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Working With An Architect
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Working With an Architect
Architecture                     Interior Design                        Planning                      New Construction                      Historic Restoration                      Renovation                     Design and Planning 
 
Architecture                     Interior Design                        Planning                      New Construction                      Historic Restoration                      Renovation                     Design and Planning 
 
Sustainable Design
The Type of Work That We Do

Walter Jacob Architects                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 2 Goodwins Court, Marblehead, MA 

telephone  781.631.7440                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 walter@architectwaj.com
How do you select and architect?  The best way to select an architect is to interview several that you have heard good things about.  You should treat the interview as a conversation and find out how well you converse with your potential architect.  It is important that your architect have the experience that you need but also that you feel that you can communicate well with them.  The most complex part of our work is trying to get an understanding of our clients sensibilities.  A successful design solution is achieved only when we understand who you are.  This is why our projects are a reflection of the people who we make them for and a reflection of us only in that our goal is to help our clients achieve their dreams.
 
 
 

Do you need an architect?  It is important that whether your goals are aesthetic, economic or otherwise that you find an architect that will add value to your project.  We do not see our work as a luxury but an investment and we work hard to make sure that the money that you invest in our work yields return in terms of a better quality product.  Remember that you are creating architecture that you will utilize for many years and if you are going to do it you may as well do it right.  Also consider that registered architects have been educated, apprenticed and tested to do what we do well.  If you are going to invest in an architects services you may as well work with a licensed architect.

How do architects charge?  The three most common ways that architects charge are, hourly based on pre-established fees, a percentage of the construction cost or on a fixed fee.  Our office will typically present you with a hybrid proposal where we charge a fixed fee for the things that you need (preliminary design, construction drawings, bidding and contracts, permitting and construction assistance) and an hourly fee for things that you want (color selection, material and furniture purchasing and selection).  We understand that people who hire architects like to plan ahead therefore we provide you with as much information as we can before we begin work. 
 
 
 
What should you expect when you call an architect?  When a potential client calls our office we initially discuss your needs.  We typically will set up a time to meet with you at your house and have your tell us your story and what your goals are.  Our job during this meeting is to listen.  After that meeting, we return to our office and think about your project, put together a work plan and a proposal.  We then set up a meeting where we tell you how we might approach the project and talk to you about our fees for the project.  In the end, we hopefully answer your initial questions and then we leave you with our proposal.  If when you have had a chance to review the proposal you accept it we begin our work.