Hello all,
I’ve been interviewing architects for a house I want to build in an area about 100 miles from where I now live. My question is this: The architect that I really like the most is in the city where I live but, he doesn’t know the new area or any of the builders or contractors there. My second choice is a firm that is located nearby and has worked with the local builders but, I can’t say I was blown away. Does being local trump the good feeling? Has anyone worked with an architect long distance and had problems? I would appreciate any input.
Thank you,
Diemaker
Replies
die.... bad contractors are legion
good contractors are numerous
great design is to die for..
if you start with great design , you have a good foundation to work with
i think you answer your own question
You probably ought to go with the good feeling.
You may, though, wind up just a tad dicey on the CM part of the architecting--the 2% of the fee for CM work is not going to cover many 200 mile round trips. Which may mean you'll be billed for mileage over and above the contract for services. It may be you'll need to factor an on-site CM of some kind, too. I don't know, just speculating.
Hi Diemaker,
As an architect I strongly suggest you go with the architect with whom you have the "chemistry". The close proximity of the architect to where you live will be important as he works and meets with you during the programming and design phase of your project.
The issue of his not knowing the builders in the project city is not a problem as he can research that through his professional contacts.
His distance (mileage) during the "Construction Administration" phase for periodic construction observation and review of work complete for contractor pay requests is nothing compared to making sure you have an architect that you can work with, understands you and your goals and can create a design you can live in for many years.
Good Luck!
Bob
Go for a good design and then get a good contractor that can execute the design with a minimum of oversight from the architect. The construction administration phase of an architect's work is expensive and unnecessary if you have a good contractor and are at all involved in the project. If you need someone to make all the decisions or do not have the time or ability to do this, then you can use an architect's services in this area.
Make it unanimous!
Every design I have ever built has come from an archy who has a distance to travel - from a 45 minute travel to a thirty five hundred mile trip. Witha decent contractor, the largest part of the architect's job is finished before the soil is turned over. problems can be handled via phone, fax, photo, and email. Make sure the builder has those tools and not just a hammer and saw - and that he is willing to use them.
The only time I have seen a problem with an architect who is from away is when they fail to consider local climate and materials availability.
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I guess Mike was right when he said I answered my own question, but I just wanted to hear it from someone else. My unease comes from a long distance rental experiment that went badly. Maybe I'm comparing apples and oranges though. The key would seem to be in finding a good contractor. How hard could that be? :-)Thank you all for your input.Diemaker