Here it begins! At this first stage or “Building Block”, the architect will visit the home and discuss the project’s parameters, such as the homeowner’s needs (what spaces need to be renovated or added on) and the potential budget (considering the homeowner’s comfort level and potential appraisal value).
At this meeting, the architect may be able to offer some off-the-cuff solutions for the homeowner to consider should he be hired (and perhaps the homeowner has some ideas too!). Also, the architect will likely already have knowledge of the area’s zoning requirements and historic district overlay requirements.
Since all of this often happens before the architect is hired, the architect will subsequently prepare a proposal letter that defines the architectural scope of work and fees. Building Block’s proposal letter is unusually detailed and specific to your project, and it lists every deliverable that you can expect to receive at each step of the process, as well as transparency of fees calculations.