Unlicensed or uninsured architect - ok to hire????

I’d love feedback on this one:  I’ve found two potential architects for construction drawings to add a kitchen (including opening up a wall and adding a header/post) and a deck/convert window to a door, one of whom isn’t licensed and the other of whom isn’t insured. The former hasn’t yet passed the licensing exam after many tries but a contractor I’ve heard only good things about and am considering hiring (he truly checks out), recommended him as a great architect and designer. The latter is young and licensed but so far has been doing work under other architects and gets fantastic recommendations from two bosses who think she will do great as a principal with me as the first direct customer, but said she couldn’t sign off on the plan for permitting purposes. But I’m already permitting directly with an expeditor and just need construction drawings to price out and then start the job. I also found an engineer who can help as needed. My instinct is that the uninsured architect would be a great partner. Any feedback?

jeanmarine2

in Architecture 12 years and 9 months ago

3

Please log in, in order to post replies!

3 replies

Newest Oldest

bowl-of-dicks | 12 years and 9 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4935 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4908 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "12647"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(13) "bowl-of-dicks"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(17) "bowl-of-dicks-2-2"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(15) "cf80q@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(28) "/forums/users/bowl_of_dicks/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:15:42"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(13) "bowl of dicks"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(12647)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Nevermind the guy who can’t pass his exams, but let me just say this: Up until 2-3 years ago, young architects had to spend 3 years *minimum* on the job full time as an “intern” before he/she could even sit for the licensing exams. Nowadays, they are allowed to sit for the exam (and pass) BEFORE  having to do any time on the job. My opinion is that it’s producing a whole new generation of entitled, “know-it-all” registered architects, who in reality know nothing. Jock’s advice is the best; you get what you pay for in the long run. Look I’ve been in the business 13 years, licensed for 5, and I wouldn’t hire myself either.

newhouse | 12 years and 9 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4934 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4933 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "178674"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(8) "newhouse"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$Bju6GbzQi/AJskWAmlooRQlz8Bvxhq0"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(8) "newhouse"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(23) "anitalin@mindspring.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(23) "/forums/users/newhouse/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:18:52"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(20) "yx6wkLQ4w8HrorRCJdSx"
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(8) "newhouse"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(178674)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

An architect is a professional and should be licensed and insured.  I am a licensed architect myself and hired a licensed and insured architect to do my renovation because I don’t have any experience with brownstones and the particular issues that go along with them.  I didn’t even trust hiring myself!  The exam is rigorous and it means something when you pass the mulit-part exam – that’s when you’re allowed to call yourself an “architect” and to legally sign off on drawing that you’re qualified to review.  Would you hire a lawyer who didn’t pass the bar exam?  Insurance is important too. Things happen and lawsuits happen.  How would the uninsured architect protect herself?  I think it’s risky that she would want to put herself in that situation.  I think you should keep looking – there are many qualified (both licensed and insured) architects who would love to take on your project.  Good luck with your search.

jockdeboeraia | 12 years and 9 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4930 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4936 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "40876"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(13) "jockdeboeraia"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BTfkV3DGGseot8oNyuG6kVhsNhUD2n1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(13) "jockdeboeraia"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(22) "jdeboer@jockdeboer.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(31) "/forums/users/deboerarchitects/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:15:51"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(20) "VK4zWrfWbTPHLfSSlGZI"
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(13) "jockdeboeraia"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(40876)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

The first person is nuts.  That is a good way to get barred from ever getting licensed in the first place.  NYS is pretty tough on those guys.  Why woud you want to hire someone who can’t pass the exams and is happy to tell you that?  Going cheap is always more expensive in the long run,