contractors go, as with any profession (architects included) there is a surplus of mediocre skill or lack thereof in the workforce. Take your time, do your research, go to brownstoner events and get to know your neighbors who have had positive experiences.
Good Post! Very informative, glad that you are going to continue writing things like this!
Regards.
http://www.cooperburns.co.uk
Hi Newbie,
I was in the same boat in 2006. Unfortunately I found this site after my project but I did follow some important steps in selecting my architectural needs and general contractor. You can email me at allans1935@gmail.com and I’ll send you my personal phone number if you want to discuss in detail. Trust me, this endeavor was extremely intimidating for me as a newbie especially since I was dealing with a large budget and didn’t have a clue where to start or whom to ask for help.
-Allan S.
You can see pictures of my project on my picassa site here…
http://picasaweb.google.com/allansuarez
My office’s work focuses mainly on gut renovations of townhouses, apartments and lofts on a variety of scales and budgets in the NYC area. Please contact me to discuss your project further.
http://www.studiolabdesign.com
Thanks,
Matt
Hey blilly3 – a while back I posted, as an architect, how I would go about interviewing and finding an architect.
My only postscript to the post is make sure that you are being reasonable about what you are asking for in the interview. If you are planning an extensive and costly renovation – it’s good to put your architect through the ringer. If you only want to pay your architect 10K – be mindful that billing rates of architects aren’t too dissimilar from an attorney, basically I’m saying try to be respectful of their time before you start the full interview process, I described 😉
Here’s the original post:
http://bstoner.wpengine.com/forum/archives/2010/01/architect_rec_f.php
Good luck,
Drew Stuart
Incorporated Architecture & Design
http://www.incorporatedny.com/
Whatever it is you are definitely in for a lot of surprises.
In general, architects are proffessional but there is always room to get screwed up on renovations with nobody’s fault.
The problem is that each proffession can screw up by himself and you are dealing with multiples.
What is very important is that the zarchitect and contractor are seeing eye to eye and not to skimp on the controlled / progress / special inspection items as that is key to scrutiny and oversight by another proffesional in addition that it is required by law as well.
cut beams, notched out beams, termite damaged, water damaged, holding on by a litteral sliver. that’s the reality of an old house. and yet, somehow the house still stands fine.
You should always assume that you are going to find beams and joists that are not properly attached. Recently in one of our projects the contactor pulled down the ceiling and found a concrete encased steel beam that was cut and left hanging by the virtue of a cantilever out of the brick wall.
Jock deBoer, AIA
bfarwell, I liked your response about the “excitement” of cutting beams! Thought I would elaborate: we hired an architect and planned to put in a bathroom where there had been a closet. My dad (retired professional engineer) was shocked with plans relating to beams in the vicinity of what was to be our new bathroom. We ended up canceling the job and are glad we did (that’s a long story). But since then, friends bought a place in PS and discovered after purchase that the beams were in terrible shape. Some had been cut, a couple were no longer securely attached to the side walls or any other support. Since then I have heard this is not an uncommon story in Bklyn. The friends I mentioned above ended up with gut reno and put in all new beams, but it cost them a fortune. Beautiful result though!