Yes, of course an experienced and talented architect can design long distance. That said, it's a good idea to walk and see the actual site since the design of a custom house so often depends on the orientation and characteristics of the site.

That said, a lot can be done using Google Map/Earth, photos and descriptions from the owner.

Good luck on your project!

Virgil. Thank you so much, it's a relief to be assured that it can be done. In fact we purchased the lot based on google earth. Using google earth we were able to visit many lots and eliminate those with drainage and water issues, even right of ways. It's a great tool.

Absolutely. Just did it with Architect Runner Guy from this forum. Terrific outcome!

Only once did any of the architectural techs who designed the homes I built visit the site or the actual home--as we were packing to move out after five years.

Yes, long distance with an architect is perfectly doable. Actually, with local clients we communicate and send plans (PDF's) mostly thru emails.

RE Site: If the site has special conditions, you can get a local surveyor to do a site and grading plan (it shows the contour lines, they can even show the utilities and set backs) and email it to the architect. That will be more accurate to work with that just taking a look at a lot.

Thank you all so much for the input. Is there anything that should be done differently if the architect is not available to visit the lot.

Naf it's a pretty flat rectangular lot in a semi rural area with houses on both sides.

If the lot is flat, just send the architect the covenants. If there are none, give him the setbacks. I believe you know that you need to give him your needs and wants and preferred style, favorite materials and finishes, maybe give him a couple of inspiration pictures, etc.

Do you have a builder? The builder should be able to communicate with the architect if concerns arise.

We had to make an adjustment during construction because neither the long-distance architect (who made an initial site visit) nor the local architect of record (who made multiple site visits) sufficiently accounted for tree lean and spread.

Good luck P House!

Sure. Pensacola's house thread is here (with the embedded thread showing the original design) http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/4097196/the-new-plan-from-the-man-doug-burke-aka-architect-runner-guy?n=59 and another house that worked out well (made it simpler and reduced the size. Again the original is in the embedded thread) http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/3865411/project-design-update?n=11

I've found the radius limit for site visits and face to face stuff is about 100 miles so 200 miles might as well be 20,000 miles with regard to being remote.

Like Naf Naf said, a lot of things are done via PDF's anyway but for anything big (like a whole house concept) I always set it up where we have a "meeting" when I send the drawings over so I can walk the owners through it. Small stuff like "Can you make the pantry bigger?" I just do a drawing and send it without a discussion.

Our architects are in Seattle and we're building in Hawaii. We did one initial site visit and we'll have one more in the middle of construction.

IMO the key issue is the quality and completeness of the contract documents as well as the honesty and competence of the builder. FaceTime and photos can help.

Naf, h again, we are in the very beginning of the project, probably 2 years out. Just getting design ideas, asking questions, lurking around houzz etc.. I previously posted my 'Phouse 'wish list' on this sight.

Oaktown wow, it's amazing how many sets of eyes are needed, regardless of what we do in life.

Hello architectrunneeguy, pensacola

just read the threads all I can say is amazing. So different was the end product than what was originally or comceptualized by Pensacola. I hope to find an equally talented person to design my home. I really want a nice flow and no wasted space. Up here, in Canada, the weather varies from extreme cold, snow to heat and humidity...so I want a tight energy envelope and well designed.

It's just so scary to design our own home. We have lived in many different houses and have had one built from a 'tract' builder. We feel that we can't make a mistake, it's just such a huge investment.

Thank you for taking the time to give input to my question.

Lemme give you a HINT. Get with Architect Runner Guy and set up a call. Calls are FREE and you will be VERY happy that you did TRUST me !

Kayce..well that says it all, Hawaii too Seattle. Thanks for the input.

So true, JDS. Thank you..face time is a good idea

kayce03 -- Where are your building, if you don't mind saying? We have a small condo in South Kihei, but have talked about staying longer than just winter and building farther from the ocean (and the sand). It's been 'interesting' being a property owner in Hawaii!

We used an architect from Minnesota for our mountain Colorado home and couldn't be happier. We did have multiple site visits, but the architect was incredible and worked with our local builder and engineer to understand local issues/challenges, etc. I would have loved to have the architect on more site visits, but he has been readily available using photos, texting, phone calls, etc. Our architect had the experience of cabin/modern design we were looking for and we knew we loved his work. Don't know that I would do it with just any architect....but then again, I wouldn't design a home with just any architect, regardless of her/his location.

Hi Pensacola...we are so very early in this whole process. Not planning to build for 2+ years. don't want to bother anyone at this time. But I am just lurking around this forums easing, learning and posing questions. However, We just purchased our lot, so that's exciting.

An issue we have here in Ontario Canada. Is that all plans drawings designs etc. must be approved by a provincially licensed person i.e. Architect Etc.. It's the only province in this dang, country that has this requirement. So, regardless, even if an exceptionally talented pro from another province or country designed a home to be built in Ontario, it would still not be accepted here. The designer needs to have his/her own building code identification number, which requires additional studies/exams and of course this is in addition to other formal education/quAlifications.

No BCIN = No building permit.

Similar in the states. The architect needs to be licensed 8n the individual state. That can be handled in a few ways, in our case, the architect got licensed in Colorado to take our job.

Stanley, thanks not sure what the process is here. Something else to consider or learn about

chisue - we're on O'ahu!

BCIN is required, unless you draw it yourself, but it's no guarantee of architectural talent whatsover!

In Ontario, you have an alternative to architects--architectural technologists. Here's a list of members currently open to new projects. For higher-end homes, they're about one-third the cost of architects.

Haha worthy, I guess I could draw it myself, especially since I'm good at drawing stick people....

Serioisly, I thought of architectural technologists, but was not sure of their talent/ability, so you have shed some light on this for me. And thank you for the list. I am Surprised, that there are so few in my area, Ottawa. But mayb they are not all registered.

kayce03 -- Good luck to you! We bought our condo 15 years ago. We've had to adjust, from owning SFH's, to owning within an AOAO, and to the peculiarities of owning/maintenance in Hawaii.

I am currently working on a project about 800 miles from my office. I feel it is very important that the architect visit the site before design starts, I did.