clipped


Is that normally the extent of an architect's services, or can we
expect him to apply for the permits for us? Contact (or recommend)
contractors? See the project through to completion?

Or is he done when he hands us the drawings?

-chib



You probably get what you pay for, in general. Have you consulted with
heating/electrical/plumbing contractors to see what needs to be done to
support the addition? Since you are doubling the size of the home,
there must be alterations to supporting walls? Site drainage? Access
to utility service? Since you seem sure of the changes you wish to make,
you might take your best drawings to city code folks to see if they have
concerns/suggestions. May get some valuable and free advice (or nothing
at all, depending on where you live ) When you have gathered all that
you can, consult with contractors who have done the level of work you
want done and run it by an architect. The contractor, as part of the
bid process, may add or suggest changes (free) Then, you know what
needs to be done and can talk about cost of architect services. If an
architect won't talk without "doing it all", you have choices. I'd be
very reluctant to deal with a contractor for such a major remodel unless
he has work that has proven itself, licensed, insured, etc., completed
projects on time and without complications from subs and no complaints
against his license. Architects probably vary widely in services they
provide - some probably limit their work to new construction, others,
such as semi-retired, probably take on smaller projects. Around these
parts, if you add more than half the value of the home and it's in a
flood zone, it has to meet the coastal construction requirements
(elevating living space, etc). In the condo next door to us, a bunch of
owners made changes to the ground floor section of their units, which
were mainly garage and utility space - then the insurance company made
them remove all the changes because it didn't meet the coastal
construction requirements. Complicated stuff )