Architect Recommendations

how much does a car cost?

I would be happy to provide a quote for architectural services relative to your proposed renovation. Please feel to contact me to discuss the project details.
Best Regards,
Richard
richard@manhatta.net
Manhatta Architecture, P.C.

How much for the free cat adoption?

Anyone with an actual recommendation?

Please email me at aael0921@gmail.com for a recommendation.

Greencat,

Feel free to email me at primerenovations@mac.com

I work with several architects that can help you

Jeff

Highly recommend Ann Macklin: http://a2architect.com/

Rates are by the hour. Not sure what her current schedule is (most of my work with her was in 2012) but certainly very reasonable as far as NYC architects go.

I too am in the market for a architect... The problem with looking for a architect/contractor is... there isn't a way to determine if they are "qualified" to do the task... It just comes down to hoping someone knows someone who might know someone, which is a horrible way to find someone good.

The best this I have found so far is YELP... But even Yelp has limited number of reviews. Does Angie's list work? or is there any other forum which might provide insight into a contractors/architects past?

Many architects charge a % of total cost - range from 10 to 20%. You get what you paid for.
One recommendation - Agree on the schedule with the architect and GC and build penalty clauses in the contracts for any delays in schedule.

I think the % of total cost model is baloney. The architect's workload is no different if you get tiles imported from a tiny hillside village in Italy or the mass produced stuff from Home Depot.

Paying an architect extra money because of expensive finishes is precisely one area where you don't get what you're paid for.

superlun: Find people who have been in business for many years and vet their references. Not sure why that is any worse than relying on anonymous postings on the Internet.

Martin Safren AIA - 800-776-7648

superlun: Arch/GC - ARCHIVESid 212 6852715 info@archivesid.com / Manhattan Renovations 212 685 6358 info@manhattanrenovations.com

Flarf, it seems like baloney at the marginal level (i.e. a client makes a simple appliance upgrade and must pay a bit more to the architect) however, the % of total cost model actually works quite well for a couple of reasons.

If you are the guy who is ordering tiles imported from a tiny hillside village in Italy, then you are probably way more particular about your living space than the guy ordering mass produced tile or formica. You will want to use a better, higher end architect who will take the time to understand how you will use your living space as well as your taste - both of which will inform a lot of design decisions. Better architects often don't charge a significantly higher % of cost than other architects because they have clients with larger budgets that will choose higher end finishes, want customized features, and demand high quality construction. In other words, the higher cost of the project is how high end architects earn the larger fee they deserve for the incremental time, talent, and effort to plan, design, and supervise the project.

Secondly, the alternative would be to charge hourly fees. I have worked with architects on several projects, and I wouldn't even know where to begin estimating the amount of time they would spend on each individual activity (designing, drawing floor plans and elevations, putting together a construction set, assessing bids, supervising construction etc.) let alone in the aggregate. In fact, I'm not sure the architects would even be able to do this. So a % of cost is a reasonable way of helping the client estimate the additional cost required to design and oversee a really high end apartment renovation versus a run of the mill one.

superlun,

I couldn't disagree more. As a contractor I encourage all my perspective clients to call my past clients and they are more then welcome to visit my past and ongoing projects. What better why to see if someone is a good fit for a project.

I initially had the same attitude about our architect charging a percent of the contract. But after wrapping up two renovations, I'm happy to do it a third time. That expensive glass tile we chose to use as an accent in our master bath? I was damn glad to pay the percentage so that my architect could layout the tile in a full mockup prior to installation. He spent days to do this so that the contractor took the time to install it properly, so that seams align properly, the 6 different color tiles we used were evenly but randomly spaced. If this were hourly, I would have lost my shirt. But, we wanted high-end, we paid high-end. There are times I choose to stay at a Holiday Inn Express and there are times I choose to stay at a Ritz Carlton. Are they both beds for the night? Yes and no. This debate about high-end architects and contractors will continue endlessly here -- some people just don't appreciate or need high-end, which is totally fine. But let's recognize there are differences with all products, like cars and hotels.

Not sure why people are conflating a billing method with quality of work...

Architects/designers have a variety of tools to evaluate the cost to design and administer a project. The percentage of construction cost is one method, but most will use a combination of hourly projections and a fixed fee for a defined scope of work. If the scope of work changes, ie one bath renovation turns into a full gut renovation, the compensation is adjusted.

I suggest utilizing websites such as Houzz or Zillow Digs to locate local professionals. The research should also assist you in the development of your aesthetic preferences, and this will greatly influence the architect selection. Ask your real estate broker, if you have one, if they've seen any applicable renovations. Regardless of the selected details, the skill of the architect is best appreciated in the assembly of the materials.

In the end, it's a referral business. Always inquire for references before signing an agreement.

Feel free to email me if you have any specific questions: info@hirshsondesign.com

Best of luck!

green_cat
3 days ago
Posts: 10
Member since: Jun 2012
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Anyone with an actual recommendation?

I can't believe how useless and selfish Guywithcat was on this thread.

Useless and selfish? Sounds like HB/GB/FC on most threads.

I know an really experts from Canada maybe they are too far from USA but i think it worth to see their reference:

http://oakwood.ca/

...and their one blog site:

http://oakwoodrenovation.weebly.com/

I would be happy to assist you with your proposed renovation. Please feel free to contact me with additional details.
Best Regards,
Richard
richard@manhatta.net
www.manhatta.net

I've used this person on three separate Manhattan co-op and condo projects. Love him.

www.davidlingarchitect.com

As a follow-up, I have several review on Houzz: http://www.houzz.com/browseReviews/manhatta_architecture/manhatta-architecture-pc

Thanks,
Richard
richard@manhatta.net
www.manhatta.net