FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
Design is an open-ended process because I never know how long it will take people to make decisions. I charge $65 per hour for design. Once the perimeter and interior of the building has been defined, then I charge a drafting fee based on the area of each floor level. I currently charge 65c per sq. ft. for living space and 55c per sq. ft. for garages and covered decks. These are my base rates. There also may be production costs, travel costs, research time, and various expenses for coordinating with third parties such as engineers, building departments, material suppliers, and the building trades. My overhead cost and profit margin are also included, so since every project is unique, I provide a personal quotation for services relevant to each specific job. This is usually an estimate, not a hard bid number. Actual expenses incurred are invoiced. I generally increase my rates annually by at least 3% for cost-of-living and market fluctuations, so be sure to request my current rate sheet for the correct fee schedule. My rates, in this market, generally fall between those of a construction superintendant and a plumber or electrician. Compared to a licensed architect's fees, my rates are significantly lower because my operating costs are often a lot less. I am a single proprietor business with low overhead, no brick-and mortar storefront, no staff, no loans, no expensive equipment, and this simple operation allows me to pass a huge savings through to my customers in the form of lower rates for design and working drawings. Most of my customers feel my service is a real bargain by comparison. So, for general estimating purposes, for your basic design and drafting needs, including the other incidental service charges mentioned, you should use $1.00 per square foot as a ball park figure for plan preparation, or 1% of the over all market value of your home, less land cost, which ever is greater.
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
The first thing I often do, if the customer hasn't already accessed samples of home designs in plan books or online websites, is to point them in that direction. Pictures save and say a thousand words, so I guide people to find examples of architectural styles and design features they like. Next I guide them to use free downloadable floor planning tools to illustrate the area and relationship of spaces that will fit on their property. If they haven't yet found a building site, then I help them find property so the design process can begin. House design starts with a personal analysis of their individual needs, the site, the budget, and their tastes in materials and architectural style. I ask a lot of questions and drive decisions in a methodical and logical procedure which varies according to the decision-making capability of the owners, but nevertheless arrives at the custom home design. Sometimes the builder gets involved in the design process to keep the project in budget since he usually knows the current pricing of the labor and material markets. Once the design development is completed and the preliminary plans and elevations are defined and accepted, I then move onto the working drawings phase and coordinate the technical and structural aspects of the project.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I graduated from the School of Architecture at Oklahoma University in 1975 and worked for an architect in Kalispell, MT. My career path has focused more on construction and design along the way, so I have a lot of practical experience as a journeyman carpenter, builder, and a project manager and estimator on commercial projects. To stay current, I attend all available seminars on current building code programs and subscribe to industry magazines that feature articles on new trends in housing development. I also subscribe to RSS feeds to certain industry suppliers and designers to keep up with the latest trends in design. I spend a lot of time on pinterest, houzz, instagram, youtube, and similar Internet idea resources to study the latest and greatest emerging designs, materials, and construction techniques. I bring over 43 years of construction knowledge, education, and design experience to my practice.