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Selecting an architect is important to the outcome of your project. We recommend talking to several architects before you make a final selection. The selection process does not have to be very complicated–talk to colleagues, business partners, friends or family who have worked with architects in your geographic area or your specific industry. You are looking for at least three architects to determine who is the most qualified and/or the …

Building projects are defined by a variety of different regulations, some of which are changing. One such example is the mapping updates completed by FEMA for flood zones in Plymouth County. While some property owners may have already been contacted by their financial institution requiring them to purchase flood insurance, others may also be looking at new restrictions on construction within their flood zone. Going into a project, it is …

A contingency is a dollar amount built into your budget to cover unexpected costs during the design and construction process and it is typically expressed as a percentage of your total construction cost.   While much work is done in advance to learn the facts about your project, the property, and the parameters by which your project can be designed and constructed, sometimes there are unexpected or unforeseen conditions that …

The utility company is notified, the demolition equipment and crew arrives, and within a day or two a building is transformed into a pile of debris and rubble, unrecognizable as the structure that was once occupied as a school, a store, or a home. The decision to demolish a structure should be made after careful consideration of the variables that exist for each particular project. If, after such consideration, you …

Many stories exist about contentious relationships between architects & builders. As stories, they can be extreme and would lead you to believe that all architects & builders behave in this manner or that if you work with one or the other you will end up in a contentious relationship. This story is about how to avoid such contention. Your project should benefit from working with both an architect & builder. …

Yes, we said it. Construction is disruptive and we urge you not to believe anyone who tries to convince you otherwise. It is loud, it is messy, and it is a far cry from your daily routine. For this simple reason, one of the discussion items we cover with clients during the design process is how they will operate during the construction process. Is a temporary rental available to them, …