architect for MODEST kitchen/house reno?

[Anonymous]

I am looking for an architect who will help us redesign the kitchen/back of the house. This entails redoing a kitchen and bath layout and opening the back of the house, and definitely requires some structural work/moving of load bearing walls. The budget is 85k, or so--modest, by DC standards, but we are in a modest (650k) older house. I feel that when I look at most recommended architects' portfolios on line, I see the giant mcmansions or major high end bethesda/potomac type renovations--not modest renovations on older, east of the park houses. We want to find someone who not only can, but perhaps even specializes in modest renovations of older houses.

TIA.

[Anonymous]

Look for an independent architect -- not one of the big firms. You'll pay either a flat fee or perhaps 6-10% of the budget. Give your area if you want specific recommendations. Lots of architects need work and this project is large enough for someone working solo.

[Anonymous]

Here's one possibility

http://www.braitmandesign.com/

[Anonymous]

I only know her slightly, but Jennifer Fowler of Fowler Architects has a great reputation in my neighborhood, Capitol Hill. Most of the houses around here aren't million-dollar homes so she would probably work with that budget. And she seems very nice!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here's one possibility

http://www.braitmandesign.com/

Her work looks great online but when I spoke to her about our remodel (roughly the same budget as yours OP) she said that was honestly too low for her to deal with. She was very nice on the phone, though, and had some good advice. Good luck

[Anonymous]

What's the point? Don't you need more space OP?

[Anonymous]

What's the point? Don't you need more space OP?

The point is I need a good architect who won't tell me that our project is too small or too modest (as a PP above suggested). We don't need more space, actually. We need a better designed space!

Keep the recs coming. I'm looking for independent architect recommendations! I did approach one design/build firm, as well, but I think I'd prefer the architect/contractor recommendation, esp as I think we might have our wonderful handyman do some of the subcontract work, if possible.

[Anonymous]

Be careful who you pick. We picked an architect that designs Porsches and are having a hard time building a Toyota.

Lesson Learned.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Look for an independent architect -- not one of the big firms. You'll pay either a flat fee or perhaps 6-10% of the budget. Give your area if you want specific recommendations. Lots of architects need work and this project is large enough for someone working solo.

Why would an architect charge a 6-10% budget? Why would I pay the architect more if I buy a 10000 dollar bathtub vs a 100 dollar one.

[Anonymous]

It's just how it works.

[Anonymous]

Try Eric Saul in Takoma Park. Tell him one of his current clients sent you.

[Anonymous]

remember that there are a ton of starving and unemployed architects don't get ripped off

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/19/unemployment-college-graduates-majors_n_3462712.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look for an independent architect -- not one of the big firms. You'll pay either a flat fee or perhaps 6-10% of the budget. Give your area if you want specific recommendations. Lots of architects need work and this project is large enough for someone working solo.

Why would an architect charge a 6-10% budget? Why would I pay the architect more if I buy a 10000 dollar bathtub vs a 100 dollar one.

I used an architect that did not se her price as a percentage of the budget, but when giving me an estimate of what her total fees were told me it usally came out o be about 5% of the budget. Tha bathtub example is not a realistc example. Larger scale projects involve more achitect time, as do high end porjects where they are designing cabinets, vanities, etc.

[Anonymous]

What park are you east of???

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here's one possibility

http://www.braitmandesign.com/

Her work looks great online but when I spoke to her about our remodel (roughly the same budget as yours OP) she said that was honestly too low for her to deal with. She was very nice on the phone, though, and had some good advice. Good luck

Wow, her projects look rather modest (nice but midest), so if they are costing more than $85k, I think the OP may be in touble. OP, if you find someone, please share.