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"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
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Hello everyone,
Just wanted to let you know to please keep this forum as is! I am an architect who has just realized what a great marketing tool this site is. Often clients come to me with an idea for a plan, either from a book, magazine, or friends house. They inevitably ask "Since I know what I what for a house, why should I hire an architect, why can't I just hire a quality builder to construct the house?" It is often tough to convince someone to hire an architect.
Now all I have to do is say "You know that magazine 'Fine Homebuilding'?" I have been reading it since it's inception, and many of my clients are familiar with it. Then I tell them "Hey they have a web site, and on that site they have bulletin board where you can read, post or reply to questions, go check it out!" Now is the easy part of the sale. After a client views the discussions, the tone of many replies, and the general distain shown towards weekend warriors and DIY'er's who make the mistake of showing their ignorance, the sale is complete.
All I have to do is ask: "These 'professionals' are among the finest in the world, would you as a client wish to be spoken to the way they treat people on this forum? You are trying to build your dream house, what will the builder tell you if what you want to do is different from what they do on every house they build? Based on how they react on the forum, do you think they will be looking out for your best interests, or their own aggendas and profits? If there is a problem with a subcontractor, perhaps a difference in opinion, do you think the builder will have the skills to resolve the situation in a professional manner?"
I have a thick skin and an open mind. I am always willing to listen to all sides in a debate and then make an informed decision. I am not afraid to tell a contractor do something the way I told him to. I am also willing to listen to a contractor when he says there is an easier or better way to do the task than what I have shown. And last of all I will put myself in front of the slings and arrows thrown by hot headed individuals and protect the clients best interest! That is why you need an architect in addition to the builder.
Keep up the great marketing guys!!
Please feel free to flame me, call me an idiot, tell me I am clueless, etc. It will just help my marketing, and help clinch those deals!!!
*Wow and am I sorry to be part of this group...Most of the time I have tried to cool the other three and their cat fights, but I guess I have been scratched much more than I thought...I will be changing my posts and staying way out of future duo's if that's what it takes...Time to lick my wounds...Hope you're happy you made me cry you big bully studio7...Peace, love and groovieness to all, near the stream,J
*Mr Anonymous Architect (with the phony email)It would be my observation that, given the time and the inclination, I could bury you in posts from this forum where every effort has been made to freely, courteously and professionally help information/opinion seeking diy'ers and other home owners. A healthy exchange of opinioni between professionalsis what this forum was created for, and it's justifiable renown has brought a huge influx of free information seekers. I would wager that most, if not all of these have left happily informed. . . can you boast such a track record with your clientele??No wonder most builders have no respect for architects. Your agenda sucks. . . go away!!!-Patrick
*Well, I am a week-end warrior and a DYI. Your post really doesn't bother me, its just boring. You may be really good, you may be only so so, who knows or cares. Glad you are making a good living. I have found, however, that many of those on this forum are sleepers. They are better than you might think (some of them even let their good spelling and wriiting slip at times), and I suspect more successful than you might think - even some of the lowly DYI people.Dennis
*"Time to lick my wounds...Hope you're happy you made me cry you big bully studio7... "TOO FUNNY!!! LOL!!Have a Bossanova Day!Donna
*I, for one, would never call you those things. I'm buying into Jack's policy of unrelenting courtesy. Is there an architect (did I spell it okay?) forum you can go to and leave us alone? BTW, it is a sellers market in this contractor deal, at least it is over here in the land of OZ.
*Donna, And may the Bossanova be big in your day also...In fact, here's to us both enjoying my big bossanova on this day!In the stream, wadin way deep!J
*studio7,Your post is hardly worth a reply. Not only is it insulting to all of the hard working indivduals who you have graciously "thanked", it is also insulting to yourself as an architect, other architects, and certainly insulting to the people who might consider hiring an architect.Just who are you anyway? Not proud enough to post your name, or the firm that you represent? I'm sure you are well aware that the people who you refer to this site may read YOUR post. Do you think that it speaks well for architects in general? I certainly would like to hear from some others in your profession. In the meantime, studio7, could you tweak the CAD Programs ya'll use to draw roof framing plans? I've had to redesign the roof plan as shown by the architects in 8 of the last 9 custom homes that I have framed. You guys just don't seem to get it.
