My Architects

I’ve recently purchased a two family brownstone in park slope Brooklyn and I’ve never worked with an architect before. Can anyone please provide some insight as to how this process works. So far my architects filed the plans with the dob with out me actually having a full understanding of the new layout of the home. Some of the design choices and bathroom placements I do not agree with. Before any of the plans were filed with the DOB I wrote them a detailed description of what I wanted for each floor and now we do a walk through and its not exactly what I originally requested, Is this the way this process works? Please advise
Thank you

Guest User | 8 years and 5 months ago

13

Please log in, in order to post replies!

13 replies

Newest Oldest

daveinbedstuy | 8 years and 5 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4979 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4991 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(4) "3864"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(13) "daveinbedstuy"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BtJYyObAQmff2MQp.qFP7/kmwU1bBZ1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(13) "daveinbedstuy"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(19) "djl135e54@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(54) "http://www.brownstoner.com/forums/users/daveinbedstuy/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:23:53"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(13) "daveinbedstuy"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(3864)
  ["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)
}

Agree, slopefarm

slopefarm | 8 years and 5 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4981 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4978 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(3) "655"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(9) "slopefarm"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BK7dzbqXJe9TV6iU0glcNZiXdOt9CR1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(9) "slopefarm"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(18) "jrubin@law.nyc.gov"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(24) "/forums/users/slopefarm/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:11:42"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(9) "slopefarm"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(655)
  ["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)
}

It is really hard to tell what is going on here. Did the architect railroad the owner or did the owner fail to understand what the architect was saying and doing? Either way, it seems bizarre to me that one could get all the way through construction before the disconnect became apparent.

stuyheights | 8 years and 5 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4980 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4977 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "17815"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(11) "stuyheights"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(11) "stuyheights"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(20) "biggiealex@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2008-09-29 00:15:40"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(20) "Kyzw5mBF7hhtZpsIO0VA"
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(11) "stuyheights"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(17815)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(0) {
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(0) {
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(0) {
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

I feel like there is a major missing piece to this story. Why and how did you purchase this property with a FHA 203k loan?

Also, how big is the brownstone? 3 story or 4?
How wide, and what is the scope of work?
It is a complete gut Reno? What is the total budget you have to Complete the renovation?

I’m sure if the architect were on this thread there would be a completely different side to this story. From the outside looking in, maybe the architect knows you are overbudget with your scope of work and he is scaling back the project to protect you.

daveinbedstuy | 8 years and 5 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4979 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4970 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(4) "3864"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(13) "daveinbedstuy"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BtJYyObAQmff2MQp.qFP7/kmwU1bBZ1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(13) "daveinbedstuy"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(19) "djl135e54@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(54) "http://www.brownstoner.com/forums/users/daveinbedstuy/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:23:53"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(13) "daveinbedstuy"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(3864)
  ["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)
}

This all sounds rather ridiculous. Fire this architect and get another one.

goznqegdmxldhkwi | 8 years and 5 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4981 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4976 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "209673"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(16) "goznqegdmxldhkwi"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BdPq2Q3JlQX3wLdb6afT7eubHGeI29."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(16) "goznqegdmxldhkwi"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(17) "alekven@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2024-07-05 17:41:00"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(16) "goznqegdmxldhkwi"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(209673)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

It’s Nadg- Yes, that is what they have been telling me all along that we can change the plans and lets get it approved first and file an amend after approved. However, when we did a walk through they were getting very frustrated with me when I did not agree some of their layout choices. Like some choices to remove some remarkable brownstone detail from the inside of the house. They were telling me that this would be considered “additional work” and may come with an “additional fee”. I asked them how could that be when they did not get final approval from me on their plans before they filed. All of my emails are my saving grace because they have told me that I was able to make changes and now it seems like they are going back on what they originally communicated. Hence me asking the question if this is the way things normally work with an architect. I have never done this before I just want to make sure that I am going through this process correctly

stuyheights | 8 years and 5 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4970 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4980 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "17815"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(11) "stuyheights"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(11) "stuyheights"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(20) "biggiealex@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2008-09-29 00:15:40"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(20) "Kyzw5mBF7hhtZpsIO0VA"
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(11) "stuyheights"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(17815)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(0) {
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(0) {
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(0) {
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Maybe the first mistake was the type of Mortgage? I would imagine a landmarked property in park slope far exceeds the $814,500 FHA loan limits on a 2 family residence. If you were purchasing the house from a family member at a steep discount, the equity could have been gifted.

