We’ve all heard that plans (as in planning to determine a desired outcome) are never perfect. Situations and requirements change, and the plan itself must be flexible. The metaphor is; if you expect to even hit close to your target (goal), you must have a plan.

We’ve also heard the old axiom, the stink of poor quality lasts long after the seduction of a low price is forgotten. Whatever happened to, you get what you pay for? For some unknown reason, construction documents (plans) are often looked upon as a necessary evil. A soft cost. All you really need is the permit, right? The builder will straighten it all out in the field, right? Wrong and wrong.

Quality plans from a licensed professional not only eliminate the vast majority of errors and omissions (saving you from snowballing back-charges and extras from your contractor or subcontractors), but there is always the added value of good design which equates directly to property value, not to mention the joy that comes from well-designed spaces. Your architect should listen to your needs, but, in turn, offer more than you ask for. Sure, we want to see your sketches, but we know that you don’t want us to literally regurgitate your ideas. You hire an architect to improve on them to do what we are trained to do; to think! I don’t mean turning your simple idea into our monument. I’m talking about natural lighting and energy efficiency. Value engineering and constructability. Better spatial arrangements. Scale and massing – when the building looks and feels right. And lets never forget code and life safety issues.

Fees vary, even among the good architects. Compare fees sure, shop your project, but do it apples to apples, licensed architect to licensed architect. Consider this; there are lots of axioms out there and here is another: A good architect will save you time and money; it’s part of the plan!