Help us find a freelance architect (around Montclair, NJ or NYC)

August 2, 2015 11:25 AM

My wife and I just bought our first house and it needs some renovations on a small budget. We’re not going to be able to afford a full-service architectural firm (handling permits/contractors/project-management/etc), but we think consulting an architect will be money very well spent. We’d like someone to do a walkthrough with us, discuss and improve the changes we’re considering, and then put together detailed/accurate drawings for the remodel.

Almost everything we’re doing is cosmetic; the foundation and structure of the house are in good shape. We have a good contractor who will work with us to keep costs down, and we can take care of permitting, procure materials and do some of the work ourselves. Before starting construction we’d like to do one pass with the architect, review those plans with the general/HVAC contractors to see if they’d need anything changed, and then go back to the architect for final drawings for the contractors to work from.

How do we go about finding an architect to work with us? If you’ve worked with anyone in the area we’d love to have recommendations, but also comments for anything we might not be considering. Thank you!

posted by ethand to Home & Garden (4 answers total)

Step one would be to ask your contractor for recommendations.

Otherwise, you might have better luck looking for someone who isn't an architect but does is an architectural technologist or otherwise does design and drafting. They tend to cost less than an architect (who typically charge as a percentage of the project) as they work on an hourly basis.
posted by ssg at 12:14 PM on August 2, 2015

The Montclair Watercooler group on Facebook is a really good resource for local recommendations. If you do ask there, try to give a budget range since the definition of "small" for some members may not align with yours.
posted by bcwinters at 12:54 PM on August 2, 2015

Try the website of your local AIA (American Institute of Architects) chapter. They usefulness of the AIA websites varies a lot by chapter, but many you can search the member firms by specialty. The AIA is the primary professional organization for architects, so it's usually the best place to start looking for someone locally. Local chapters often have FAQ's or seminars on how to work with an architect too.
posted by annie o at 9:05 PM on August 7, 2015

I also just want to note that what you're suggesting is what lots of people want to do, and it's not the preferred delivery method for architects for a reason. When we deliver draiwngs to you, it's not like an IKEA assembly package where that's pretty much it and everything will go together perfectly. Especially for renovations of existing structures, there are lots of unknowns. During permiting and construction, the role of the architect is traditionally to represent the interest of the client (you) to both the city and your contractor, both of whom are trying to make your project cheaper and worse (while still charging you as much money as possible). The architect can help you keep your vision intact and make it happen. When unexpected things are found on demolition, the architect can help you figure out how to deal with them in a cost conscious way that matches your design intent. When the contractor throws up his hands and says he can't do something, the architect can help him figure out how to do it. If you just hire the architect to give you drawings, but don't include them in the permit and construction process, the architect cannot gurantee you're getting what you were promised. The quality of the project is very likely going to be degraded, and there's no one to help you solve problems on the fly. Many architects will do construction administration on an hourly basis, so you could call them in only as needed. Most architects will be willing to work with you on fees and find a structure that will make everyone happy.
posted by annie o at 9:13 PM on August 7, 2015