yudashasom | 8 years and 5 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4979 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4958 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "194528"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(10) "yudashasom"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BKrcOOJj2qysH3kdOE3mMqxeyqPZ1m0"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(10) "yudashasom"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(20) "yudashasom@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:07:32"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(29) "Dasha Sominski Dasha Sominski"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(194528)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(3) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

The first thing that comes to mind is a PAA. Maybe your architect just wanted to get the job in front of an examiner and tweek the plans later?

eileengray | 8 years and 5 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4980 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4981 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "185785"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(10) "eileengray"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$B0NiQirfkybndiVQvJsyaJdMuryGsv0"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(10) "eileengray"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(23) "architect705@icloud.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:29:00"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(10) "eileengray"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(185785)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

At the very least, your architects owe you an explanation of why they filed drawings that do not reflect your intent. Possibly some of your ideas were not feasible for one reason or another, including budget. On occasion architects and owners talk at each other but don’t listen. A client may want something but doesn’t hear the reasons why it isn’t a good idea…and vice versa. Ultimately , you should have given an okay to plans that were filed. Are the architects taking you through the rest of the project – bidding, construction supervision and sign-off ? If so you should sit down and discuss your concerns now. If not, you may need another architect to take over and file amended drawings if you don’t build what is on the approved plans.

goznqegdmxldhkwi | 8 years and 5 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4970 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4963 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "209673"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(16) "goznqegdmxldhkwi"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BdPq2Q3JlQX3wLdb6afT7eubHGeI29."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(16) "goznqegdmxldhkwi"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(17) "alekven@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2024-07-05 17:41:00"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(16) "goznqegdmxldhkwi"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(209673)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Workisfun is the best I truly appreciate the response because I literally changed my “user name” to avoid NEGATIVE RESPONSES, Dealing with a full gut reno and an landmark, and DOB and a 203K is complicated enough I do not need any snarky comments or eye rolls. Thank you

daveinbedstuy | 8 years and 5 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4979 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4964 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(4) "3864"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(13) "daveinbedstuy"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BtJYyObAQmff2MQp.qFP7/kmwU1bBZ1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(13) "daveinbedstuy"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(19) "djl135e54@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(54) "http://www.brownstoner.com/forums/users/daveinbedstuy/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:23:53"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(13) "daveinbedstuy"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(3864)
  ["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)
}

workisfun we need more hall monitors here like you!!!

stuyheights | 8 years and 5 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4963 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4980 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "17815"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(11) "stuyheights"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(11) "stuyheights"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(20) "biggiealex@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2008-09-29 00:15:40"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(20) "Kyzw5mBF7hhtZpsIO0VA"
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(11) "stuyheights"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(17815)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(0) {
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(0) {
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(0) {
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Nadg, I have recently gone through a gut renovation on my own home. You are the one in charge of this project. If you are not happy with the work that is being performed on your behalf or things are being filed without your permission, I would stop down at your architects office to find out what the problem is. Obviously this is not the way the process should work. If you are paying for something, you should be getting what you want. That goes for just about anything in life.

Please provide us more details on your project.

workisfun | 8 years and 5 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4964 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4970 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "184143"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(9) "workisfun"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(63) "$wp$2y$10$PIdNTvrjjvl/VOCMW73N/OMlRywLPQafpivFFsZl0u6nC/7ccb03S"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(9) "workisfun"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(21) "joshsimilar@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:28:04"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(9) "workisfun"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(184143)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Not that this question wasn’t bait for your snarky reply, but whenever I see responses like this, the responders’ obnoxiousness usually overshadows the naïveté of the OP. Next time you feel funny, try to keep it between you and your cat. Someone reached out to this community looking for help during a very intimidating and high-stakes time. Thanks for contributing.

stuyheights | 8 years and 5 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4980 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4979 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "17815"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(11) "stuyheights"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(11) "stuyheights"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(20) "biggiealex@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2008-09-29 00:15:40"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(20) "Kyzw5mBF7hhtZpsIO0VA"
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(11) "stuyheights"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(17815)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(0) {
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(0) {
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(0) {
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Yes. You just pay them, they come up with a design, and you find out what they decided on when the house is finished. That’s exactly how it works. [Rolls-eyes](//muut.com/u/brownstoner/s1/:brownstoner:xYqr:rollseyes.jpg.jpg)