DeMarco Architect/DRE Group Inc

Thank you for your words and entrusting me with your project! Your project was very important to me as I wanted to create a home that you all could enjoy. Accessiblity design was the priority, but comfort and family living was the goal. All the best to you and your family!

I also enjoyed working with you as you had such a clear vision of what you wanted in your home. Glad to be of service and it is great seeing the completion of this project!

Thank you so much! This was a fun project and was done so quickly - it was a great team that you had on the job site too. Even the HOA at the Terraces was easy to work with. Thank you!

This complete kitchen remodel in Newport Beach had a very sensitive time frame. We were able to get plans approved 'over the counter' to get this remodel complete for the homeowner. Fully stamped and approved plans were done in just a few weeks! Thank you for working together on this project.

Thank you Cathy and Bruce! You have been a pleasure to work with too!!

Diane was a pleasure to work with. The existing home needed some work and I was happy to help refer her to some local contractors to help her. Thanks Diane

Since the homeowner wanted to remove bearing walls, I could not proceed without copies of the original approved plans from the city. Due to copywrite laws, I told her that the city required authorization directly from the architect or engineer of record before they could make copies. I spent many hours meeting with this homeowner and with city officials trying to move this project forward. I had no control over obtaining these plans. Normally, architects charge for all actual hours worked but since this was neither of our faults, I decided to refund her full deposit.

This all started in January when I initially met this homeowner at her house to go over her design requests and to let her know what is involved in the city permit process. We talked about the walls she wanted to remove. I told her that the walls were load bearing and explained that those walls were likely shear walls that cannot be cut or eliminated without involving a structural engineer.

I then went to the city to discuss her design request and while I was there, I looked at the original plans, permits and other records of her home. I could see the plan image on their computer screen, which showed that the area she wanted to remodel was load bearing with shear walls as I suspected. In order to remove these walls, we would need copies of the existing plans so that calculations and new structural drawings could be submitted to the city. Before we would be allowed copies, the city needed to get approval from the architect or engineer of record. On March 31st, I went to the city again to check on the status and still could not get copies. It was very frustrating, as the city still could not provide copies of the plans. Not having plans caused me to lose a nice project, plus it cost the homeowner time and was frustrating for her too.

To all homeowners, even if you are not remodeling, it is a good idea to get copies of your original plans from the city or county your property is located in. The plans will show the layout of the walls, framing and other details. This will greatly help plumbers, electricians, HVAC contractors and other trades better service your house and repair your property. If you are planning to remodel, having existing plans will save you money as a design professional will not spend needless time trying to get them for you, plus it will speed up your design process.

Thank you for your kind words and confidence in my abilities! I look forward to working with you on other projects.

Thank you Jan for the thoughtful words. I enjoyed working with you and your contractor. This project went smoothly because of everyone's attention to details.

Thank you so much for taking the time to review me. I am so glad that I was able to create a home for your entire family to enjoy.

It was a pleasure to help you with this small project