If you are planning an architectural project, you need to take responsibility of the pre-design phase in order to avoid unnecessary expenses and confusion once the design and building of the structure begins. Those in Maryland who want to take the burden off themselves can choose to work with Dean Robert Camlin and Associates, Inc. They will guide your decisions at the beginning stages of your project, and prepare you for the project during the pre-design phase.
Prior to moving forward with your project and meeting with an architect, be sure you have set your budget and found your location. Speak with architects who have experience working in your area and with your needs. This will give you an idea of what your project will cost so you can create a reasonable and manageable budget. Many professionals will have plans to choose from, so you will have a starting point as far as construction and budget. Once you have chosen your architect, create a written contract. This may be something the architect can provide, and many are standard documents, but it is important to have an attorney look it over before signing. Treat this contract as you would any home improvement contract.
New Buildings
Once your location is chosen, it is important to provide the architect with as much information about the property as possible. In Maryland, this should include an Environmental Site Delineation. This form can be found online or provided by your architect and includes:
- Information about the name of the property
- Property tax information
- Current deed information
- Location information
- Whether the property is located on watershed property
- The election district
- Whether there is access to public or private water
- The surveyor’s contact information
According to Camlin, you as the client should provide the project program in addition to the Environmental Site Delineation form. The project program is a statement that describes what the design should accomplish. The architect can help you create this project program, as well as work with you on developing a budget. However, the program will also include information from other building professionals. If you are unable to supply this information to the architect in the pre-design phase, the architect will need to track down everything he needs to know. According to Camlin, architects may need to hire professional consultants to provide much of this information, adding even more cost to the project. This can add to the expense of your project, so the more information you provide to the architect, the less expensive the project will be.
Existing Buildings
If you are changing an existing structure like your home or office, there will still be a pre-design phase for your project. However, your responsibilities will not be as time-consuming. The first thing you should do is search for the original construction documents. If you are able to find the original blueprints and can give them to your architect, it will save a lot of money, research, and time.
According to Camlin, the original construction documents, “… can be an invaluable source of information regarding not only the measurable geometry of the building, but also what exists behind the finished surfaces. Many of our projects have dealt with existing buildings for which there were no extant drawings; we had to carefully survey the buildings and draw them, often making educated guesses on their hidden construction details, before any meaningful design could even begin.” So, f you are considering changing your current structure, take the time to track down the original blueprints. They may be in the home, the original designer may have them, or you may be able to get a copy from your city or town.
An architectural project is one of the most stressful yet rewarding experiences you can have as a family or business owner. If you have decided to build a home or add onto your current residence or office, take time at the beginning to plan for it. While you may be eager to jump in and begin planning your building project, organizing and completing the pre-design phase of your project saves you time and money. If you have questions about the pre-design phase of an architectural project, contact Dean Robert Camlin and Associates, Inc.
