Winder Gibson Architects San Francisco Advises Homeowners to Hire a Residential Architect Now for Spring Remodels

San Francisco, CA (Vocus/PRWEB) December 09, 2010

The best time to start an exterior remodeling project is in the springtime, since the threat of rain is scarce and there are more willing workers; however, deciding on April 16th after taxes are in the mail to call a contractor and add a floor to a home or an addition in the back is not a good plan.

“A good plan starts in the autumn,” says Geoff Gibson of Winder Gibson Architects. “There are numerous tasks that need to be completed before the contractor can actually start swinging that hammer—which, actually, no one uses anymore.”
Before hiring a contractor, homeowners need a design, approval from the local authorities, and financing in place. For those planning to remodel in spring, Winder Gibson offers a checklist of tasks they should complete now.

HIRE AN ARCHITECT
Good communication leads to a great project. The right residential architect should be someone with whom the homeowner feels comfortable. The homeowner needs to be able to share personal information about habits, goals, and desires to a degree that they probably don’t even share with their friends.

COLLABORATE WITH THE ARCHITECT ON THE DESIGN
The homeowner should work with the architect to plan spaces from bathrooms to entire homes where they will want to spend time and will be glad they invested money. The more time the homeowner puts into the process, the more they will get out of it. The design process usually takes at least a couple of months.

OBTAIN PERMITS
The local authorities, typically the Planning Department, must grant the homeowner permission to build according to the new design. This can be tricky, so homeowners should select an architect that has experience in this critical task and can guide them through this aspect of the process. The authorities will want some form of neighborhood consensus, which can include meetings with neighbors, notification of the project, and even public hearings in more sensitive neighborhoods. After this, the Building Department will review the construction details and engineering. The length of the permit process varies greatly, often 4 months or more. The architect should be able to tell the homeowner what to expect.

CHOOSE A CONTRACTOR
When it’s time to talk contractors, the homeowner may have a specific builder in mind or they may initiate a competitive bidding process. In the bid process, the homeowner should interview several contractors and narrow the prospects down to three or four. It is not uncommon to ask each prospective contractor to submit a rough estimate early in the process to ensure the budget is achievable. Bidding usually takes 2-3 weeks.

CONTRACT
After the owner and the contractor agree on the final bid, the terms of the contract, insurance coverage, and the bank releases the funds for the construction loan, construction may commence. It’s time for the homeowner to celebrate at their favorite restaurant!
There are many factors that influence the duration of these processes, such as the scale of the project and the complexity of the permits. If construction is scheduled for spring, get started the autumn before, if not earlier. Organizing and planning a remodeling project over the winter has some natural advantages, too. Contractors are usually less busy and available for consultation. They may also offer more competitive pricing as they secure good projects for the coming year.
For homeowners who are serious about moving forward with that long overdue remodeling project, this is the time to look for an architect.

For more information about Winder Gibson Architects, contact Geoff Gibson at 415-318-8634 X4003. To see photographs of Geoff Gibson and John Winder’s projects, including the recently completed Market Street penthouse for YouTube co-founder Steve Chen, visit their website http://www.archsf.com.

ABOUT WINDER GIBSON ARCHITECTS
Winder Gibson specializes in commercial and residential remodeling and architecture in San Francisco and beyond. Both John Winder and Geoff Gibson have worked on a variety of projects, including exterior and interior design for new construction, additions, roof decks, bathroom and kitchen remodeling, and the renovation of historical buildings. Due to their experience and reputation, Winder Gibson’s clients frequently include other design professionals.

###

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/residential-architect/san-francisco/prweb8021628.htm