*At least architects don't have attitude problems. :) Even if a client believed all you say about the contributors here, he or she would be a darn fool to run into the arms of the nearest architect. Especially one too cowardly to stand behind his name.Those who can't, kvetch. If I were a client sent to this forum, I would have the opposite conclusion.
*Patrick, you too? And here I thought I was the only one irritated at bogus free email addresses. Want to use a "user name" cool, be adult enought or at leasthave your insecurities medicated to the point of using a genuine email address, connected to a real ISP or website, or buckup to a real Business email tool like Briefcase.com if you need to have another account other than your employers, prior to disparaging the participants of this board. You may be a real Architect, a fine draftsman, a CAD pro, or you may not. We wouldn't know. Criticisms? Yes, we've been hashing out some over the past few days... in a concerted, not conceited effort at improving the content of this site. Perhaps you're the "designer" I saw on a small manse renovation a few years back... the one who felt movable 110v wall sconces would be the "optimum utilization of a colonial motif." Whatever. I suggested "Velcro." He agreed.Come back when you have a valid ID, kid.
*Ooof, Andrew... low blow. From a Barrister! Imagine!
*Studio 7,I don't suppose that you were the architect that was responsible for the last print that I looked at? The foundation plan was 2' shorter than the first floor section and the material list didn't include any plywood what-so-ever. How does work like that keep a project on budget? With someone like that working for the client, who needs a builder?I guess I couldn't help myself, I stooped.KMH
*Fist of steel in a silk glove!!! LOL
*Greetings,I supppose the sarcasm of my comments did not translate or were misunderstood. I was in a hurry last evening and forgot to sign my post. The e-mail address is real, you can e-mail me there My computer at home is not set up yet, to busy redoing the house, not enough hours in a day. I will not drag the firm that I work with into this, because these are my own comments. Studio7 is my own company where I do small side jobs, as well as custom woodworking.What I was trying to point out was that not only builders and architects access this forum, but potential clients as well. I have nothing against an open exchange of information and a conflict of ideas but many of these threads degenerate into bickering between 6 year olds. This forum was not always this bad, and I agree many of the posts are very informative and courteous. I have nothing against the names mentioned in the title of my post, they were just names I have noticed in many of these threads. I have also noticed less and less new posts each time I log in, and it seems to be the same people. I know many people are "lurking", but it seems that fewer people are willing to open themselves up to criticism and abuse.As for the 2 Kens, I would say that most if not all of my clients have been very happy with the work, both the end result and the process that led up to it. I enjoy great relationships with most of the contractors that I have worked with as well, based on a respect for the knowledge that each individual brings to the project. And to the other Ken,no I did not screw up your foundation. Hope you're not the guy that laid out a foundation 4 or 5 years ago that was several feet in the wrong direction, over the setback line and $15,000 worth of concrete was ripped up and repoured (I know you're not). I do make mistakes, but nothing that bad yet! I will agree that there are many architects, maybe a majority that should not be let near a building. I just got brought into a project to oversee construction, 65 units of elderly housing, all permited ready to go. The previous architect had designed the building with not a single unit being handicap accessible, and it got through the permitting process.To make a short story long- the point I was trying to make is none of you would talk to or treat your clients the way you talk to and treat others on this board. Clients do read these forums and it reflects badly on all of us.ChrisPS Jack sorry I made you cry, are you sure it wasn't because you wish your were over here on the other side of Champlain in the Green Mountains? Probably not.
*Not half bad for a real guy, with a real name...
