Small Project Design

 View Only

  • 1.  Virtual Office

    Posted 03-12-2012 10:11 AM
    This message has been cross posted to the following Discussion Forums: Small Project Practitioners and Technology in Architectural Practice .
    -------------------------------------------
    I would like to pose a few questions to HR and/or owners:
    1. Do you allow your employees to telecommute? If so, how many times a week?
    2. Does the office "close" on a certain day and all employees work from home?
    3. How do you keep track of time?  Honor system or virtual time clock?
    4. Would you hire an independent design contractor (CAD) that would telecommute?

    -------------------------------------------
    Howard Tews Assoc. AIA
    Laurel DE
    -------------------------------------------


  • 2.  RE:Virtual Office

    Posted 03-13-2012 02:37 PM
    I use independent consultants to help with drafting or other related functions when I am in need. They work from their homes or offices and share files electronically. On occasion we meet in person to go over the produced documents.
    This arrangement works beautifully! No employees, payroll taxes, chasing contracts to keep employees, paying commercial office rents, etc. It equates to a higher profitability and lower stress.

    -------------------------------------------
    Leslie LeBon AIA
    Principal/Owner
    LeBon Architects
    Laguna Beach CA
    -------------------------------------------








  • 3.  RE:Virtual Office

    Posted 03-14-2012 07:49 PM
    I'm in that position now, on the other end.  For the past 3 years, I have been doing the independent work.  I do like working from home, more time with my family BUT I do miss the office atmosphere and the benefits (medical, dental, etc.), bouncing ideas off one another,etc. I'd rather be an employee and not an IC.  I feel lucky that I completed my IDP and almost done with my exams but I do feel bad for those intern architects that are trying to complete IDP and doing the independent work.
    I can understand that using ICs can save money.  but isn't that similar, please correct me if I'm wrong, to companies going overseas to get cheaper labor? How about bringing them on as employees and allowing them to work from home 3-4 days a week and 1-2 in office for meetings, face time, etc.
    I feel like I'm in a rut and can't get out of the IC label. 

    Do you keep the ICs around for a long time or do you go through them like bumwad?

    Is this the future of architectural 'firms' ?


    -------------------------------------------
    Howard Tews Assoc. AIA
    Laurel DE
    -------------------------------------------






    Original Message


  • 4.  RE:Virtual Office

    Posted 03-15-2012 01:07 PM
    I hear you Howard. There is something to be said about working in a collaboration with colleagues and of course the steady paycheck and benefits. Being an IC isn't for everyone.
    I don't think independent contractors are the future of our profession just another option available for people and firms. The amount of people working as IC's usually increase during economic slumps and this economy has driven many to work with this way since firms have not been hiring but may need somone for a temporary assignment. Economic forecast is looking better and money is starting to trickle for projects. Once firms start hiring full time again, you may be able to get out of your rut.

    I use the same IC's. Like an employee, we know how to work with each other.
    Best of luck to you.

    -------------------------------------------
    Leslie LeBon AIA
    Principal/Owner
    LeBon Architects
    Laguna Beach CA
    -------------------------------------------






    Original Message


  • 5.  RE:Virtual Office

    Posted 03-14-2012 11:38 PM


    -------------------------------------------
    Paul Richards AIA
    Registered Architect, LEED Accredited Professional
    R ' a+p limited liability company
    Seattle WA
    -------------------------------------------








  • 6.  RE:Virtual Office

    Posted 03-15-2012 02:16 PM

    These have been challenging times and after laying everyone off in 2007 - 2008 we used ICs for a while.  However, I hired two interns last year, splitting a full time position in half so each of them gets minimum 20 hours per week and that seems to work well.  The idea is to bring them on full time as soon as financially feasible.  Those of us licensed and operating our own firms have a moral obligation to develop the next generation of architects and so I made the leap late last year despite the financial strain.  I figure six months of training for these young future architects and designers was better than being  unemployed and they understand that if for some reason I cannot provide lifetime employment.

    I am not opposed to telecommuting in theory - it does work and maybe we will try to shut down one day a week to allow for that in the near future.
    -------------------------------------------
    Peter Dube AIA
    Principal
    Dube Group Architecture
    Reno NV
    -------------------------------------------






    Original Message


  • 7.  RE:Virtual Office

    Posted 03-16-2012 11:03 AM

    I started my career basically as an IC when I got out of college in 1991. I worked part time on an as needed basis for a local architect that worked out of his house and I had one or two non- architecture jobs at the same time. An architect he knew also needed similar help so I stated working for them both and coordinated a weekly schedule between them. Some weeks I worked 50 hours between the two and others nothing. Eventually one of them got busy and I wound up working for exclusively for him, still as an IC for a while then he made me a regular employee. This story doesn't really provide any answers here but is sort of relevant so I thought I would share.

    -------------------------------------------
    Thomas Streicher AIA
    Thomas Streicher, Architect
    Monroe NY
    -------------------------------------------






    Original Message