November 28, 2006

Issue 1   

In this Issue

Over BSA-Architects’ 30 years of service we have received a huge amount of questions and we will continue to expect these, and so much more. This issue of our newsletter is devoted to our most frequent asked questions. This issue is mostly related to our residential clients but can also be associated with our commercial developments.

 

If the house was originally designed by BSA, we can design a house for you that is similar to the plan you admire. Our homes are custom designed so that you will never find another house exactly like yours, especially not in your area. If the home was designed by someone else, again, we can design your residence with a similar feel and style.

First and most importantly, BSA does not sell plans, we perform architectural design services in which the end result is a set of drawings to be used during construction of the project. The difference is that you do not just buy a set of drawings as you would out of a catalog - you have an architect that works with you and your lifestyle or business to create a customized design to suit your particular needs.

Because we tailor our services to each project we do not have set prices. There are averages and ranges, but also exceptions. After discussing your needs, the Architect will lay out possible fees with you for your consideration. All services are subject to Client approval and written contract.

We have several types of fee structures:

• Cost per Square Foot and Flat Fee: Fee is dependent on square footage of the project. For residential projects, it is most often broken down between living and non-living spaces and depends on the amount of design and detail required. We use Cost per Square Foot for simple projects where we start with an existing plan and just make a few modifications. Commercial projects vary greatly.
   

• Percentage Fee: Fee is based on a percentage of the accepted bid for Construction and can range from 2% to 10%, again depending on the complexity of the project, difficulty of the site, and the services provided.
   

• Hourly Fee: Fee is based on the number of hours put into the job. Because of the complexity, some commercial jobs are at a higher fee scale than residential jobs. Some of the projects have maximum fees that we agree not to exceed.

Again, every project is different, so please contact us.

 

Stock plans are drawings that architects and designers can pull from a drawer and they appear in a lot of "plan" magazines and books.

Some Advantages are:

• Plans are generally less expensive than custom homes.
• Builders that use their own stock plans can generally build the house faster

Some Disadvantages are:

• They are not customized to your needs and lifestyle
• They may not be suited to the area you intend to build in
• These plans may not follow your local building codes, including deed restrictions
• They may not have the right foundation for your soil type
• Changes to stock plans can be expensive and most find it more trouble than it's worth

These are just some of the reasons that BSA does not provide stock plans for residential use. Besides, most of our Clients who have had stock plans in the past find that designing a custom home to fit their family is more rewarding in the long run.

Please contact a leasing agent or realtor for information on spaces available for sale or lease. Once you have a space, BSA-Architects, Inc. can help you design the space to suit your needs. BSA can also help you determine if a specific space will be sufficient for your needs.