I posted about this a while ago and never really did anything about it, but this is my new blog idea.......free architecture advice.
Most people just need a little nudge when remodeling their kitchen or knocking out a wall. An architect will want to remodel your whole house around your kitchen remodel and sometimes thats just not what you need. A contractor will do the same thing, only charge you twice for it. I would love to be able to give away free advice to anyone who just didn't know where to start. I'm tired of not getting paid and not charging enough anyway, so that's going to be my new architecture related blog. Advice from a professional, no strings attached. Of course if anyone wants a sketch I"ll charge a small fee, but other than that I'll just dole out the advice.
Legally and according to the AIA I'm probably not allowed to give free advice, but I don't care. If anything gets too involved I'll of course recommend that they contact their local building department and a local architect.
I'm excited. I think there will be a lot of people who want advice from a professional when it comes to design. I won't offer any structural advice only aesthetics and general architectural procedures such as dealing with the city and contractors.
I'm still deciding on a domain name and I'm going to try and either put it together on WordPress, or design the site myself with my new DreamWeaver skills. Hopefully I'll have all my shiznit together to be able to put it up by May/June. I'll keep you posted.
11 comments:
I think its a great idea! In fact I was looking for that exact site when your blog came up on google. I just need an educated opinion of an idea I have without paying someone $600 to agree with me. Simple residential remodeling advice. GO FOR IT!
If you've got a question. Hit me with it. I'll see what I can do. I put up another architecture blog, but no one went there, so it kind of stalled.
hi we need architectural help! curb appeal that is...
our house is confused between a 70's split level and a dutch colonial.
want to add some architectural flair without much construction or alot of cash...
... i can upload the photos if that works...
i love the back yard... gray green undertone concrete patio surrounding the pool. light gray deck. and my studio in the back corner of the yard... chocolate brown, with darker gray green doors white window panes, and chocolate brown with black added for trim.
and tropical landscaping bannana trees, elephant ears, fatsias etc.
can you help??? thanks so much
Hi joymle
I really don't even know where to begin ... but let me try because we obviously need help.
We bought a 1000 sqft 50 year old apartment. It was in a pretty awful condition so we had to do some major fix ups/remodeling.
It has a high ceiling (15-18ft high) so we were going to add a 200 sqft loft somewhere between the bedroom and living room - where the highest point of the pitched roof is.
We kicked off the remodeling project a week ago when the contractor started to knock down all the walls as we wanted to recreate new walls according to a new floor plan.
Here's where the problem began.
Unknown to us until after all the walls had been demolished, the walls had an obtrusive structural beam (a T-Shaped beam) that cuts right across the living room/bedroom. This beam cannot be knocked down.
Needless to say, this makes the whole loft planning a little more complicated. Well actually, we don't know and can't see how our design could fit or work around the structural beam in the new floor plans.
It does look like we may end up with a beam right across the loft!?
What would you suggest we do? help...
Am quite happy to email you with floor plans and some pics if it helps.
Meliss T..... sorry for the delayed response, but you commented right before the kids got out of school and as you may have read, things have been ape shit ever since. If you haven't alreade looked elsewhere for help send me some photos and I'll take a look.
Biscotti....
You MUST hire and architect. Some things, including structural beams, have to be looked at by professionals no matter how confident you or your contractor are.
From what it sounds like the loft is not possible with the beam located in the loft. Your only other option besides giving up on the project would be to hire an architect/structural engineer to relocate the beam. This will be mucho expensive and tear up more walls, but it will give you the loft you want.
Remodeling is tricky. When you try it by yourself things like this come up during construction. If you had hired an architect first, he/she could have told you there was a beam there before you cracked open a wall.
Also call your local building dept. They can always point you in the right direction.
Hi what a great idea I hope you can help me! We have decided to build our own house. The land we are interested in has outlined planning for a 1600sq ft chalet bungalow
how much would it cost for an architect to draw plans and apply for full planning? Approx and we are wanting to do slot of work ourselves with builders etc where needed, can we put plans into the council before the purchase goes through as we need to live on site and they will only give us planning for a mobile home once full plans are accepted. How do I budget for this I don't know where to start. Thanks fiona
Anonymous.....First off it's easier for me to write back to you if you are not 'anonymous'. Please leave an e-mail address or e-mail me personally. My address is on the blog.
Next I would say that it would be irresponsible to have plans made before your sale is final. Things can always happen to throw real estate out of escrow and you could not only be stuck without the property but stuck with plans for that property that you can't sell or re-use. Ahh the cost of architecture.... You failed to mention where you are located so I'll let you know here in Flagstaff you can get a set of house plans done by a drafter at around $1/sq foot. For an architect the price could be anywhere from $4-$20/ square foot depending on the architect and how detailed you need your plans to be.
Please note these are only general answers to your questions. The best place to start is your city planning department and a local architect. Both will give you a fair amount of information for FREE before you start. Also you can hire an architect for just consulting to begin with. It's a lot cheaper to pay $300 for good advice up front than to spend a fortune doing something the wrong way and have to fix again for big $$$$ later.
In order to budget for a project like this you have to have most of it mapped out to begin with. If you are not experienced in building and estimating, costs can easily spiral out of control. After you get a set of good plans you can then take those plans to your local contractor's supply store (Not Home Depot or Lowe's but the local builder's supply). They have excellent estimators and as long as you plan to buy your materials from them they will give you a very detailed materials cost list. The only way to have a concrete cost is to hire a general contractor. I hope that helps.
Hi,
I'd like some ideas for renovating the exterior of a Post-war 1940's home. The majority of the interior has been remodeled (a labour of love) and the exterior has been left for last. I have photos-can I send them to you?
Hi Joymle,
I am over in ENgland.
I bought a house last year and it needs major reorking. Are you or do you know anyone who would be willing to give me a rough plan for free? I have paid-up for an architect to create a scheme for me - but it is complicated and not as modern as I would like.
Moon
@anonymous,
their are some fake architect that only gives poor ideas which we don't desire as well.
Hello!
Great idea. This may be out of the scope of what you are tempting to do but I am desperate. I graduated in 04 fro u of Michigan with a b of science. I have not been able to find employment in a firm since. I have been doing my own work while job hunting. It consist of graphics, animation, construction management, and architectural work. But these are few and far between and definetly not making a living. I have been on over 100 interviews. I do use a electric wheel chair which has never stopped me. But I am so down and out about it that the wheelchair is the only blame left. Do you have any advice, contacts or feedback I can take advantage of?? I would be glad to forward my resume or anything else to get insight. I am suicideally desperate to get working and be driven again.... Thanks so much.
Post a Comment