Licensed Architect

Thank you for the review, John. I’m glad we were able to get your project through the County of San Bernardino Building Department successfully. It was a pleasure to work with you!
Miguel

Thank you for the kind review, Victor!
It was a real pleasure working with you.
It was a lot of fun helping you design your project.
Hope you have a lot of fun with your family and enjoy your brand new entertaining and working areas!
Miguel

Thank you for the kind words, Amy.
It is was my pleasure discussing your project with you.
As always, feel free to contact me any time you have a new project or have any questions about building design or the permitting process.
Regards!
Miguel

Roberto y Griselda,
Muchas gracias por la recomendación y por su confianza en mis servicios.
Fue un placer asistirles con su proyecto.
¡Buena suerte con la construcción de su vivienda y que la disfruten mucho!
Cordialmente,
Miguel

!Muchas gracias, Humberto!
Un placer ayudarle con su proyecto.
Thank you, Humberto!
It was a pleasure assisting you with your project.

Thank you, Binh!
I am really glad we got your project resolved and were able to get the construction process going.
Miguel

It is very sad to see a disappointed client...
I mentioned to the client, during our last conversation, that schematic design was approved which resulted in the amount withheld. There was a deposit and, as mentioned earlier, plans were developed and approved by the client. Progress payment was provided for further development of the plans, at which time, it was mentioned that completion of the next phase would take some time to complete. There were multiple site visits and iterations of the plans - well in excess of a regular project - with significant scope, program and layout changes. This complicated and delayed completion of the schematic package but, nevertheless, the schematic package was completed and approved. A request to revise the plans, yet again, was brought up. I agreed to proceed with further revisions and development of the plans for the additional revisions. I offered to postpone receipt a second payment since I knew and mentioned my unavailability to complete the next plan phase for a long while but the client insisted on payment. After what, I admit, was a long while (approximately 2 months) of no progress, the client offered to look for a different architect and requested partial reimbursement of payment. I apologized for the inconvenience and refunded payment for the incomplete portion of the work. The client complained and requested full reimbursement but I explained that approved schematic design had been completed and approved and I would not be able to comply. It should be noted that a previous attempt to provide plans for the same project had already been attempted. Multiple site visits for measuring took place and progress plans were completed and approved, however, the client insisted the building footprint be expanded to an area encroaching the property setback. I indicated I could not, knowingly, provide plans with a footprint encroaching the property setback line and the client opted to try and procure plans to his satisfaction from a different designer and attempt approval - in hopes that the plans would be approved anyway (as he was confident no objection would likely be raised by the reviewing agency and no complaints raised by the neighboring property owner). At that time, though I had already spent a significant amount of time and effort in the plan layout and had obtained approval of a preliminary layout, I agreed to refund the payment received to date in full - I was not interested in risking submission of plans only to be told of the encroachment issue and have to fully revise plans in order to comply with regulations. I only accepted to help the client with the same project a second time after he had profusely assured me that he would not insist on attempting the encroaching footprint anymore.
I must admit that the client was never late in payment and was always courteous in our dealings. I should also say that I successfully completed another set of plans for another remodel project for him without issue. It was only after I was not able to complete the project as quickly as he desired that the process fell apart, though I had warned him of the possibility of the process taking a long time as a result of my limited availability.
I would not completely discourage another designer from pursuing a project with him, provided the designer makes provisions for compensation based on time spent (on a per-hour basis). Client will tend to change his mind about the scope and request long calls, site visits and discussions which are difficult to assess for a lump sum fee estimate.
In the end, I wish the client success in his project as it seemed very important to him.
Sincerely,
Miguel

Thank you, Jose! - I'm glad you were satisfied with my services.
!Muchas gracias, Jose! - !Me alegra que mis servicios le hayan sido satisfactorios!

Thank you, Hector! - I was very happy to work with you and to see the end result of your project!

Thank you, Rene! It was a pleasure working with you and helping you in your project!

Thank you, Cristo! - Your project turned out great and you were a great client!
!Muchas gracias! - !Fue un placer trabajar con usted y muy satisfactorio ver como quedo su proyecto!