Consulting an Architect
- Started
- Last post
- 19 Responses
- persona_non_grata
has anyone used an architect to help build something? Or experienced with it. Got a plot of land pulling at my mind constantly - and a few ideas of what to do with it - really simple almost greenhouse like stucture.....
- but ... your thoughts? regalement?
- inv0
sounds expensive.....
- brandelec0
thought about going prefab?
- jamble0
Post up a competition on 99architects.com asking for houses to be built and you'll pick the best one and give a prize of a few hundred bucks.
I'd love to buy some land and build my own place but it's just too expensive in UK for my puny budget.
- monkeyshine0
go pre-fab: http://wieler.com/
- always wanted to do thisscarabin
- http://www.huf-haus.…weez
- 23kon0
skate park!!
- ismith0
Always go with an architect! Wait two and a half years then email me, I'll be half way through my B.Arch!
- :Dismith
- Good luck! by the time I have all the money together ..that may not be far off unfortunatelypersona_non_grata
- y, you will not be anywhere close if you are only a junior in a b arch program.....xcarlx
- Enough to lend a hand– my father got most of his work exp. 3rd year into his undergrad, which is what got him into basically the nyc firm of his choosingismith
- the nyc firm of his choosing... obviously i would be neither licensed or very experienced, but have the tools and referenceismith
- reference to start without the cost of a licensed arch. perfectly practical for something noncommercialismith
- I have some experience in planning already, and possibly construction this year... but none of this matters, I was 95% joking :)ismith
- joking ;)ismith
- LA must be nice though, Buffalo was fucking freezing last time I was up there!ismith
- persona_non_grata0
I will consider pre-fab.
What I want is extremely simple. Only problem is that this 'lot' is within a commercial area - moreover its a blank space between 2 buildings. I would like to erect just a glass structure as respect to what used to be their ... that type of effect
- utopian0
Well if you actually put the city where you are located in your profile and stop trolling, someone could recommend an architect for you.
- trolling?...ummm
Atlanta to answer your questionpersona_non_grata - utopian thinks everyone is a trolliCanHasQBN
- trolling?...ummm
- xcarlx0
i am an architect (not licensed though).....even if you "went prefab" you would still need someone to file for a building permit, and you would need a contractor to build what ever it was you were looking to build....
you could go diy, but you have to be ready for what you are in for.
do you have more specific ideas yet?
- xcarlx0
also, keep in mind that design is only a part of what architects do. contract administration, construction management, and permitting probbaly take up more time, and are very valuable to you as the building owner.
you could hire a "builder" or a one stop shop....but you will end up with this
when as a designer you probably want this...
i know these examples are much more complex than what you are looking for...it is just an example of what to expect....
- xcarlx0
is the property in atlanta proper?
cause if so, have fun with these folks.
- formed0
Architect here too. If you are in a commercial district, you'd be best to check to see what the zoning is before assuming you can just do what you want.
Here in Denver they are making massive zoning changes that require both a min/max with density, large changes going on.
Ask away...
- persona_non_grata0
wow thanks xclarlx and formed - I have heard things in my research similar to this, but was hoping things would be a tad bit easier than I had thought.
I'm not looking to go without an architect - but just want too make sure I'm looking for the right thing - and don't actually need like a construction manager or something.Your input and time spent is awesome - thanks
- formed0
You can find, sadly, a billion architects willing to work for anything (again, very sad, many of my friends have been without work for well over a year now).
Try Craigslist or something, you'll get a million hits I'd guess. They coudl take you through the entire process.
For general questions, though, I'd be happy to help
- I keep losing the article... architecture was 1st (I think, maybe 6th...?) highest in layoffs this year/last.ismith
- Craziness. I'm hoping it's better when I finish school...ismith
- That's what I've heard. Will it be better? I wouldn't count on it, you've got guys with 10+ years willing to take the intern's job for penniesformed
- job and work for pennies, hard to compete with that. The building community is at least a few years out from building much too. Sorry :-/formed
- airey0
you could try a draftsman rather than an architect if budget is an issue.
- monNom0
Hire a real live architect and expect to pay 15% of project costs as fee for their services in designing, drafting, construction management, etc.
Or hire a builder and expect to pay 50% over his quote.
A good architect will work with you to give you the home you want for the money you have to spend. Or make suggestions to get as near as possible given the constraints -- Just like any good designer.
I see prefab as kind of like Template Monster. Nice idea, not so great in practice. Prefab final construction costs are almost identical, and any savings are likely eaten up in shipping. Keep in mind that foundation and site prep are typically 1/3rd of cost. Construction to "lock-up" is another 3rd, and interior finishing eats up the final third. Prefab generally sells you the middle bit but isn't too explicite about what's missing.