*Thanks George.How did those Velcro sconces work out? One of these days when I get the house done (yeah right), I will get the computer up and running, and a web site going. Then you can all come see what I do. My buildings and my furniture both reflect the same principals, nothing too "fancy", just well thought out projects with quality construction and an honest use of materials.Chris
*Chris,Since you're close by it will be easy for ya to attend the Labor Day Fest....A slap for you will come from all of us I'm sure and then of course we'll make you go under the beer tap for as long to lighten you up a bit....Good point about how we all look to the world and I have been self monitoring myself much....I do enjoy feeling welcome as I wander the planet...Near the stream, back to play (work)J
*Jack,Don't worry I can take the slaps, got plenty to give out as well! Sounds like there will lots of that going around until we all see how much we have in common, and we can all get along, or we get too drunk to even bother with the slaps.As for the beer, I hope you will have some Otter Creek, or Long Trail. Any sort of good micro brew will do the trick, but they be my favorites!Nice day for some spring skiing! Let's take the afternoon off.Chris
*Chris,I ski with a group of sixteen every year or so from a trailside home at Sugarbush...First night we watch the Superbowl and almost always catch Mad River during their annual Founders Day...I have an Otter Creek Ski coat that was a grand Prize winning from a Founders day of too much bar time because my legs were so sore from the day before...Who says drinking doesn't pay...Boating season about to start here along with outside volleyball Wednesdays at a friends lakeside camp...Near the stream, enjoying my Otter Creek winning,J
*Chris - you're not from north of the border are you?
*Y.B.Ya gettin a might paranoid, or whaaat???
*Glad everyone is friends now! Kind of eerie, those common bonds...
*AndrewYa got someone watchin your back???
*I just don't want to get outnumbered. Any country that is willing to go to war over a PIG has a mighty scary gene pool as far as I'm concerned.Hey, did you hear about the eskimo who took his snowmobile to the repair shop? The mechanic looks it over and says "looks like you blew a seal." the eskimo says "nope, that's just frost on my mustache."
*Duh, I don't get it.
*'scuse me. . .. I gotta go change my pants. . . loosin bladder control in my middle age
*Ahhh the joys of Otter's Mud Bock...
*Nope, from the socialist center of Burlington VT.
*Joe's gotta be proud of all the quick posts!!!..Joe?I vote for more eskimo jokes and less flaming!...he ha ahaha ahah still smiling...Less than old Bob.Near teh stream,J
*OK, I'll try this again. I am really having trouble with this thing today.Chris - I am not piling on, especially after everyone has made all nicey nicey, but this has been bothering me all day and I need to say it.I respect and understand what you say about representing our profession and most times I try my best to do so. It is part of being a pro, part of being in buisness. But sometimes I also need a break (get it, breaktime?) so I pull up a chair, get online, and let fly without concern for who is "listening".I am not trying to impress any potential customers or anyone else. I am sure you have spent enough time around carpenters to know that sometimes the gloves come off and the fur flies. So be it. If some voyuer is offended they can go over to Fine Gardening.What I've seen here the short time I've been around has been very accuratly representative of job sight discussions I have grown to miss since I have been on my own. The exchange of ideas is invaluable and a lot of fun to boot.I hereby apologize to you and anyone else I offend here, but I give you my word that when I post, I will not give any thought to who might judge me or my profession by it. I hope that others will do the same.fartin' and belchin' - young bob
*Bob the Younger... What, no scratching? Well at least you got two out of three.
*Young Bob,I agree with you for the most part, I am just concerned that if things get too personal and nasty Tauton will start censoring or change the board something we can all agree would be a mistake.Part of my job is calming down builders and owners (You want a change order for how much?!!) so I am used to tempers and the yelling back and forth. This forum is reflective of the building process and if people want to build custom homes they should be aware of what may be in store. Now if we could convince all clients that the low-bid process is the shortest route to disaster we would all be better off!Chris
*you know, when you get done with this phase of your life, I think you might have a future in politics.
*He already IS a talented politician. I hope he realizes everyone plays bash-the-architect when he is out of earshot (or not). Wonder what architects say about homeowners and builders in their private moments?
*Set yourself up, you get knocked down. What's different about architects? BB
*No I don't think you did spell it correctly. The word according to Lisas' daughter is " Arkytek".
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