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Abdel403
Joined: 14 Dec 2008
Posts: 2
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 Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2008 6:08 pm Post subject: Help with some ideas for my basement |
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Hello, I'm planning to finish my basement but first I need to put a floorplan and layout to what I want, anyone good at that and have so,me time to spare with me  ? I can send a sketch with dimensions on it .
Thanks,
Abdel.
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Abdel403
Joined: 14 Dec 2008
Posts: 2
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lekizz
millennium club
Joined: 11 Jan 2006
Posts: 1212
Location: UK
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| Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2008 4:45 am Post subject: |
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Not at all sure what you are asking, or for that matter where in the world you are! Are you building a new house or refurbishing an existing building?
Many of us here are architects or home designers, but if we worked for nothing we would end up on the breadline! Maybe the best approach would be if you develop some of your own ideas and then post the plans/sections and ask us what we think.
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dave72
Joined: 15 May 2008
Posts: 6
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| Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2008 12:09 pm Post subject: |
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I dont mean to get off track here but the comment below was irritating to me.
"Many of us here are architects or home designers, but if we worked for nothing we would end up on the breadline!"
I dont mean to talk in a negative way about anyone or group in particular, but in my experiences many architects feel this way and I really dont know why.
I was going to have some work done on my home, invited 3 architects and 2 design/build contractors over for an interview/discussion of the project. All 3 architects spoke in VERY general terms and would not offer specific suggestions or ideas without signing on the dotted line and writing a check. While the two design build firms provided me with ideas and quick floor plans and perspectives of the project at the time of the visit. Granted these were done with quick 3d design software while on site so not truely accurate. The meeting was free along with perspectives.
Guess who I wound up using on the project. Yes the design build firm. I felt that if the architect was only going to talk about past projects and not get into a specifics of my project, how could I feel comfortable working with someone like that. I know you're going to tell me that an architect has a lot to offer. I'm certain its probably true, but if they are not willing to offer up suggestions or ideas, how can one get past that and actually write the check?
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skyrmy
Joined: 29 Jun 2008
Posts: 5
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| Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2008 5:12 pm Post subject: daves comment |
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I so totally agree with Dave. Its like walking into Lowes. You want help but don't know which way to go YET............... of course your going back to the person that helped you decide WHAT do to and which way to go.
As far as asking for someone to draw you out a plan......that would be only from the kindness of someones heart. Someone out there ENJOYS playing and can give you some ideas. Some rough sketches to help get you started........... i too have a full basement im just starting to think about finishing. I don't want to pay someone until I know that he/ she will ENJOY doing what she does and help me with suggestions. So many people think that WE know what we want.....................I DON't..........
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phansford
Joined: 18 Apr 2004
Posts: 832
Location: SW Ohio
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| Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2008 8:42 pm Post subject: |
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| dave72 wrote: | I dont mean to get off track here but the comment below was irritating to me.
"Many of us here are architects or home designers, but if we worked for nothing we would end up on the breadline!"
I dont mean to talk in a negative way about anyone or group in particular, but in my experiences many architects feel this way and I really dont know why.
I was going to have some work done on my home, invited 3 architects and 2 design/build contractors over for an interview/discussion of the project. All 3 architects spoke in VERY general terms and would not offer specific suggestions or ideas without signing on the dotted line and writing a check. While the two design build firms provided me with ideas and quick floor plans and perspectives of the project at the time of the visit. Granted these were done with quick 3d design software while on site so not truely accurate. The meeting was free along with perspectives.
Guess who I wound up using on the project. Yes the design build firm. I felt that if the architect was only going to talk about past projects and not get into a specifics of my project, how could I feel comfortable working with someone like that. I know you're going to tell me that an architect has a lot to offer. I'm certain its probably true, but if they are not willing to offer up suggestions or ideas, how can one get past that and actually write the check? |
Dave -
A couple of points.
As an architect - it is somewhat of a double edge sword. Architects are cautious about giving ideas during a simple marketing meeting. If I don't throw out a few ideas, how will you know if I am interested in your project and demonstrate to you that I will be "creative" on your project. Or that I am actually listening to you and letting you know how we can solve your design problem.
The other side - how do I protect my intellectual property - my design ideas. Shouldn't I be paid for my knowledge and skill. I have lost count of the number of projects where I come over, discuss the project with the owner, throw out a lot of ideas and then they go elsewhere. Should I bill you for my time if you are going to use my ideas? Architects invoice on an hourly rate. So me coming over to your house for 2 hours to discuss your project cost me $150-$250 in billable time.
