Online/remote architects?

2 years ago

We hired a local architect to draw up plans for an addition. Despite the design process taking a really long time, we had a great experience, were happy with the plans, and ready to move forward. Issues came up that delayed start on construction and in that time we realized we are probably overbuilding our house. We’d like to scale back the plans but our architect is having health issues and can’t revise our drawings.

We live in a small rural town and I’ve exhausted every connection we have to find another architect. Local architects are all maxed out and not taking clients. I googled “residential architects” within a 2 hour radius and sent messages to everyone that seemed to do smaller projects. No responses.

Would it be insane to find an architect to do this job remotely? If not insane, how do I find a qualified architect like this? We have all the measurements and drawings of our current home in a PDF. And I know exactly what I want changed in the current design.

Featured Answer

Architectrunnerguy

2 years ago

Update: Beeboo22 and I had a long talk yesterday. I told her that renos/additions are tough enough when I can walk the project and impossible to do remotely. We need to see the existing structure. Which is why we only do new construction on a remote basis.

I'm familiar with the area she lives in and trust me, it's REMOTE. But there's a major university about 90 minutes away with many architects in that town so I suggested she try to reach out to one of them. A ninety minute drive isn't that big of a deal. I moved from Annapolis but still have a client base down there and it's a two hour drive one way and I do that about once a month. I have to charge for travel time as opposed to when I lived there but folks don't seem to mind.

Anyway, a very nice lady and we wish her the best of luck and to keep us "Houzzers" updated.

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Comments (11)

cpartist
2 years ago
check out architectrunnerguy on this forum. He works remotely and is excellent.
beeboo22
Original Author
2 years ago
@PDF, no, I need an architect. I know what changes I want but not how to design them.
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beeboo22
Original Author
2 years ago
Thank you, @cpartist. I’ll reach out to him.
chispa
2 years ago
Who did the engineering for the plans? Who is going to be stamping the plans?

Your local architects are definitely taking on new clients ... they just don't want to modify and be responsible for your plans, that another architect created.
beeboo22
Original Author
2 years ago
@chispa You may be right that they don't want to jump in on an existing project, but I’m not exaggerating when I say there are very few architects near me. They have the luxury of turning away projects of this size. I understand and appreciate what an architect does — I’m not looking for a draftsman.
PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
2 years ago
Make sure the first architect is okay with another architect revising their design.

The second architect may have a daunting task to come up to speed and revise what has been planned to alter an existing structure taking into account existing conditions and constraints.

Have you chose a builder yet? They may be so busy that their schedule may coincide the the local busy architect's schedule.

What state are you in?
chispa
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
In some situations there is nothing wrong with a draftsman. We designed our house with a local architect while living in LA, but it was for a build in FL. Our architect did the design, plans and elevations with us. Our builder in FL then took them to be re-drawn and engineered by a local draftsman in our area of FL. There were different building codes and engineering for FL. The draftsman made a few "minor" mistakes when re-drawing, but I caught them since I knew my plans really well. Our architect, who sent the draftsman all the electronic files, was also available to answer any questions by email or phone.

Maybe your architect can do the same collaboration with a local draftsman?
millworkman
2 years ago
Awesome update Architectrunnerguy. A true example of what makes this forum awesome.
beeboo22
Original Author
2 years ago
@architectrunnerguy is truly a gem! So knowledgeable and friendly! We talked through my project and he gave me great feedback and confirmed my reservations about trying to do this project remotely. I’m going to recast my net locally and find an architect that can evaluate the site in person. Thanks Doug!
PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
"@architectrunnerguy is truly a gem! So knowledgeable and friendly! "

I agree, but I'm still not sure about those clouds.