Learn from our Experience

Learn from (our) Experience We’ve learned something every day of our 20+ (!) years in the business of working with people who want to build, add, alter or renovate. Here are the top six pieces of advice that we can share after working with clients on more than 500 projects ranging from one as small as a new deck to one as large as a 7 story university dormitory!

I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided; and that is the lamp of experience.

-Patrick Henry

1. Have a Master Plan (Vision) Many people start doing small scale renovations without considering the property as a whole, or assessing potential future needs.

You can’t (of course) foresee everything, but a lack of overall planning often handcuffs a future phase to ‘work-around’ something that’s completed and in a location that, in our experience turns out to be strategic.

This bird’s eye approach considers all project requirements and spaces together to develop a comprehensive master plan, which will show how everything works together and gives the ability to formulate a phasing plan, if desired, for construction.

2. A picture is worth a thousand words... ...and a detailed picture is worth a million!

Similar to #1, going to the building department with rough sketches or incomplete drawings is a recipe for disaster.

We plan your project with you. As ideas evolve, changes can be made on paper – much less expensively than when construction is underway. Thorough drawings also make it easier for contractors to accurately price and build your project. If the drawings are incomplete, how can you be sure what you are buying from the contractor? Lack of clear drawings can also mean not getting what you imagined - leaving you paying for extras or required additional work.

We provide three dimensional presentations to convey design ideas.

3. Don’t skimp on Design:

You get what you pay for.

If you are planning a renovation, then you are likely to need good advice first. It is easy to do something when money is no object – but not many people have piles of money laying around.

We want to give you the best information available. Sometimes, that advice is telling people not to build, or that their budget doesn’t support the vision they have—upfront. That’s valuable information that people are happy to know early in the process.

Ask us to save you money. Architects are skilled at planning. A well-planned design can save you the cost of building larger and less flexible spaces. We can also advise you on how to minimize

ongoing running and maintenance costs over the life of your property. Consider what value an architect (initial cost) can add in saving on operation & maintenance (ongoing expense).

4. Share your budget information No one can know exactly how much something is going to cost very early in the phases of a project—but experience and a defined project scope gets us in the ball park. Most people have an idea of what they would want to spend—however, their project goals don’t always align with

that figure. Consult with your architect accurately. It can be tricky and time-wasting if the budget is not clearly stated.

We allow for the unknowns, include allowances, and build a reasonable contingency into all of our estimates.

Most of us want value for the money we spend—even those who seem to ’want what they want’ have a budget. Spend some time with your architect thinking about the quality and level of materials, finishing and detailing you can afford—so you’re less likely to go over budget.

5. Let go of Preconceptions By all means tell us (and show us) what you do and don't like. Let us ask questions (some will be personal!) to understand how you use your property. Our job is to show you the possibilities that solve the issue you called us about in the first place.

Alterations, renovations and additions that are well conceived and constructed add significant resale value to a property. We can help you achieve a well designed project that meets your needs and works with your budget and time frame.

As architects, we are trained to solve problems in creative ways. Our broad knowledge of design and construction allows us to offer alternatives and options you might never think of on your own.

6. Design & Planning take time We know time is money. Whether fast-track, design/build, or a more traditional procurement method is anticipated, every single decision made in each stage of every project must be thoughtful - and take into account what comes next‌.

If you don't have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?

-John Wooden

Learn from (our) Experience Few people realize how complicated it is to build until they find themselves lost in the maze of design choices, building codes, zoning laws, permit fees, contractors, and so on.

No two building projects are exactly alike, so there is no single, clear-cut path to follow.

Building in today's marketplace is a complex undertaking requiring many different products and skills.

DE BIASSE & SEMINARA ARCHITECTS understands those complexities and works with you to design

an appropriate response, and protects your interests during the process.

Call for a consultation: 732 748 0600