Design is what architects are paid to do.... this is how we feed our families. When you go to your family doctor for a cold and when he tells to take a few aspirin for the fever and Vick's 44D for your cough - do you try to shaft him out of his bill? Do you expect to visit your attorney for advice on an issue and not get invoiced?
So where are we suppose to stop and start giving design advice in a marketing meeting. That is why most architects will give you a list of past projects and clients to contact. Our past work and satisfied clients speak volumes for us.
Now let's talk design/build. First - comparing a design/build firm to an architect is apples and oranges. Let me assure you that the design/build firm could care less about the design and only wants you to sign on their dotted line for construction. Also - the draftsmen or CAD operator that will do your "design" does not have the education of an architect.
A contractor's profit will be somewhere between 15-22% of the construction cost. My fee might get to 3% - if I am lucky.
Architect's are not selling anything but a service. The types of materials selected, the quantities of light fixtures, - the QUALITY of materials I design or specify DO NOT impact my fee. However, The contractor is selling lots of products and materials - as are all of their suppliers. They have something to sell - light fixtures, drywall, carpet, paint,..... get my point.
You think you are paying an architect to drawings for construction/permit.... but actually our drawings and specifications are called CONTRACT documents. They make up part of the contract between you and the contractor and define the level of work, quality and quantities of materials, performance requirements, and so on.
To put it another way.... I don't have a dog in the race when it comes to selecting materials or the quality of products. I discuss your budget and we design appropriately. If you signed a design/build contract and it does not specify in detail what is included... then you will get what the design/builder choses to give you.... unless you want to spend more money for the "upgrade".
Currently my favorite story is the couple who felt my design fee was too high for their kitchen renovation and family room addition. So they went to a design/build contractor. Nine months later, I am back at their house writing a report for their attorneys to use in suing the design/builder. There are incredible structural issues with the house, flex-duct easily is twice the length recommended by the manufacturer, the drawings in no way match the building.... floor joists are not what were shown on the drawings and they span differently then detailed. The house doesn't even meet the standards of quality set by the HBA - which are far lower than any architect would accept. Walls are 1/2" to 3/4" out of plumb and square. (I'm talking within a 6 feet distance - I used a 6 feet steel rule to measure) And they easily paid $10,000 more for the construction (about 20% on this particular project). The house is so out of square and plumb, that they should experience moisture problem in the house with a few years. There is no way the brick veneer is not touching the substrate at some places thus providing a bridge for moisture. These people got robbed. ROBBED. To correct this problems in this house, you would have to remove the addition completely and start over. If it wasn't for the husband being a cabinet maker...... I bet they would not have noticed the issues until moisture began to enter the house. So good luck with design/build contractors.
Finally - Basement renovations are not some dream project for an architect. Let's get serious. I have done a few and they are for existing clients, friends, or related to projects (or clients) that will lead to future work. I am not jumping up and down waiting for the next basement renovation to come into my office and typically will not even entertain meeting a client concerning a basement renovation.... and I am a one-person firm.
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lekizz
millennium club
Joined: 11 Jan 2006
Posts: 1212
Location: UK
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| Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2008 4:45 am Post subject: |
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Maybe I misinterpreted Abdel's request, but because s/he hasn't clarified what they are asking, it is understandable I drew my own conclusions. I've often seen professional people on this forum give helpful advice and suggestions. But if Abdel wanted a serious design service to remodel a house/design a basement then the bare floor plan tells us very little.
If s/he wants free advice then that would be more forthcoming if abdel firstly provided an idea or two of their own. Judging by the comments about the bedrooms and kitchenette there are clearly some early ideas floating around somewhere.
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phansford
Joined: 18 Apr 2004
Posts: 832
Location: SW Ohio
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| Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2008 6:43 am Post subject: |
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| lekizz wrote: | Maybe I misinterpreted Abdel's request, but because s/he hasn't clarified what they are asking, it is understandable I drew my own conclusions. I've often seen professional people on this forum give helpful advice and suggestions. But if Abdel wanted a serious design service to remodel a house/design a basement then the bare floor plan tells us very little.
If s/he wants free advice then that would be more forthcoming if abdel firstly provided an idea or two of their own. Judging by the comments about the bedrooms and kitchenette there are clearly some early ideas floating around somewhere. |
Well stated. I thought the same thing....... but was getting a little long in my response to dave72. 
If Abdel would list out the functions he is trying to place in his basement or his concerns, I think there would be a number of responses from folks, but at the present there is not enough information.
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