Custom Residential Architects Network

This message has been cross posted to the following Discussion Forums: CRAN Custom Residential Architects Network and Small Project Practitioners .
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I recently renovated a house that was damaged by a fallen tree during the recent high wind storms in upstate NY. I met the client at a school social and introduced myself as an architect who could help with the repairs. I promoted my knowing local contractors who could do the work at a reasonable cost. I hired the help of painters and framers and did the work and more, providing solutions for a wet basement, plumbing issues  and fencing repairs. All this for a preagreed cost matching the funds provided by her insurance for the original damages for the tree but extending the scope of work so that she can rent the house. Note that the house had not been used in 17 years and is now in much better shape.
My client recently told me that she had been confused about me doing it all and being an architect and, as I understand, charging for the construction costs. I told her that she probably would have paid much more using separate contractors. I feel a bit guilty but I don't really know why. I knew the budget before the bid, I offered a lower price for the work than my competitor and she had the best professional help that she could expect.
Did I do anything wrong? How could I have been more clear?
Please advise
Thanks
 
PS: Is it ethical to work both as an architect with construction knowledge, hire subs and charge clients for construction, effectively working as a construction manager?
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Christian Fekete
Architect
Advancing Concepts in Architecture of NY, P.C.
Rhinebeck NY
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That sounds like a simple design-build job to me.  There is nothing wrong with it at all.  It sounds like you feel a little guilty for not explaining clearly that you'd be acting as construction manager as well as architect.  I'm assuming your contract (if you had one) was not as clear as you'd like it to be.  I'd recommend that if you want to do more design-build work like this in the future, just be sure you have an agreement up front for design fees and construction management fees.  Also, If you're marking up contractor's fees or taking a cut of their profits, you should inform your client of that arrangement.    

I've been working on and around construction sites my whole life.  I have also been a construction manager for projects I have designed.  Sometimes, when it's called for, I even work as a carpenter or tile installer or even landscaper on my jobs.  If you know construction and know local sub-contractors, there's is no one better to see a vision through to the end than the architect.

I'm a firm believer in "architect as master builder" -- And it's great to hear of other architects getting their hands dirty.

Good luck.    
       
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Jason Taylor AIA
Managing Member
J. Taylor Design Group, LLC
New Rochelle NY
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Original Message:
Sent: 11-04-2011 12:02
From: Christian Fekete
Subject: Design and Subcontracting

This message has been cross posted to the following Discussion Forums: CRAN Custom Residential Architects Network and Small Project Practitioners .
-------------------------------------------
I recently renovated a house that was damaged by a fallen tree during the recent high wind storms in upstate NY. I met the client at a school social and introduced myself as an architect who could help with the repairs. I promoted my knowing local contractors who could do the work at a reasonable cost. I hired the help of painters and framers and did the work and more, providing solutions for a wet basement, plumbing issues  and fencing repairs. All this for a preagreed cost matching the funds provided by her insurance for the original damages for the tree but extending the scope of work so that she can rent the house. Note that the house had not been used in 17 years and is now in much better shape.
My client recently told me that she had been confused about me doing it all and being an architect and, as I understand, charging for the construction costs. I told her that she probably would have paid much more using separate contractors. I feel a bit guilty but I don't really know why. I knew the budget before the bid, I offered a lower price for the work than my competitor and she had the best professional help that she could expect.
Did I do anything wrong? How could I have been more clear?
Please advise
Thanks
 
PS: Is it ethical to work both as an architect with construction knowledge, hire subs and charge clients for construction, effectively working as a construction manager?
-------------------------------------------
Christian Fekete
Architect
Advancing Concepts in Architecture of NY, P.C.
Rhinebeck NY
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As one of the leaders of D-B efforts in NYS i have been an advocate for legalization in NYS. We too do it, but under separate contracts as a CMa. While there is much discussion on its acceptance, unfortunately it is still contrary to to State Ed Licensing Regulations and is sanctionable under these regs. Hopefullly, your client will not file a complaint.
Feel free to contact me directly if you want tom discuss further.
BRoslyn@roslynconsultants.com
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Burton L. Roslyn, FAIA
President
Roslyn Consultants, LLC
Roslyn Heights, New York
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Original Message:
Sent: 11-07-2011 01:12
From: Jason Taylor
Subject: Design and Subcontracting

That sounds like a simple design-build job to me.  There is nothing wrong with it at all.  It sounds like you feel a little guilty for not explaining clearly that you'd be acting as construction manager as well as architect.  I'm assuming your contract (if you had one) was not as clear as you'd like it to be.  I'd recommend that if you want to do more design-build work like this in the future, just be sure you have an agreement up front for design fees and construction management fees.  Also, If you're marking up contractor's fees or taking a cut of their profits, you should inform your client of that arrangement.    

