Services

At times, we have clients that are unaware of possessing any existing floor plans or exterior elevation drawings of their present home or building. These are what is known in the Industry as “As Builts”.

In order to have a base plan to start your design for a new home or remodel, it is a must to acquire field dimensions, photograph and develop a useful set of scaled drawings that reflect the AS BUILT conditions of the home or building area that may be remodeled or added onto for our clients. These will be useful for appraisal services, acquiring bank loans, discussing future remodeling to the structure or just general use by the owners to cut out scaled furniture and move around without actually moving the furniture. We would use the existing drawings if available for reference to dimension the home and then verify its final dimensions.

This service is inclusive of each remodel project for the importance of having a solid base to start a design from. Every building needs a set of Basic As Built drawings with proper and accurate dimensions, photographs and to develop work from, in order to be sure that the project you have in mind is feasible to be done and meets your expectations.

This is useful if you may just be looking for fresh ideas. For instance, you may have been pondering a thought for a couple years and just wasn’t sure if it would fit your needs or desires or if it would work. In a very short period of time (sometimes hours) we can take that thought and present it in schematic form or even take that previous thought and revise its thinking to come up with a solution that could at least save you our fees; and make the previous thought a reality that REALLY works and works functionally and cosmetically with a least amount of up-front cash.

We can develop several concepts (2-3) in a very short period of time that considers your programming requirements and shall be discussed to its fullest. All one has to do is keep asking questions.

Our studies and with our CAD program we will present an opportunity for you to physically walk through your new concept, be it a new home, commercial facility or Additions thereto.

During the design of a Project we ask for and generally are presented with a Budget by the client. This budget needs further discussion in regards to pricing in the present times and demographics of the area.

Once a preliminary design is established and approved, if asked by the client for residential work under basic services, (commercial work – it is standard to do) we shall develop a probable cost estimate and maintain it throughout the design to be sure we stay within one’s budget and as close as possible for an additional fee. This process may require input from several sources as the project moves forward.

Costs developed are only estimated probable costs and do not reflect actual pricing of the project until Bids are taken in and awarded. NOTE: We are Architects not Contractors.

This service may only be a part of a Full Design and Documents contract with our clients. It will not be offered with a basic construction drawing set of plans and generic specifications.

It is a service contracted for one of our representatives to be on site when necessary to observe and document the progress of the project during the construction and to be sure that the contractor is constructing it in accordance to the full Contract Documents. Call our office for further details of this service.

Some projects require a construction manager to oversee the construction and control monies on the Project. At times a representative is required to be on site each day of the construction in order to keep accurate records of the projects progress, keep track of personnel, visitors, and subcontractors, maintain daily logs, keep change order records, review project construction schedule, review and scrutinize Payment requests, perform job progress meetings and much more.

The construction manager generally works for the owner and is his eyes on a project.

Grading/Drainage Design & Plans

Storm Water Management for site specific projects and the necessary contract drawings for such is a high priority amongst our Communities and Municipalities today. These are high points established in the green movement and in a site’s sustainability in its Community. Existing and new finished grades for the new construction is researched and calculations for runoff along with its reclamation and usage is established to meet certain minimums set by the Municipality. Generally, a means of site holding water collection prior to immediate flow into municipal storm drains is a must.

Plans are developed that meet Municipal minimum standards and details are completed to clarify necessary calculations and be sure the final system performs to its potential. We work with trained storm water management (SWM) professionals to complete this work to it’s fullest and acceptable end.

Mechanical Electrical Drawings

When a Full-Service Contract has been signed, mechanical/electrical/plumbing (MEP) drawings and there Details shall be coordinated in house with a well experienced, trusted and established Professional Engineer by our firm. Design and Drawings are presented and reviewed with our clients and coordinated with BaP.

Drawings are complete and fully specified in accordance with the contracted Mechanical/Electrical/Plumbing (MEP) Engineer.

Building Consultant and Counseling Services

It has been our pleasure to be a Professional Building Construction Designer and Consultant since 1966. I am always on call (just a phone call away) to answer nearly any question that may pertain to a building or site construction. At times, it may be necessary to see a photo or visit the site, but in most cases, they can be answered on the phone. There are times that one may need a written report in order to deliver to a Town official and we have provided this service many times in our firm’s career.

This service is completed at our professional hourly rate and based on pertinent information to acquire a quote.

CAD Design and Drawings

In the past thirteen (13) years we have completed our projects on Chief Architect, Inc. CAD System Versions 6, 10, X1- X11 and in 2020 we shall update to another new Version X12. We are able to convert DWG and DXF files back and forth with other CAD programs, such as AUTOCAD and also work with Sketch Up, Version 8. We presently use a 2013 Model iPF650 Canon Image ProGraf Color Plotter. Also in use is a Cannon MX922 all-in-one Printer/Scanner. Many of our projects have and are placed on PDF format and sent by email if a client can accept this form of communication.

We are versed in Quick-books Pro, Excel, Microsoft Word, Outlook Express, Internet Explorer, Firefox, Google Chrome, Acrobat Reader DC, ResCheck, StrucCalc 10.0, Vitruvius Project and have a presence on Angie’s List, Facebook and LinkedIn.

CAD Modeling

During and/or after projects are complete you may ask for a digital Model of the project or provide a Walk-through video of a finished Design; or maybe even to present a new design before completing any drawings too. Our 3D/2D System CAD program is highly capable of performing this task with a high quality of appearance and photo capability.

Our system is capable to present glass and framing models, and much more.

Furniture Design

We have designed built in furniture and/or individual pieces such as Coffee tables, craftsman style beds and custom Cabinets. Many times, it is part of the detailing and the finished design of a new full-service project.

Please refer to our Library/Links page to view several quality and trusted professionals we have had a pleasure to meet and work with in the past. Please visit them if you are looking for something specific or have questions.

Architectural Preservation

At times, we have the opportunity to dive into an old historical, architecturally designed, and wonderful piece of history. It is with great pride that we get involved with such a project to preserve its structural, cosmetic and historic presence in our communities.

Sustainable & Green Architecture

For many years we have been promoting Green Architecture and Sustainable Designs through the careful programming of our client’s wants and needs. The environment is ours as a nation and world caretakers to preserve and as Architects, it’s our job to enforce and promote its capabilities and find new ways to present our findings.

Graphic Design

Graphic Design is the creation of visual concepts, using computer software or by hand, to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, and captivate consumers. They develop the overall layout and production design for applications such as fliers, advertisements, brochures, magazines, and reports.