Finding the right architect

We have bought a rowhouse in one of the river towns and know exactly what we want to do with it. Ours is one of 6 replica rowhouses on the block that have already been renovated and we know exactly what we want done, based on what has been done on these identical homes.

We need an architect to translate our ideas to formal plans, one whose expertise we can rely on to add anything we may not have thought of. We also need the architect to help us with the permitting process. We do not need help choosing cabinets, fixtures, appliances, doors, etc. That stuff we love to do ourselves having renovated many homes (always without an architect). We also don’t need the architect to stick around through the renovation process.

Basically, we need to save $. We are a journalist and a teacher, using a set amount of renovation funds from the sale of a Park Slope apartment, so we have to cut costs by doing some things ourselves.

Here’s our conundrum: Many of the architects we’ve spoken with expect 12% of the renovation costs but they are full-service. We understand that others h ave been able to find architects who will draw up the plan and get it through the permitting process for less than $10K. We much prefer this route.

Any tips on how to find a decent architect who will work with these perimeters?

Thank you in advance!

jdinbrooklyn

in General Discussion 5 years and 10 months ago

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becfish | 5 years and 10 months ago

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@rach_brklyn Instrested in your Architect recommendation, please reach me at chiwara@gmail.com Thanks MC

mattieweiser1

in General Discussion 5 years and 10 months ago

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Agreed with resident2, if you want to save money I would suggest contacting an architect who both knows local codes the NYC DOB filing process well; depending on the complexity of the job she/he might be able to file pro-cert cutting out a costly expeditor.

resident2 | 5 years and 10 months ago

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It is always best top use a local Architect that deals with the local DOB on regular basis.
Speak to your new neighbors to see who they used.
Outside NYC is very different from the way things are done in NYC. For example in some “Towns” in Nassau you walk in to the DOB early in morning & talk without an appointment to your building inspector directly!

mattieweiser1

in General Discussion 5 years and 10 months ago

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I know someone great who has done these kinds of jobs in the past at a reasonable price because she only takes on 1-2 projects at a time and teaches design half time. How can I contact you for the reference?

Guest User | 5 years and 10 months ago

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To give a little different perspective, we were in a similar situation (without the identical homes next door) a couple of years ago. We knew exactly what we wanted so very little design required, had a contractor we knew could build it and that we liked so no bidding required, and just wanted someone to draw it up and get it through the approvals. We never managed to find someone to do such a limited scope and ended up paying a percentage fee to a full-service architect. It was beyond painful — money’s REALLY tight right now. But I can honestly say on a number of occasions we’ve been very relieved to have an architect involved during construction.

You might not encounter surprises since you have neighbors who have done exactly what you want to do, but to the extent unexpected situations arise during construction, it is really helpful to have an architect there to help resolve them. The architect also caught things that as vigilant as I’ve been I missed.

So, even if you manage to find someone to just draw and file for a reasonable fee, you might also want to negotiat e some kind of arrangement should you find yourself needing unexpected architectural help during construction and for the architect to check critical aspects of the construction. Your neighbors’ houses might be identical but they’re not on your exact plot of land so there might be unexpected differences you encounter that they didn’t and I’ve come to realize there are some details that only professionals are able to catch.

Just a thought.