I've been working on and around construction sites my whole life.  I have also been a construction manager for projects I have designed.  Sometimes, when it's called for, I even work as a carpenter or tile installer or even landscaper on my jobs.  If you know construction and know local sub-contractors, there's is no one better to see a vision through to the end than the architect.

I'm a firm believer in "architect as master builder" -- And it's great to hear of other architects getting their hands dirty.

Good luck.    
       
-------------------------------------------
Jason Taylor AIA
Managing Member
J. Taylor Design Group, LLC
New Rochelle NY
-------------------------------------------






Original Message:
Sent: 11-04-2011 12:02
From: Christian Fekete
Subject: Design and Subcontracting

This message has been cross posted to the following Discussion Forums: CRAN Custom Residential Architects Network and Small Project Practitioners .
-------------------------------------------
I recently renovated a house that was damaged by a fallen tree during the recent high wind storms in upstate NY. I met the client at a school social and introduced myself as an architect who could help with the repairs. I promoted my knowing local contractors who could do the work at a reasonable cost. I hired the help of painters and framers and did the work and more, providing solutions for a wet basement, plumbing issues  and fencing repairs. All this for a preagreed cost matching the funds provided by her insurance for the original damages for the tree but extending the scope of work so that she can rent the house. Note that the house had not been used in 17 years and is now in much better shape.
My client recently told me that she had been confused about me doing it all and being an architect and, as I understand, charging for the construction costs. I told her that she probably would have paid much more using separate contractors. I feel a bit guilty but I don't really know why. I knew the budget before the bid, I offered a lower price for the work than my competitor and she had the best professional help that she could expect.
Did I do anything wrong? How could I have been more clear?
Please advise
Thanks
 
PS: Is it ethical to work both as an architect with construction knowledge, hire subs and charge clients for construction, effectively working as a construction manager?
-------------------------------------------
Christian Fekete
Architect
Advancing Concepts in Architecture of NY, P.C.
Rhinebeck NY
-------------------------------------------

Just make sure that you have your insurance policies all clearly sorted out. E&O providers generally do not like mixing design services with contracting services. AIA has some good contracts that help separate the two sides of your practice. Using them might also have helped your client understand the services that you were going to provide. (Although it seems pretty obvious what you were offering so I guess I don't get her tact?)
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Randall Walton AIA
Vice President
Walton & Walton, Inc
Fort Worth TX
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Original Message:
Sent: 11-07-2011 01:12
From: Jason Taylor
Subject: Design and Subcontracting

That sounds like a simple design-build job to me.  There is nothing wrong with it at all.  It sounds like you feel a little guilty for not explaining clearly that you'd be acting as construction manager as well as architect.  I'm assuming your contract (if you had one) was not as clear as you'd like it to be.  I'd recommend that if you want to do more design-build work like this in the future, just be sure you have an agreement up front for design fees and construction management fees.  Also, If you're marking up contractor's fees or taking a cut of their profits, you should inform your client of that arrangement.    

I've been working on and around construction sites my whole life.  I have also been a construction manager for projects I have designed.  Sometimes, when it's called for, I even work as a carpenter or tile installer or even landscaper on my jobs.  If you know construction and know local sub-contractors, there's is no one better to see a vision through to the end than the architect.

I'm a firm believer in "architect as master builder" -- And it's great to hear of other architects getting their hands dirty.

Good luck.    
       
-------------------------------------------
Jason Taylor AIA
Managing Member
J. Taylor Design Group, LLC
New Rochelle NY
-------------------------------------------






Original Message:
Sent: 11-04-2011 12:02
From: Christian Fekete
Subject: Design and Subcontracting

This message has been cross posted to the following Discussion Forums: CRAN Custom Residential Architects Network and Small Project Practitioners .
-------------------------------------------
I recently renovated a house that was damaged by a fallen tree during the recent high wind storms in upstate NY. I met the client at a school social and introduced myself as an architect who could help with the repairs. I promoted my knowing local contractors who could do the work at a reasonable cost. I hired the help of painters and framers and did the work and more, providing solutions for a wet basement, plumbing issues  and fencing repairs. All this for a preagreed cost matching the funds provided by her insurance for the original damages for the tree but extending the scope of work so that she can rent the house. Note that the house had not been used in 17 years and is now in much better shape.
My client recently told me that she had been confused about me doing it all and being an architect and, as I understand, charging for the construction costs. I told her that she probably would have paid much more using separate contractors. I feel a bit guilty but I don't really know why. I knew the budget before the bid, I offered a lower price for the work than my competitor and she had the best professional help that she could expect.
Did I do anything wrong? How could I have been more clear?
Please advise
Thanks
 
PS: Is it ethical to work both as an architect with construction knowledge, hire subs and charge clients for construction, effectively working as a construction manager?
-------------------------------------------
Christian Fekete
Architect
Advancing Concepts in Architecture of NY, P.C.
Rhinebeck NY
-------------------------------------------