Protect Yourself!

Sad to say, many homeowners need to protect themselves from their:

What's the danger?

Confusion, miscommunication, frustration, resulting in unanticipated changes, delays and cost overruns. An endless project schedule.

How did this happen?

Oh, it's a long story, but basically, long struggles by architects and contractors to find a way to make a profit in a very unpredictable field filled with variables and constant changes. Contractors succeeded where architects haven't because they figured out it was all about the contract, not building construction, when they were called "builders." Architects have had lousy advocacy--the AIA failed where the AMA and the Bar Association succeeded. It's all about changing public perception about the value of the profession--is it necessity or a luxury?

BUYER BEWARE! Until recently, architects who brought along their own contractor, or even work with the same contractor a lot, were considered unethical. When they say, "I work with this guy all the time," the word collusion still pops into my head. I just can't help it!

Recommendations

Why do so many suffer through the construction process? Simple: building or reconstruction, for most people, is a once or twice in a lifetime experience. Contractors do it every day! How can you compete? Who will protect you from the sharks ? Your friendly Owner's Rep.

Tip: did you know that whatever time period your contractor promises for the duration of construction, you triple it? That's a secret I learned during my 11 years in the industry. If the contractor tells you the job will take 3 months--plan on 9!

Related Tip: If you ask your contractor if you can stay in the house during construction, they always say "Yes." My advice: plan on a hotel stay for the part of the construction when the air is filled with plaster dust!

Fact: In 200_, the American Institute of Architects grudgingly allowed a business approach previously considered unethical. It's called "Design/Build." We used to call it "collusion." Design/build is technically legal, but it removes 2 key elements from the job--1) oversight and 2) competitive pricing, achieved by putting the job out to bid. Design/Build runs roughshod over the architect's traditional role to protect you from a gouging contractor, and to deliver the best project for the money. Unfortunately, "Design/Build"--if not in name--has become standard practice in many parts of L.A. Why did this change? Because architects were not doing their job, nor was the AIA, traditionally one of the weakest professional organizations in the country.

Fact: an architect is supposed to be a professional , just as a doctor or lawyer, and he's working for you . A professional's main job is to make you, his client, aware of the best options.

Warning: if a contractor says, "You don't need an architect. I have a guy who stamps the drawings," run for the nearest exit! He is ignoring the spirit and the letter of the law. L.A. law says you need stamped drawings if your work exceeds ________. Yes, your drawings will be stamped--by a hack engineer, a down-on-his-luck architect, or some other mercenary.

I am available for work in and around Los Angeles, CA, including Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Pacific Palisades, Encino, Sherman Oaks, Santa Monica, Burbank, Silverlake, Los Feliz, Hollywood, West Hollywood, Studio City, Echo Park, Brentwood, Westwood, West LA, Culver City, Reseda, Thousand Oaks, Woodland Hills, Malibu, Venice, Marina del Rey.

Note: these services are also called Remodeling Coach, Renovation Coach, Construction Coach. There is a recent New York Times article about our profession and growing need for it..