Small Firms Ideas Exchange

I’ve traded a few e-mails with Laura M. of Sacramento about the vicious circle. On the one hand, you have a client who requests additional services and then reported to Laura, “I don’t want to pay because it should not cost that much.” On the other hand, you have a contractor who may not like playing nice. The contractor finds faults with your drawings and reports/complains to the owner (not to you) or you have a contractor asking tons of questions when CCA is not in your scope. I’m sure we have our battle scars from these situations.

To preface the discussion, be honest with yourself regarding the quality of your design and document.  If you boogered it up and it’s not right or not clear, fix it quickly. Then do a postmortem and try not to make the same mistake again.

Quick Tips
One Hand:  The best “tip” I can offer regarding additional services I learned from an attendee in a seminar I presented at a atate AIA convention. When one of her clients asks for a service (which is not in the base contract), she will very politely ask then “Ok, we can do that and how would you like for us to bill you for that additional service?” The point here is that she makes it very plain and clear that the work requested by the owner is beyond the basic service bounds. This gives the owner the opportunity to be involved in crafting a solution. From my experience, when this type of open negotiation occurs, there is less chance the Ad-Serve won’t be paid; however, this predisposes that as architects we really know what’s in our contracts and dictates that we speak up for ourselves and not give away the farm. After all, the “Highway to hell is paved with good intentions.”  Don’t give away the farm with your kindness and willingness to serve!

The next “tip” I have is when the owner is trying to get something for nothing or a contractor is not playing nicely.

Other Hand: Try to have an open and honest discussion with the owner and his or her contractor before construction begins. The major key here is a proactive approach. If you didn’t include the “time” in your proposal, think of it as “marketing” and spend an hour setting up the project for execution success.  I’ve had success with approaching the owner with “Hey, let’s invite your contractor to a quick meeting to see if they have any additional suggestions or modifications to save you money. If we get it written down, you’ll get the full value of changes and you’ll have some documentation so that the inspection folks won’t make you change the project to match the drawings when you’re ready to move in.

Cautions
I suggest using some of the tactics from One Hand, i.e., “how shall I charge your for that?” during the friendly Other Hand discussion to be clear on professional services that are completed when the drawings are handed over and that you’re available for on-site consultations.

—Lisa Stacholy, AIA

So often when folks ask, “What do I do?” I respond, “I’m an architect.” There is definitely an “oh-ah” response. Then they ask, “Ok, what firm do you work at?” When I say that “I have my own small practice and I work on laboratories, animal facilities, fraternity houses (yes, pun’s intended) and commercial work,” their response is somewhat tempered, perhaps to say "Oh, you don’t work on skyscrapers." I think this is an opportunity for “educating the public,” I’ll engage them in a quick discussion of what architects can do for the built environment, assisting with strategic planning (and facts for sound business decisions), and I get their attention.

I am pleased to report on the AIA Small Project Practitioners Awards, which has recently posted the award winners from its fifth-year competition. I am especially pleased that the Architectural Record has included the award winners in its online magazine, http://archrecord.construction.com/news/daily/

Featuring these types of awards (small projects only) in a prominent publication has the ability to elevate the awareness of how wonderful “small” can be.

—Lisa Stacholy, AIA

I just read an interesting article in Architect Online, http://www.architectmagazine.com/industry-news.asp?sectionID=1006&articleID=1011085 .

Described is the “lost generation” of architects who graduated between 1990 and 1994 (I’m in that group). The article discusses parallels between the economic downturn in that time frame and the current situation. Specifically reviewing the dwindling numbers of architects with 15-25 years of experience (hint – that’s us) working in the profession 1-3 years ago. Seems to me there is a direct correlation between the exodus prior to entering the profession in the early ‘90s and the contemporary talent/experience available.

Having “been there/done that” in the early '90s, I did what all passionate young architects would do: I found a way to be in my chosen line of work. I tacked together 2 to 3 contract positions so I could just get by. Luckily for me, it worked and there was enough pick-up work around. As time went on, I developed great alliances on which my current practice is built. No, I didn’t start out saying, “Hey, I’m gonna have my own firm.” It sort of just worked out that way; and I’m glad it did.  Happy is the pathway you allow to deviate.

If I were in the graduating class of 2009, I might see things differently; granted history gives good perspective. Although I think Syracuse School of Architecture is correctly counseling its graduates, I want to go one further:

• Pass the LEED exam
• Learn Revit inside
• Get involved in your community for your profit  

The point is, make a 1-, 5-, and 10-year plan. Each plan will be more nebulous the further in the future they reach; or if “numbers freak you out,” call it Now, Soon, and Later. Don’t just go along for the ride; take the rudder and steer your own ship.

-Lisa Stacholy, AIA